Coral Triangle Day Date in the current year: June 9, 2024

The term “Coral Triangle” refers to an area of the tropical marine waters that covers the exclusive economic zones of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and East Timor (Timor-Leste). The Coral Triangle covers less than 2% of Earth’s ocean area, but it has 76% of all known coral species, more than 3,000 species of fish, and the greatest extent of mangrove forests in the world. It is sometimes referred to as the “Amazon of the seas” because it is the center of the global marine diversity just like Amazon is the symbol of the world’s rainforests.

Unfortunately, the biodiversity of the Coral Triangle is endangered because of climate change, poor marine management, local disregard for rare and threatened species, and a number of other factors. Coral Triangle Day was established by the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security to raise awareness of the importance of safeguarding the biological resources of the Coral Triangle.

The first Coral Triangle Day was held on June 9, 2012, the day after World Oceans Day. It has been observed every year since then, in all six countries geographically located in the Coral Triangle. On this day, organizations and individuals concerned about the protection of biodiversity hold various events and activities, such as coastal clean-ups and mangrove planting, seafood exhibition and dinners, markets, beach parties, contests, and more.