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New Caledonia coral reef reserve
Noumea

The coral reefs surrounding Ilot Maitre are part of a marine reserve. Located close to l'Escapade Island Resort, this coral reef is visited by thousands of divers and snorkelers every year. The fish population and the corals are in excellent condition. The reef is a splendid example of coral reef symbiosis - the myriad creatures providing mutual benefits for the benefit of the total ecosystem.

Photosynthetic zooxanthellae live in the coral tissues and nourish the corals  with oxygen and carbohydrates. The zooxanthellae pigments give the corals their brilliant colours.

The corals provide the zooxanthellae with a protected living space exposed to sunlight, and supply them with carbon dioxide and phosphate and nitrate fertilizers.

The corals get the phosphates and nitrates by catching tiny plants and animals from the sea water and from fish droppings that rain down on the corals from the schools of fish that hover in and above the protective branches of the corals. If you look down at the tan coral nearly under the camera you can see two fish faecal pellets lying on the coral surface. The coral will consume the pellets in a few hours and spread the nutrients throughout the coral colony.

The symbiosis is now extended to another level. By declaration of the Government of New Caledonia many of the coral reefs in the world's largest lagoon are protected against fishing, collecting, and anchoring. In exchange, the people of New Caledonia benefit commercially by creating a recreation and tourism industry built on the foundation of our collective desire to hover over a living coral reef and be astonished by its complex beauty.

Copyright: Richard Chesher
Type: Spherical
Resolution: 8648x4324
Taken: 01/12/2009
Subida: 01/12/2009
Número de vistas:

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Tags: marine reserve new caledonia; coral reef; new caledonia; coral reef lagoon; world heritage site; diving new caledonia; underwater; diving; snorkeling; dive
More About Noumea

Noumea is the capital and vacation centre of the Islands of New Caledonia in the South Pacific. Noumea is a "French" city, but the 91,000 inhabitants are a very mixed cultural group with French, Melanesian, Polynesian, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and lots of mixtures of these. Over 60% of the population of New Caledonia lives in Noumea.Noumea is a peninsula on the southwestern end of Grande Terre and the central business district (Centre Ville) is next to one of the best natural harbours in the South Pacific. The lagoon side of the peninsula has two picturesque bays with white sand beaches and is called Anse Vata and Baie des Citrons. These twin bays are the international tourism capital of New Caledonia with hotels, restaurants and bars on the landward side of "La Promenade".First settled by the French in 1854, Noumea retains close political ties with France. It has excellent schools and public facilities - parks, recreation areas, exercise paths, schools and medical facilities. Today it is the fastest growing city in the South Pacific. There are 23 hotels in Noumea ranging from one to five stars and over 100 Restaurants.


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