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Covering two-thirds of the Earth’s surface, our Ocean sustains the livelihoods of more than a billion people, fuels the water cycle for rain and freshwater, regulates the climate and produces most of the oxygen we breathe – wherever we are, our lives depend on a healthy ocean!
Unfortunately, years of overexploitation and neglect are shifting this spectacular ecosystem out of balance, and putting it under severe threat. Overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, climate change… We are now facing a crossroads regarding the state of the ocean, the changes we are witnessing and the legacy we wish to leave to future generations.
In WeSea, we focus primarily on coral reefs, as they are crucial ecosystems for the health of our Ocean. Covering less than 0.1% of the Ocean’s surface, they support more than a quarter of all marine biodiversity, maintain fish populations, protect shores from erosion and provide us with many important services.
The past decade has witnessed the rapid decline of these marine habitats, primarily as a result of ocean warming, exacerbated by local pollution. About 50% of corals have been lost globally, and only 10% of the preindustrial coral reef cover is expected to survive past 2050.
Such decline represents a major issue for humanity, not only because of the immense loss of marine biodiversity it causes, but also from a socio-economic perspective. Indeed, hundreds of millions of people live in tropical countries, and depend directly on the services provided by a healthy reef.
In the context of rapid decline of reef ecosystems worldwide, the corals of the Red Sea are unique in the world as they show incredible resistance to ocean warming and acidification. A unique characteristic inherited through a long evolutionary process driven by natural selection for heat resistance in the south of the Red Sea. This represents a real hope for the survival of at least one major coral reef ecosystem, which might serve as a source of corals for other reef environments in the future.
Yet, this coral refuge is increasingly threatened by coastal development, increasing the local pressure on the reef environment (chemical, noise, light pollution, physical damage, etc.). The hope to preserve such an exceptional ecosystem rests therefore on the necessity to protect the reef from local land and sea-based disturbances.
Lack of awareness is playing a major role in the decline of the marine environment, and education is a great tool to tackle this issue!
Education provides a better understanding of our surroundings, and helps us develop an environmental awareness and a respectful relationship with Nature.
As an organization based on research and science, WeSea places great emphasis on education.
We believe that obtaining quality education is the foundation for improving the state of the ocean and creating a community of advocates that care about the Ocean.
The journey of WeSea began when a group of young and motivated marine biologists met to conduct research along the beautiful coral reefs of the Red Sea. As researchers, we have had the amazing privilege of studying one of the most amazing reef ecosystems in the world.
However, we began to be deeply concerned when witnessing the global lack of awareness, and the negative impact we were all having on the marine ecosystem.
Driven by the will to open the eyes of the global community, the WeSea founders gathered an eclectic group of advocates and established the WeSea movement.
The journey of WeSea began when a group of young and motivated marine biologists met to conduct research along the beautiful coral reefs of the Red Sea. As researchers, we have had the amazing privilege of studying one of the most amazing reef ecosystems in the world.
However, we began to be deeply concerned when witnessing the global lack of awareness, and the negative impact we were all having on the marine ecosystem.
Driven by the will to open the eyes of the global community, the WeSea founders gathered an eclectic group of advocates and established the WeSea movement.
Covering two-thirds of the Earth’s surface, our Ocean sustains the livelihoods of more than a billion people, fuels the water cycle for rain and freshwater, regulates the climate and produces most of the oxygen we breathe – wherever we are, our lives depend on a healthy ocean!
Unfortunately, years of overexploitation and neglect are shifting this spectacular ecosystem out of balance, and putting it under severe threat. Overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, climate change… We are now facing a crossroads regarding the state of the ocean, the changes we are witnessing and the legacy we wish to leave to future generations.
Lack of awareness is playing a major role in the decline of the marine environment, and education is a great tool to tackle this issue!
Education provides a better understanding of our surroundings, and helps us develop an environmental awareness and a respectful relationship with Nature.
As an organization based on research and science, WeSea places great emphasis on education.
We believe that obtaining quality education is the foundation for improving the state of the ocean and creating a community of advocates that care about the Ocean.
WeSea is active mostly in the Red Sea area, one of the richest and most diverse marine ecosystems in the world. Located between the desolate deserts of Africa and Asia, the Red Sea is home to spectacular coral reefs.
Coral reefs are crucial ecosystems for the health of our ocean. Covering less than 0.1% of the ocean’s surface, they support more than a quarter of all marine biodiversity, maintain fish populations, protect shores from erosion and provide us with many important services.
While these high-value reef ecosystems are rapidly declining worldwide, as a result of climate change and local pollution, the coral reef of the northern Red Sea shows incredible resistance to ocean warming and acidification. A unique characteristic inherited through a long evolutionary process driven by natural selection for heat resistance in the south of the Red Sea.
Yet, this coral refuge is under serious threat as most neighbouring countries of the Red Sea are developing rapidly, increasing the local pressure on the environment.
It is our duty to protect what might be the last coral reef in the world.
