According to Public Relations and International Affairs of Qeshm Free Zone Organization, MohammadHashem Dakhteh Said: The year 2018 was selected by the IYOR International Bureau as the Global Year for Coral Reefs, and on this occasion, targeted efforts were made to maintain and revive coral ecosystems by enthusiasts, volunteers, and public groups.
He added that during this time, a diverse range of activities was undertaken to clean up the coastal and marine resources of the Coral Site of Qeshm Zeytun Park , with the participation of over 120 volunteers and environment-friendly diver, that It is possible to conduct educational classes on coral reef health surveys, conduct observation of the health of coral reefs of Qeshm, Hengam, and Larak, with using two methods of reef check and Coralwach.
Environmental manager of Qeshm Free Zone Organization commented on other activities in this regard: Awareness and informational activities include poster printing of the event, posters on the protection of coral reefs, the distribution and installation of posters in different places, the publication of the second issue of the Persian Reef brochure, entitled "Coral Reefs", are another activities are done.
According to him, these brochures have been circulated in 2000 copies, with the financial participation of the JICA project team in Qeshm, which English and Persian versions of this brochure are located on the website of the Reef Check International Bureau, and its access is publicly available.
Dakhteh continued, "The life of 25 percent of the fish is directly or indirectly dependent on coral reefs."
Balancing carbon and nitrogen levels, protecting coastlines from damage caused by continuous influx of waves, storms and floods, creating a safe and rich marine environment, as well as providing adequate nutrients for the food chain and balancing ecosystems, are Part of the effects of these Coral reefs presence in the marine ecosystem.
Environmental manager of Qeshm Free Zone Organization emphasized: The use of corals is not limited to marine ecosystems, the use of corals in the field of jewelery and the manufacture of jewelry, the production of cancer treatment drugs, all types of painkillers, and the production of bone graft materials, the production of various types of proteins in the field of medicine, production of Lime in the construction industry, the use of corals in climate research, the production of laboratory environments, are among other uses of them in human life.
Dakhteh said: It means that at least 20% of the world's population lives directly on this fertile ecosystem.
He Pointed out that climate change is the greatest threat to coral reefs, and said: Coral reefs are so sensitive that they are at serious risk with only two degrees of temperature rise. Except for the warmth of the water, high sunlight, water pollution (acidification, chemicals) and the consequences of irresponsible tourism are also associated with the bleaching of coral reefs.
It should be noted that 8% of the coral reefs of the world live in the Persian Gulf. The importance of preserving these coral reefs once more is to know that they are a place for spawning and infant formations of aquatic species, and their destruction results in the death of marine organisms, and has irreparable consequences for the marine ecosystem and economics of fishing communities and coastal communities.