The Coral Triangle — The Book

About the book

The Coral Triangle book was published with the ambition of raising awareness about this important and unique ecological region and highlighting some significant conservation efforts. Its images give the reader a sense of the region's biodiversity and the seascapes one can encounter, and it also provides information on the rich cultures of the region and some of the threats and challenges the member countries face. The book describes the history and concept of the Coral Triangle and highlights key projects in each of the six member countries.

The authors lived in the Coral Triangle for decades and visited each country to learn about its people and customs, dived extensively on some of the world's most exciting reefs, and met many conservationists and researchers from NGOs, governments and the private sector.

As I often say, you cannot save what you do not love. You cannot love what you do not know. This book helps us to know, love and ultimately save the Coral Triangle. — Dato' Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin, President, WWF-Malaysia

Editions and details

What readers said

I would rate this book not as a coffee table book just because it is that size. I purchased three copies, two of which went as gifts to young people who need to know about this important work. The pictures are very good, but what is written in the book is what really matters. There are special case studies on how and what caring individuals and governments did to protect or revive their reefs. This book can be used as a textbook too. I would like to think, and do hope, this book will be a tipping point for many readers to fully grasp the problems faced by the reefs as well as the positive solutions that have been successful. — T. Hord Little

One of the most beautifully photographed and laid out books on the reefs in the Coral Triangle. Easy to read and informative about what can be done to protect the reefs. — Amazon customer

When you open this book you will immediately be taken by the incredible photography. The text provides an interesting and informative view on the biodiversity of the Coral Triangle, but goes further to paint a picture of the people, priorities and policies of the region that is easily accessible to the reader. The combination of beautiful photos and engaging text gives a rare view of this undersea world that is generally not recognised for its global importance, or for the threats that it faces. — Nathan Badenoch

The countries and undersea world of the Coral Triangle region are brought to life in a beautifully illustrated book. Conservation topics are covered in an easy-to-read style that really helps lay people gain an understanding and appreciation of the challenges facing the region. Even if you are someone like me who is not a SCUBA diver you will still be able to appreciate the book. — Sophie L. Cornelius

Extraordinarily interesting book with a wealth of information on the status and threats to coral reefs. Beautiful underwater and topside photography with amazing pictures. A must-have for policy makers, NGOs, divers and anyone else interested in the status quo and concerned about the future of coral reefs in the cradle of underwater life on our planet. — Hans van Rijn

The beauty of this book is that you as a diver get a lot of insight into the background of these countries in this region that focus on their marine biodiversity. By reading, you find out why there is a unique coral reef present and how it is protected. — Carlo Vreugde, editor, Duiken Magazine

The authors

Ken Kassem and Eric Madeja wrote and photographed the book after decades of living and working in the Coral Triangle. Eric Madeja is a conservation photographer and explorer whose work across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste forms the visual basis of the book and of the original coraltriangle.org site.

Other published work by the authors includes the features Divided Islands, Pearls in Shells, Fresh Fish, Hotspot Layang, Growing Pains, Still in Love, Uncertain Grip and Dive to Live.

Where to go next

• BiodiversityThe habitats and flagship species the book documents.
• People and culturesThe human side of the Coral Triangle.
• ConservationThe threats and the regional response.
• Coral Triangle overviewReturn to the homepage for the complete reference.