Mara-do Beauty

[Anchor Lead]

A recent study has confirmed that Korea's southernmost island Mara-do is an ecological treasure trove, home to many rare animals and plants. Up next, we will take you to the beautiful underwater world surrounding the island. Let's take a look.

[Pkg]

This is Korea's southernmost island Mara-do, designated as the nation's natural monument No. 423. 30 meters deep in the wide, blue ocean, oddly-shaped fish emerge. A scorpion fish characterized by its large head and mouth comes into view. A closer approach to the rocks reveals a habitat of sea sponges, one of the most primitive animals on earth. Roughly 40 rare species have been discovered in the government's ecological study on Mara-do Island. They include giant sea anemones which resemble bouquets of red flowers stony coral, and even Euplexaura crassa coral, a protected aquatic species. They retain their natural original colors, unaffected by the widespread coral bleaching phenomenon observed around the world.

[Soundbite] Han Dong-wook (National Marine Biodiversity Institute) : "The presence of various living organisms is made possible by rich biodiversity, a very stable food web and a healthy ecosystem."

The latest study also confirmed the growth of subtropical marine algae such as plocamium telfairiae and cladophora wrightiana Harvey in Korean waters, demonstrating the effects of climate change.