Where Blue Becomes Green: Lessons From Thailand’s Turbid Reefs 

A tidal wave of coral research and restoration has swept the global oceans and lapped at shallow coastlines over the past few decades, spurred by the increased appreciation for coral reef ecosystems and the value these habitats contribute to planet Earth. Read the full article…

Navigating Growth in Conservation Careers and Finding Balance in an Unbalanced World

For many of us working in conservation, the path we’ve chosen is more than just a career, it’s a way of life. But as we move forward in our roles, the weight of what we see and experience can take a significant toll. Read the full article…

Pioneering Welsh Seagrass Nursery Growing & Sowing Seeds to Restore Lost Meadows

A new Welsh nursery is at the forefront of a mission to restore the UK’s lost seagrass meadows and equip organisations and communities with the tools to bring back biodiversity and support the removal of carbon dioxide from our atmosphere by restoring these vital habitats. Read the full article…

Guy Harvey Honored as The 2024 SeaKeeper of The Year

Guy Harvey, a renowned marine wildlife artist and conservationist, has been a steadfast champion for ocean conservation and its inhabitants. His vision and passion for marine biology led to the establishment of the Guy Harvey Research Institute (GHRI) at Nova Southeastern University in 1999. Read the full article…

Cleaning Stations & Coastal Cruising – Under the Waves with Karim Iliya, October 2024

A Hawaiian green sea turtle cruises beneath the waves off the coast of Hawaii. This turtle was eating algae off the rocks, seemingly unaffected by the powerful turbulent water all around. When not eating algae, these turtles spend much of their time laying on the nearby beach. See more…

SSI Launches Global Ambassador Program to Elevate Diving Community

Scuba Schools International (SSI) is thrilled to announce the launch of its Global Ambassador Program, featuring nine extraordinary individuals worldwide. These SSI Ambassadors represent the pinnacle of expertise in freediving, scuba diving, extended range, and other specialities. Read the full announcement…

Book Suggestion: “Megalodons, Mermaids, and Climate Change” A New Book that Separates Fact from Fiction

Columbia University Press announces the forthcoming release of “Megalodons, Mermaids, and Climate Change: Answers to Your Ocean and Atmosphere Questions,” a compelling exploration of the natural world by renowned marine scientist Ellen Prager and veteran meteorologist Dave Jones. This engaging work, set to be released on October 22, 2024, promises to captivate readers with its accessible approach to complex scientific concepts. Find out more about the book…

Feature Destination: LMMA Practitioners in Tanzania Gather to Strengthen Collaboration Efforts for Marine Conservation

Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMA) have emerged as a promising model that address challenges faced in marine conservation in the Western Indian Ocean region. Read the full article…

Feature Destination: Tanzania, a Bucket List Destination Like No Other

Tanzania is a land where nature, adventure, and culture blend into one of the most extraordinary travel experiences on the planet. Read the full article…

Feature Destination: Actions to Strengthen Marine Turtle Conservation Agreed at UN Meeting in Tanzania

Governments, scientific experts and stakeholders gathered over four days in an international meeting that ended today to discuss pressing conservation issues for marine turtles in the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia region. Read the full article…

A Teen Environmentalist Attending The UN Summit of The Future Shares Her Fears & Hopes for The Planet 

Standing alone at the United Nations headquarters in New York, I grasped my newly printed Office Depot business cards as if they could unlock influence. Read the full article…

Piping Plovers: Climate Change Threatens Endangered Shorebirds by Lindsay Keller

Piping plovers have been struggling for decades. All three U.S. populations are federally protected–two are threatened and the third is endangered. Read the full article…

New England Aquarium Scientists Spot Critically Endangered Right Whales in Unusual NY Feeding Ground

North Atlantic right whales were seen in the Hudson and Block Canyon areas south of Long Island along with an abundance of fin and humpback whales, various dolphin species, manta rays, whale sharks, tuna, and sea turtles. Read the full article…

Sacha Lodge Announces New Private Birding Tours in Ecuadorian Amazon

Sacha Lodge, an easily accessible 5000-acre private ecological reserve in the Ecuadorian Amazon, is thrilled to announce an array of NEW private birding itineraries. Of the 1,600 bird species registered in Ecuador, 600 have been seen at Sacha Lodge. Read the full article…

MSU Researchers Build Connection Between Forests & Drinking Water, Outreach & Conservation Strategies Follow

 Michigan forests play a key role in offsetting greenhouse gas emissions through carbon storage, provide wildlife habitats and increase biodiversity, offer ample recreational opportunities to the state’s population and visitors, and supply timber resources and other forestry products Read the full article…

National Geographic’s Sharkfest 2024: Discover the Wonders of the Shark World

National Geographic’s Sharkfest 2024 is poised to take viewers on an incredible dive into the world of sharks, offering a four-week-long documentary packed with 26 hours of original programming. Read the full article…

The FREE Weekly Conservation Post and Jobs List

Signing up for the free Weekly Newsletter & Jobs List will get you a round-up of upcoming events, webinars, meetings, reports, funding opportunities, photos of the week, and recent postings to the jobs list.

To sign up for our free subscription, please Click Here,  or email us Here. 

Since 2004, SEVENSEAS Media has fostered an informal and non-partisan platform to promote understanding of key issues and challenges while building partnerships across an increasingly diverse group of marine conservation professionals and students.

Our mission is to promote communication and build partnerships across the global marine community and to identify and address gaps in the community’s work. SEVENSEAS Media achieves this through multimedia promotion and partnerships. The community consists of a diverse and growing group of participants, including non-governmental organizations, government agencies, foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, fellowship programs, independent consultants, and academia/students.

If you are interested in contributing or getting involved, email Here. 

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By Sophie Coxon

The island is washed into the water, clouding the blue sea green, shielding the reefs from the searing sunlight and settling in a blanket of soft murk over the undulating coral landscape. 

A tidal wave of coral research and restoration has swept the global oceans and lapped at shallow coastlines over the past few decades, spurred by the increased appreciation for coral reef ecosystems and the value these habitats contribute to planet Earth. The kaleidoscopic kingdoms of sunlit reefs, sparkling in crystal clear waters and pulsing with shoals of fish, turtles and the shadows of sharks, attract a huge influx of attention due to their aesthetic appeal and hence receive the majority of research funding. But other kinds of reef exist, and may hold invaluable resilience to pressures and stresses which could unlock new hope for the future of conserving the planet’s struggling coral reefs. If we can look deeper than surface-level appearance and place value in grittier realms, the tools required to combat coral reef decline may be within reach.

The island of Koh Phangan is well stamped on the maps of young backpackers and travellers, known for its infamous full moon parties and zen yoga community. The island acts as a stepping stone for divers on their way to the marine paradise of Koh Tao, one of the world’s most heavily dived regions, famed for its vast coral reefs, anemone beds and vortexing tornadoes of trevally and barracuda. However, the reefs of Koh Phangan, only a few kilometres south, lie relatively unscathed by the bubbling swarms of divers. This is no doubt due to the fact that these reefs are turbid, exhibiting vastly different ecological conditions to the crystalline water column and flamboyantly technicolour reefs of Koh Tao. In the summer of 2024 I spent three magical months on this island, and my understanding and appreciation of these cloudy, silted, plankton-infused reefs took spark.

Turbid reef systems are significantly understudied in comparison to their oligotrophic counterparts, though are beginning to gain interest as the struggle to develop long-term coral restoration techniques intensifies. Characterised by high levels of suspended sediment, increased algal cover and low coral diversity, turbid reefs inhabit vast areas of shallow tropical and temperate coastlines, including 30% of the Coral Triangle, the most biodiverse reef region on the planet. High sedimentation levels are often classified as a stress to coral reefs, however naturally turbid systems are well adapted to these murky conditions, and may even benefit from the abundance of silt, plankton and organic matter that enshrouds them.

Whilst corals growing within turbid ecosystems exhibit slower growth, they also show improved stress tolerance, reduced bleaching and lower mortality rates than those in non-turbid systems, and are robust against the plethora of pressures burdening shallow ecosystems provoked by climate change and growing anthropogenic exploitation. Recent research has suggested that the suspended particles reflect a large percentage of UV radiation which exacerbates bleaching, and the inhabitant coral colonies are accustomed to being smothered by sediment, constantly producing mucus which sloughs off any surface debris. Plainly put, turbid reef systems are not the picturesque kingdoms of tropical colour and aquatic enchantment that springs to mind with the words ‘coral reef’, however the biodiversity they harbour and ecological services they supply are no less important.

I was integrated into a team of researchers at the COREsea station on the north shore of the island, spending long days diving in the various bays collecting data for long-term monitoring projects, as well as conducting my own research study on fish assemblages across reef zones. We assessed reef substrate composition, bleaching cover, coral predators, fish communities and giant clam abundance across the survey sites, compiling everything in a decade-long data archive – a live picture of the trends, dynamics and fluctuations occurring on Koh Phangan’s murky reefs. No other similar research has been published on this specific region, leaving a gaping hole in the scientific literature and our understanding of Thailand’s tropical turbid reef systems.

Though naturally turbid and rich in organic matter, with the onslaught of development and increasing tourism, Koh Phangan’s reefs are becoming inundated with threats. Construction and forest clearing on the island’s junglish slopes loosens sediments, which are rapidly washed into the surrounding coastal waters with every monsoon downpour. The footprint of the tourist industry is also leaving its mark, with pollution and disturbance accelerating every year, combining with the effects of climate change to push the already overfished and exploited reefs to the edge.

Researching these ecosystems is crucial to protecting and preserving them; without establishing biodiversity baselines and monitoring the temporal changes occurring, it is impossible to predict future outcomes and support new protection measures that may be fundamental to preventing degradation.

Throughout my time working on these reefs, I became closely familiar with the patterns and quirks that instilled a certain charm to the ecosystem. There was as much beauty here as any other reef I had dived, it just took a more willing eye to see it. After only a few days, I felt at home in the greenish murk, the glowing white streak of the transect line the only sense of direction in the vast expanse of coral canyons, pillars and plateaus that stretched out around me. Nudibranchs could be found speckled across the boulder corals, where pairs of butterflyfish sucked corallites through puckered lips and cushion stars lay, plump and velvety, like pincushions placed on coral plates. The jade-tinged haze of the water cloaked everything in mystery, blurring the silhouettes of fish into translucent shadows and suggestions, obscuring the treasures of the reef from all but the most vigilant observers. However, the blinding white scars of bleached coral gradually became more and more abundant across the reefs, like warning beacons signifying the beginnings of a disaster.

Not long into my stay, an ocean heatwave singed the globe, and the Gulf of Thailand simmered. As sea temperatures soared into the mid 30s (Celcius), a plankton bloom engulfed the bays and the visibility dropped to between 1 and 2 metres. The water column was thick and green, and the monsoon rains sent rivers of sediment pouring onto the reefs every afternoon. The dives went on, and we continued monitoring the reefs, watching them turn a ghostly white before us. By the end of my three month research period, huge areas of the reefs were completely bleached, and finding a coral that was unscathed by bleaching was near impossible.

Whilst bleaching is not immediately fatal, if conditions remain inhospitable for a lengthened period, many coral colonies, some close to a century old, may succumb to this slow and pallid death, leaving nothing but empty skeletons to dissolve in the acidic seawater that once gave them life.

The snapshot of coral bleaching I was exposed to throughout my research period was both eye-opening and eye-watering. The severity of the issue was branded into my mind with every subsequent dive, the tally marks in the ‘fully bleached’ column multiplying each time, filling the clipboard with grim black smudges. The toughest, most resilient reefs we know of are now failing under the crushing weight of climate change and human interference. But the future of these reefs can still be steered towards vibrancy – to lose them would mean a loss of food and livelihood for the hundreds of local communities who call the Gulf of Thailand home, and would have deep-rooted impacts across marine food webs, affecting biodiversity throughout a vast region of ocean. The cushioning effect provided by the toughened forms of ancient bouldering corals would leave coastlines open to the elements, and the fronds of life on the reef, woven tightly into the tapestry of the local cultures and traditions, would be lost.

There is more to turbid reefs that initially meets the eye, and we must enrich our understanding, connection and appreciation of these systems to grant them a place in our restoration frameworks. With more research, like the work carried out by the dedicated team at COREsea, the mysteries of these reefs and the limits of their resilience can be uncovered and shared across global reef conservation.

About The Author

Sophie is a qualified scientific diver, with a degree in Ecology and Environmental Sciences and an avid passion for tropical coral reef ecosystems and the fish communities within them. She has worked across the globe in Indonesia, Thailand, and her home country of Scotland, in marine projects including seagrass and oyster reef restoration, coral reef restoration, shark and elasmobranch monitoring, and fish assemblage assessments. She is now studying a master’s degree in Marine Systems & Policies, and uses writing to illustrate her experiences of ocean science in a creative, though informative way, aiming to help people connect with the marine realm and spark a passion to protect it.

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For many of us working in conservation, the path we’ve chosen is more than just a career, it’s a way of life. But as we move forward in our roles, the weight of what we see and experience can take a significant toll. Habitats destroyed. Species extinct. And sometimes, even when we do everything right, the larger systems at play don’t allow for the success we hoped for. The science was right when we were children, and today we’re witnessing the price being paid- by the planet, by humanity, and by the fragile ecosystems we’ve devoted our lives to protecting.

In the face of these overwhelming realities, it’s not uncommon for conservationists to experience burnout. We ask ourselves: Is it alright to take a break from conservation? What happens when hope is lost?

The Need for Breaks and Rediscovery

Yes, it is alright to step away, to take a pause. In fact, it’s necessary. Conservationists, like anyone else, need time to process, recharge, and reflect. Without these breaks, our mental, emotional, and physical health can deteriorate, which ultimately limits the impact we’re able to make.

When hope seems lost, that’s precisely when it’s time to reevaluate and ask some fundamental questions about why we’re here. Are we dedicated to the mission of an organization? To the preservation of a specific species or habitat? Or are we here because of a deep-rooted desire to make the world a better place, whether for a single animal, plant, or entire ecosystems?

Continuing Education: Traditional and Non-Traditional Paths

One way to rekindle that initial passion is through continuing education. This doesn’t always have to be in the traditional sense, such as earning an additional degree or certification, though those routes certainly offer value. But for those who have spent too much time behind a computer, it might be worth considering more non-traditional forms of education: immersive field experiences, hands-on workshops, or even short-term volunteering in places that inspire you. These opportunities not only provide a chance to learn but also serve as a powerful reminder of why we began this journey in the first place.

If you’re feeling stuck, getting out into the field, even for a short time, can shift your mindset and offer new perspectives. Seeing conservation work in action, whether it’s in a remote forest or a coastal village, has a way of reigniting the passion that brought you here in the first place.

Redefining Success in Conservation

Conservation is not a linear career path. The traditional markers of success, climbing the ladder, earning a promotion, don’t necessarily apply here. It’s always healthy to redefine what success looks like, both in terms of your personal life and professional career. You may find that after years of dedication, your goals and aspirations have shifted. And that’s okay.

We didn’t get into this field for money, but our health and security need to come first. Whether that means shifting to a role that prioritizes balance, or reimagining the impact you want to have, there’s no wrong answer.

Finding Contentment Amid Loss

The heartbreaking reality is that we won’t save everything. But that doesn’t diminish the value of what we do. It’s important to find peace with where we are- not necessarily where we’re headed. This means accepting that while we may lose biodiversity, habitats, and even hope at times, we must continue striving for that balance between what’s possible and what’s realistic.

At the end of the day, most of us in this field are here because we care deeply. We care about the world, its people, and the creatures that inhabit it. Our daily efforts, even if small, make the world better than it was yesterday. And that’s enough.

So, whether you’re at a crossroads in your career or just need a reminder of why you’re here, remember that it’s okay to pause, rethink, and redefine what matters most to you. After all, the only constant in conservation is change- both in the world around us and within ourselves.

Giacomo Abrusci, Executive Director, SEVENSEAS Media