A recent three-month scientific expedition in Papua New Guinea has made significant strides in understanding and protecting one of the most biodiverse marine regions on Earth.

The Coral Triangle, often referred to as the “rainforest of the ocean,” is home to over 2,000 species of fish and 600 species of hard coral, making it one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world’s oceans. The area’s vibrant marine ecosystems, however, face increasing threats from illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, climate change, and pollution.