Submitted by: Kyle Gillespie
The ocean is jammed with fascinating creatures – giant squid, colourful crabs and exotic snails. We call them invertebrates – animals without backbones. They are 95% of life in the ocean and, like fish, are essential to humans for food and proper functioning of marine ecosystems. With my research I explore the most beautiful and threatened coral reefs in the world, working with communities who depend on invertebrates for food to determine how best to use marine reserves to ensure long-term survival of these creatures. My work challenges us to rethink ocean conservation to include this oft-overlooked yet critical 95%.
