Diver pieces back together smashed marine ecosystem

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Video: Future Guardians — Coral Gardener

Having immersed himself in marine conservation for over a decade, Wang Fengguo possesses a profound understanding of the havoc that extreme typhoons can wreak upon coral reefs, which stand as some of the planet's most diverse ecosystems, amid the escalating climate crisis.

The destructive force and powerful currents generated by such typhoons smash into the reefs, causing them to break into thousands of fragments. In the aftermath, the corals resemble puzzle pieces scattered all over the seafloor.

"When extreme typhoons occur, they trigger underwater floods," the 42-year-old said, reflecting on the devastating typhoons that struck Wuzhizhou Island in Sanya, Hainan province, around 2008. "They bored deep gullies into the coral beds."

A fervent diving enthusiast, Wang has found solace and delight beneath the ocean surface. This ardor and his sorrow for the deteriorating coral ecosystems have seamlessly evolved into his present post as head of ocean management at Wuzhizhou Island Tourism Resort, where he merges his diving skills with his unwavering commitment to coral conservation.

Through his extensive involvement in coral restoration, Wang has seen firsthand the transformative power of the collaborative endeavors of businesses, institutions and the government, yielding a mutually beneficial outcome: the revival of vibrant underwater landscapes alongside the promotion of economic growth.