Raja Ampat has some of the most diverse reefs in the world. Raja Ampat is a national marine park in Indonesia. The sea life is incredible, and the coral formations are beyond belief. Strong currents in this region add a constant flow of nutrients to the reefs. Even the fish must swim sideways to avoid being swept away. It's not easy to get to, but it's worth it. Although this may be the last ecological stronghold, I'm optimistic that other reefs can one day regain their vibrance through conservation and strategic growth. 

The Raja Ampat reef systems are home to many types of corals, among which this appears to be a scleractinian, commonly known as stony corals or hard corals. These marine animals belong to the phylum Cnidaria and are characterized by their ability to build a hard skeleton. The individual corals are known as polyps, which have a cylindrical body topped with an oral disc featuring a mouth surrounded by tentacles. I used inaturalist and wikipedia for some of this information.

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Living Corals (in colour)

The APOY 2024 Panel

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