Shark conservation isn’t theoretical. Around the world, a growing number of reefs show what happens when sharks are allowed to return.

One of the most striking examples is Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park in Mexico. After the local community committed to a full no-take reserve, shark populations rebounded, and overall fish biomass increased dramatically. The reef transitioned from a degraded system to one of the healthiest in the region, supporting both biodiversity and sustainable tourism.

In Indonesia, the Misool Marine Reserve tells a similar story. Once heavily fished, Misool is now a network of protected zones where sharks and rays are thriving. The return of apex predators has helped stabilize reef communities and protect coral diversity in one of the most biodiverse marine regions on Earth.

The country of Palau took an even bolder step by declaring its entire exclusive economic zone a shark sanctuary. This national-level protection has safeguarded sharks while reinforcing Palau’s identity as a leader in ocean stewardship. Healthy shark populations have become an ecological asset, supporting reef resilience and ecotourism alike.

These successes share common themes: long-term protection, enforcement, and patience. Shark populations recover slowly, but their ecological impact is outsized. When sharks return, reefs become more stable, more diverse, and better able to withstand disturbances like bleaching and storms.

This gallery celebrates sharks not as villains but as keystone species, quietly holding reef ecosystems together. Their protection isn’t just about saving sharks; it’s about preserving the balance that allows coral reefs to endure.

Sharks: Holding the Reef Together

One of the most fascinating discoveries in modern marine ecology is that sharks don’t have to eat something to control it.

A 2025 study published in Communications Biology by researchers from the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the University of Western Australia revealed a surprising connection between shark fishing and outbreaks of coral-eating Crown-of-Thorns Starfish, which are one of the most destructive threats to Indo-Pacific reefs.

The link isn’t direct. It’s behavioral.

When sharks are present, smaller predatory fish, such as snappers and emperors, adjust their behavior to avoid becoming prey themselves. They stay close to the reef floor, where sharks are less likely to attack. Scientists describe this as a “landscape of fear.” In this safer zone, smaller predators feed on seabed-dwelling invertebrates, including juvenile Crown-of-Thorns Starfish.

When sharks are removed through over-fishing, that fear disappears. Smaller predators venture higher into the water column, shifting their diet to fast-moving prey like small fish and squid. While this allows them to grow quickly, it leaves the reef floor unchecked, and starfish populations begin to surge.

Using environmental DNA analysis, researchers confirmed that far more reef fish species consume Crown-of-Thorn Starfish than previously believed, but only when their behavior keeps them near the seabed. The study also found significantly fewer starfish outbreaks in marine reserves where shark fishing is prohibited.

Sharks don’t need to hunt starfish. Their presence alone reshapes behavior across the reef, creating conditions where coral has a fighting chance. My shark gallery celebrates the these architects of fear.

Sharks: Holding the Reef Together

Sharks are often framed as symbols of danger, but on coral reef, they are better understood as architects of balance.

As apex predators, sharks sit at the top of the reef food web. Their presence helps regulate populations below them, ensuring that no single species becomes too abundant. This population control is not about constant predation; it’s about influence. By shaping where and how other animals feed, sharks help keep reef ecosystems diverse, productive, and stable.

When sharks are present, mid-level predators, such as large reef fish, remain in check. this allows herbivorous fish to do their essential work grazing algae. When that balance holds, algae stays under control, corals have room to grow, and reef structure remain intact.

When sharks are removed, the system begins to unravel.

Without apex predators, mid-level predator populations often explode. These mesopredators consume herbivorous fish at unsustainable rates, reducing grazing pressure on algae. As algae spreads, corals are smothered, biodiversity declines, and the reef’s ability to recover from disturbance weakens.

Over time, this cascade reduces overall fish biomass, impacting not only marine life but also the human communities that rely on reefs for food and livelihoods.

Sharks also play a role in nutrient cycling. By moving across large areas, they redistribute nutrients through the ecosystem, linking reef habitats to deeper waters and helping sustain productivity in places where nutrients are otherwise scarce.

This gallery honors sharks not as threats, but as indicators, species whose presence signals a reef that is still functioning as it should. Their silhouettes may move quietly through the water, but their influence shapes the reef from top to bottom.

Sharks: Holding the Reef Together

Protecting parrotfish works, but not quickly, and not magically.

Some of the clearest evidence comes from places where parrotfish have been protected for decades. Bonaire and Bermuda are often cited as success stories. In these regions, long-standing fishing restrictions have allowed parrotfish to grow large and abundant. As a result, algae remains under control, and coral cover has stayed higher than in much of the surrounding Caribbean.

The key isn’t just protection, though; it’s time. Large, mature parrotfish don’t appear overnight. Thy are often the first fish removed in unprotected areas, long before they can reach their most effective grazing stage.

Belize offers a valuable reality check.

In 2009, Belize became the first country to implement a nationwide ban on harvesting parrotfish. The response was encouraging: within just two years, herbivorous fish biomass increased by more than 30%. But coral cover didn’t rebound right away. Decades of accumulated algae took years to reduce, even with more fish grazing.

This doesn’t mean protection failed. It means ecosystems heal on their own schedules.

Scientists now emphasize that parrotfish protection is most strongly linked to reef resilience, the ability of a reef to survive disturbances and avoid permanent collapse, as opposed to rapid coral regrowth. In a warming world where bleaching events are becoming more frequent, that resilience may be the difference between reefs that persist and reefs that disappear. Protecting parrotfish buys reefs time.

This gallery is a celebration of the quiet resilience. Each painting represents not just a beautiful fish, but a living strategy, one that helps coral reefs endure in an uncertain future.

Parrotfish: Shaping the Reef

For a long time, parrotfish were seen and coral’s caretakers, fish that helped reefs recover by controlling algae. But recent research suggests something even more interesting is happening.

Parrotfish and corals don’t just coexist. They respond to each other.

When a reef is damaged by bleaching, storms or pollution, algae often grows rapidly. For corals, this is bad news. For parrotfish, it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet.

As algae increases, parrot fish populations often rise. With more food available, more fish survive and graze more intensively. Over time, this heavy grazing can reduce algae levels enough to make the reef hospitable for coral again.

As corals begin to recover, the balance shifts. Algae becomes less abundant, and parrotfish populations naturally level off. Rather than a one-way relationship, scientist now understand this is a feedback loop, a dynamic partnership that helps reef stabilize after disturbance.

There are important nuances to this relationship.

Not all parrotfish contribute equally. Large, mature parrotfish do far more grazing the small juveniles, which makes fish size just as important as fish numbers. In places where fishing removes the biggest individuals, reefs lose much of that grazing power.

Species differences matter too. Some parrotfish are heavy grazers, while others occasionally nibble live coral. But, taken as a whole, the benefits of parrotfish grazing overwhelmingly outweigh the damage from those occasional bites.

This complexity is part of what drew me to painting parrotfish. Each species plays a slightly different role, and each painting in this gallery reflects that diversity. Together they tell a story of partnership, one where coral and fish shape each other’s futures.

Parrotfish: Shaping the Reef

Parrotfish are some of the most joyful fish on a coral reef. They glow in impossible colors, move with confidence, and crunch loudly as they graze. The are also some of the hardest-working animals in the ocean, and, for decades, scientists have known that reefs with lots of parrotfish tend to be healthier reefs.

That is why parrotfish are often called the gardeners of the reef.

Parrotfish spend most of their day eating. Up to 90% of their time is devoted to grazing on algae that would otherwise grow unchecked. This matters because algae and coral compete for the same space and sunlight. When algae takes over, coral struggles to survive. By constantly mowing the reef, parrotfish prevent corals from being smothered.

Their work doesn’t stop there. As parrot fish scrape algae, they leave behind clean surfaces, exactly the kind of space young coral larvae need in order to settle and grow. Without those bare patches, many new corals never get a foothold.

And then there’s the sand.

Parrotfish bite chunks of coral as they feed. They grind it up and excrete it as fine white sand. While this might sound destructive, it is actually part of a healthy reef cycle. This process helps recycle nutrients and creates the sediment that forms beaches and sandy bottoms. While sandy bottoms seem barren, they are vital ecological habitats that support high biodiversity and act as nursery habitats for a wide range of fish and invertebrates.

For decades, scientists observed a clear pattern: more parrotfish = less algae = more coral.

That relationship is why parrotfish protection became such a focus of reef conservation, and why they have become a symbol of reef health.

This gallery celebrates parrotfish not just for their color and character, but for the invisible work they do every day. These paintings are a tribute to the quiet labor that keeps coral reefs alive.

Parrotfish: Shaping the Reef

Why Komodo?

This corner of the Coral Triangle is world-famous for its biodiversity, for good reason. Strong currents fuel healthy coral growth and support an extraordinary variety of marine life. The reef fish here aren’t just beautiful, they’re essential to the reef’s function and health.

A Second Series of Gifts

I’ve created a second series of 20 small paintings, each featuring an iconic fish species found in Komodo’s vibrant waters. Like the nudibranch series, these paintings will be given away as I travel through Indonesia. The purpose is the same: to spark conversations, say thank you to fellow ocean stewards, and remind us all the reef life is worth protecting.

Meet the Komodo Icons

From the shy pipefish to the regal rays, each piece in this series highlights a fish whose presences indicates a thriving reef ecosystem. The paintings may be small, but the idea behinds them is big: Art can be a bridge between wonder and action. Click here to view the gallery My Galleries

Now the the project has wrapped, I’m proud to share that it did more than I could have imagined.

A Quick Recap

This year’s 100 Day journey wasn’t about painting every day. It was about doing something every day, no matter how small, to support ocean conservation. Along the way, I changed my diet to reduce my carbon footprint, switched to reef-safe products, supported marine non-profits, and created a series of 20 small nudibranch paintings to give away in exchange for the chance to urge recipients to join me in my endeavor.

What Happened Next

• All 20 Paintings found homes almost immediately: I was pleasantly surprised at the project’s reception. Most of the paintings went to people already passionate about ocean health, so, it was a bit like ‘preaching to the choir’. Still, the experience was both validating and heartening.
• Recipients shared their own conservation stories: the paintings became a conversation starter, a thank-you, and a reminder of shared purpose. More than once, someone (a recipient or a bystander) said “Great idea; I want to do something like this.”
• An opportunity emerged: one of the biggest surprises was connecting with someone involved in shark research and conservation. That initial contact has turned into a painting commission for a fundraiser supporting their organization, a perfect example of art as a catalyst for action.

Nudibranchs that Started It All

These tiny, surreal sea slugs became the face of my project for a reason: the are visually striking, easy to fall in love with, and quietly vital to reef ecosystems. Their popularity proved that art can soften science, and turn alien-seeming creatures into something relatable.

View a selection of some of the nudibranchs from the 100 Days ‘give-away’ here My Galleries

What’s Next?

I’m continuing to build new galleries focused on different reef creatures: sharks, parrotfish, corals, and more. Each haw their own ecological story to tell. As the art grows, so does the message: The ocean is worth fighting for, one painting at a time.

If you’d like to follow along, share your own reef connections, or support future projects, feel free to reach out.

Thank you to every one who made 100 Days of Coral Reefs such a meaningful experience.

Kelley, The Ocean Artivist

Marine Protection: National Networks vs. Customary Stewardship

The Philippines has a well-established network of over 1,600 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), supported by a mix of national legislation and local government partnerships. However, enforcement varies widely. While some MPAs are thriving, others are “paper parks” with limited impact.

One standout is Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO world Heritage site known for its pristine coral and strict protection measures. It serves as a model for how tourism, scientific research and enforcement can work together.

In contrast, the Solomon Islands leans on Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs), zones cared for by local communities using traditional knowledge and customary marine tenure systems. These efforts are deeply rooting in local culture and can be remarkable effective in small-scale settings.

The Arnavon Community Marine Conservation Area is a great example, jointly managed by three communities who came together to protect turtle nesting grounds and coral reefs. It was the first LMMA in the Pacific and remains a success story for grassroots conservation.

Climate Adaptation: Building for the Future vs. Safeguarding the Present

The Philippines is investing in climate-smart infrastructure and early warning systems as part of a broader climate adaptation strategy. It also participates in the Coral Triangle Initiative, which supports biodiversity conservation, sustainable fishing, and ecosystem-based adaptation.

Meanwhile, the Solomon Islands’ conservation work focuses more on basic ecosystem resilience and food security. Projects like Ridge to Reef link forest and reef conservation by reducing runoff and pollution, aiming to support reef health holistically.

Both countries are doing what they can with what they have. The Philippines has more technical expertise and funding, while the Solomon Islands demonstrates how tradition and community leadership can sustain conservation from the ground up.

Outreach and Education: Different Voices, Shared Goals

In the Philippines, outreach often includes NGO campaigns, ecotourism education, and school programs, supported by strong networks of scientists and conservationists.

In the Solomon Islands, oral tradition and village-based learning take center stage. Storytelling, song, and local leadership are used to teach environmental stewardship in a way that fits the cultural context.

Why This Matters

These contrasting approaches show us that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to coral reef conservation. Large-scale enforcement and climate policy are powerful, but so are small, deeply rooted, community-driven efforts.

Both countries are fighting to protect the same ocean, using tools that reflect their unique realities. As and artist and advocate, I find hope in their shared commitment and imspiration in their differences.

Sources:

• World Bank. (2021). Climate Risk Country Profile: Philippines.
• World Bank. (2021). Climate Risk Country Profile: Solomon Islands.
• Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF)
• The Nature Conservancy. Communities Supporting Sea Turtles.

Population Density and Coastal Pressure

• Philippines: with over 110 million people and high population density, especially in coastal area, the Philippines experiences intense direct human pressure on reefs, from overfishing, destructive fishing methods (like blast or cyanide fishing), and coastal development. Urbanization and toursim also strain coral ecosystems.
• Solomon Islands: with a much smaller population (just of 700,00), the Solomon Islands has lower direct human pressure on reefs. However, limited infrastructure and resource constraints make it harder to monitor and manage reef health, leaving them vulnerable to illegal or unsustainable fishing.

Disaster Exposure and Recovery Capacity

• Philippines: the Philippines is hit by more frequent and intense typhoons than almost any other country. These storms can physically damage coral reefs and disrupt recovery for years. while the country has more established disaster response systems, reef ecosystems often struggle to bounce back due to human pressures and slower policy enforcement.
• Solomon Islands: the Solomon Islands also experiences cyclones, but less frequently. However, the country has lower institutional and financial capacity to respond and adapt to reef damage. As a result, even less frequent events can have long-lasting impacts.

Reef Use and Economic Dependence

• Philippine: Coral reefs are closely tied to commercial fisheries and tourism, meaning reef loss would impact the broader national economy. There’s also a greater push for reef conservation through marine protected areas. Unfortunately, enforcement is uneven due to political and economic complexity.
• Solomon Islands: Reefs are primarily important for subsistence fishing and local livelihoods. There is less commercial exploitation, but also fewer alternative income sources, so local communities are more vulnerable to changes in reef productivity and health.

In short, while both nations are highly vulnerable, the Philippines faces more acute, human-driven reef pressures, while the Solomon Islands struggles with capacity to respond and adapt to climate and ecological changes. Both situations highlight the need for tailored, community-driven reef conservation strategies.