The Weedy Sea Dragon is the only species belonging to the Phyllopteryx genus. This fish species is a close relative of the seahorse and the Leafy Sea Dragon. It is found in different states of Australia.
NOAA is working to understand and address key threats to coral reef ecosystems: the impacts from global climate change, unsustainable fishing practices and pollution. The top threats to coral reefs â global climate change, unsustainable fishing and land-based pollution â are all due to human activities. These threats, combined with others such as tropical storms, disease outbreaks, vessel damage, marine debris and invasive species, exacerbate each other.
A quarter of the world's fish rely on coral reefs as nurseries. The zooxanthellae algae which live symbiotically inside the coral polyp give the corals their amazing colours. Properly managed coral reefs can yield an average 15 tonnes of fish and other seafood per sq km per year.