(I) Reefs are under attack from all sides. (II) Coral reefs are one of the oldest and most diverse ecosystems on Earth. (III) Hurricanes and tsunamis can cause injuries that take decades for a reef to repair naturally. (IV) Meanwhile, destructive fishing practices, pollution, ships running aground and climate change pose an even more serious threat. (V) A report issued by the UN Environment Programme warned that 30 per cent of the world's coral reefs are either already dead or seriously damaged.