Local residents of Kuｍejiｍa， a town in Okinawa of southwestern Japan， recently discovered an iｍｍense and thriving colony of corals １００ kiloｍeters off the coast of the prefecture’s ｍain island. In a recent follow-up survey， the World Wildlife Fund (ＷＷＦ) found that this colony is not only large， but it is also iｍpressive because of its vitality， which is unusual since ｍany coral colonies around the world are known to be threatened by bleaching due to global warｍing.

These colonies， on the other hand，  appear to enjoy certain conditions unique to the Okinawa island region that include warｍ subtropical waters carried by the Kuroshio Current， an absence of silt froｍ runoff and the water’s high salinity， all of which are necessary for large coral growth. 

In a related study， Spanish and French scientists observing coral colonies in the Ｍediterranean discovered that the recovery of ailing coral health was directly proportional to the length of tiｍe and restorative conditions of being left undisturbed froｍ fishing and other huｍan activities.

According to another new finding by UK researchers， the survival of coral reefs rests in part on the reｍarkable ability of baby corals to perceive sounds eｍitted froｍ parent colonies.
Believed until now to drift aiｍlessly， the tiny young organisｍs actually detect and navigate towards the sounds of activity coｍing froｍ coral reef habitats.

However， participating study scientists have expressed concern that huｍan-ｍade noise froｍ boats， shipping， and other activities could interfere with this vital lifesaving skill.
Ｍeanwhile， the Japanese scientists who discovered the Kuｍejiｍa coral are also advocating the region’s protection to help in replenishing depleted regions.

Our appreciation World Wildlife Fund and British， Spanish and French researchers for your findings of these ocean wonders. We pray that such precious coral colonies will continue in their pristine state and that all ｍarine ecosysteｍs ｍay likewise be allowed to flourish through huｍans’ protection.

In an October ２００９ videoconference in Indonesia， Supreｍe Ｍaster Ching Hai urged for the conservation of Earth’s coral reefs through our conscientious actions.

http://www.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/18_36.html
http://web-japan.org/nipponia/nipponia42/en/feature/index.html