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Article:
The State of the Reef by: Sheldon Hey Coral reefs around the world are under siege - FACT. Threats from over-fishing, urban coastal encroachment and rising sea temperatures are destroying sensitive corals and devastating the marine life they support. According to The United Nations, in the last four years ten percent of the world's reefs have died, and nearly a quarter are sick and suffering. Think about that for a second. More than half of the living reefs are seriously threatened, and scientists estimate that if today's trends continue mankind will cause the irreversible loss of reef formations and related fish species within 40 years. Fortunately, there is a growing dedicated global effort to reversing this decline and to finding new - and sustainable - ways to manage the last of Earth's remaining coral reefs. Here are some reef facts for you to consider: Coral reefs are home to more than 25 percent of all marine life - yet occupy less than one percent of the ocean floors. Coral reefs have been around 100 million years and are the largest living structures on earth. Australia's Great Barrier Reef is more than '2
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