Dive the coral reefs of the French islands with Alexis Rosenfeld

Inspiration

MayotteTahiti-French PolynesiaNature and Outdoor ActivitiesCoastalWith Family

Alexis Rosenfeld / Divergence
© Alexis Rosenfeld / Divergence

Reading time: 0 minPublished on 12 March 2024

This photojournalist has been passionate about the underwater world for as long as he can remember. Through his magnificent images of corals, he is helping to attract attention to these precious ecosystems now under threat. Here, he focuses on the French islands of the tropics with an extract from his exhibition Récifs coralliens, un enjeu pour l'humanité (Coral reefs: a challenge for humanity). From Mayotte to French Polynesia... Dive in!

Incredible biodiversity

Alexis ROSENFELD / Divergence
© Alexis ROSENFELD / Divergence

Created in 2010, the Mayotte Marine Nature Park was the first to be designated by France in its overseas territories. The waters around the island are home to an incredible level of biodiversity. With most of its coral reefs protected and only marginally affected by pollution and bleaching, underwater life is dense here.

Coral reef monitoring

© Alexis ROSENFELD / Divergence
© © Alexis ROSENFELD / Divergence

The Mayotte Marine Nature Park teams are on site to undertake real-time monitoring of reef health and trends in parameters such as temperature.

Few damaged areas

© Alexis ROSENFELD / Divergence
© © Alexis ROSENFELD / Divergence

Central to environmental concerns on the island of Mayotte in the Camoro Islands of the Indian Ocean, its coral reefs are reasonably healthy, with relatively few damaged areas.

Green sea turtle

Alexis ROSENFELD / Divergence
© Alexis ROSENFELD / Divergence

It is not unusual to come across beautiful green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Mayotte lagoon. Essentially herbivorous, these turtles graze the seagrass meadows.

Anemones and clownfish

Alexis ROSENFELD / Divergence
© Alexis ROSENFELD / Divergence

Corals provide shelter and perfect conditions for a spectacular level of biomass. Here, anemones are home to clownfish among the branches of staghorn coral (Acropora sp.).

Taravai channel

Alexis ROSENFELD / Divergence
© Alexis ROSENFELD / Divergence

In the Gambier Islands of French Polynesia, snorkelling is the best way to marvel at the beauty of the underwater world in the Taravai channel. In the crystal clear waters of the Pacific Ocean, you can see an enormous number of Acropora corals.

Coral trees

Alexis ROSENFELD / Divergence
© Alexis ROSENFELD / Divergence

In Moorea lagoon, teams of divers are propagating cuttings of coral on coral trees.

Laboratory of Excellence

Alexis ROSENFELD / Divergence
© Alexis ROSENFELD / Divergence

French biologist Yann Lacube is researching the effects of ocean acidification on coral. He works on the programme run by Dr. Laetitia Hedouin at CRIOBE, one of the most highly respected French laboratories engaged in coral ecosystem research. Since 2010, CRIOBE has been running the CORAIL Laboratory of Excellence involving 9 overseas institutions and 4 universities.

Go further: - Alexis Rosenfeld’s photographic exhibition Récifs coralliens, un enjeu pour l'humanité runs from 2 June to 30 August this year at Unesco headquarters in Paris to mark IYOR (International Year Of the Reef) 2018. This immersive multimedia exhibition offers instant viewing of its video reports and 360° panoramic images by scanning the QR codes on the exhibition panels.

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