New Caledonia, A Place To Be
Worth Protecting: See the Vibrant Marine Life of New Caledonia’s Coral Sea Photos show the diverse and beautiful species along world’s second-longest barrier reef July 12, 2018 By: Christophe Chevillon & Aline Schaffer The diverse ecosystems in New Caledonia’s marine waters—including this reef wall in Chesterfield plateau, 500 kilometers west of the country’s main island—contain thousands of marine species, including damselfish and 48 species of sharks. Ten years ago, the lagoons of New Caledonia—a huge area of ocean containing several coral reefs and associated ecosystems—earned designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The staggering biodiversity of this area, which includes islands and coastline, features brilliant, healthy corals and thousands of species of plants and animals found nowhere else. The wealth of New Caledonia’s marine life extends well beyond its lagoons. In an effort to conserve the country’s natural ecosystems, the government cre...