A Crown-of-Thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) on a badly damaged section of a coral reef in Gaaful Dhaalu atoll, in the faer south of the Maldives.

acanthaster planci coral reef marine biodiversity maldives bleaching ocean health sea life conservation environmental threats ecosystem damage species underwater tropical waters loss degradation overfishing habitat destruction star restoration ecological balance climate change aquatic pollution protection observation resilience coastal management habitats