Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, known for its high diversity of marine life, is being featured as one of the main attractions at the ongoing United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) photo exhibition at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France from October 7-30, 2020.
Entitled “Protecting UNESCO’s Marine World Heritage through scientific research”, the photo exhibition was prepared in collaboration with the Monaco Explorations Campaign, a partnership agreement between the Paris-based UN agency, through its World Heritage Marine Programme, and the Principality of Monaco.
The photo exhibit features photographs taken in 2016 by the Monaco Explorations during a scientific exploration in UNESCO World Heritage marine sites, which includes the Philippines’ Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.
Tubbataha Reefs is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the center of the Sulu Sea and covers the Tubbataha and Jessie Beazley Reefs.
It is home to a great diversity of marine life, including whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, and Napoleon wrasse.
The reef ecosystems support more than 360 species of corals and almost 700 species of fish.
The reserve also protects one of the few remaining colonies of breeding seabirds in the region.
In April 2016, Sovereign Prince of the Principality of Monaco, Prince Albert II visited the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park accompanied by Philippine Ambassador to France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro.
Other marine sites featured in the UNESCO photo exhibit were Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary in Colombia, Rock Islands Southern Lagoon in Palau, and Lagoons of New Caledonia.