Ep 6. Coral Seas

In season 1 episode 6 of Blue Planet - Seas of Life titled Coral Seas, viewers are taken on a journey to explore the complex and fragile ecosystems that thrive in the world's coral reefs. The episode starts with a beautiful display of the coral seas and how every marine life relies on the coral reefs.

The episode showcases some of the world's most stunning coral reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the reefs found in the tropics of Indonesia. It highlights how coral reefs provide a crucial habitat for a vast range of marine creatures, from tiny invertebrates to huge shoals of fish.

As the episode proceeds, the audience learns about how coral reefs work and how they have evolved to be resourceful in adapting to challenges like rising sea temperatures, pollution, and human encroachment. Besides, the episode also reveals the threats the coral reefs are facing, including bleaching, overfishing, and pollution, which are causing them to deteriorate at alarming rates.

Viewers are introduced to the symbiotic relationship between the coral and the creatures that live within them, including fish, turtles, and sharks. It details how the coral reefs act as a natural barrier to protect the shoreline from storms and how they provide important economic benefits through tourism and fishing.

The documentaries go on to show how the coral reefs come alive at night with a wide array of creatures that only venture out after dark, which includes creatures like octopuses, crabs, and crustaceans. Some coral reefs have a special phenomenon called 'coral spawning,' where the corals release their eggs and sperm into the water in a spectacular event that generally goes unnoticed.

The episode takes a closer look at the Coral Triangle, a region straddling Indonesia, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea, which is home to some of the most diverse coral reefs in the world. They have over 1,700 species of reef fish and are critical breeding grounds for sea turtles, whales, and dolphins. However, they are also very fragile and delicate in nature.

Throughout the episode, viewers are presented with the impacts of human activity on the coral reefs and the surrounding environment. For example, the pollution and garbage in the oceans are taking a toll on the coral reefs. There is also the illegal trade of endangered marine animals such as sea turtles, which is pushing them to extinction. Besides, climate change is also causing the oceans to absorb more carbon dioxide, making it more acidic, which affects the coral reefs' growth.

Overall, Coral Seas is a stunning and informative episode that provides a captivating look at the world's coral reefs. The episode brings to light the significance of these beautiful underwater ecosystems and the pressing need to protect them from the growing threats they face from human intervention and climate change. It inspires viewers to reflect on their impact on the environment and take action to preserve the coral reefs and the world's oceans for future generations.