- We must not destroy this

When Statsraad Lehmkuhl was moored in Naha on Okinawa, content producer André Marton Pedersen took the ferry out to the Kerama archipelago. An hour's boat ride brought him from the city to a natural wonder world, 28 small and even smaller islands, surrounded by coral reefs.

National park

There are 248 different species of corals here, and the entire archipelago has been protected as a national park since 2014.

Coral reefs are colonies of coral polyps, related to the common sea anemones living individually on the seafloor. The coral polyps, on the other hand, live in intricate and beautiful structures of lime and other minerals, often in symbiosis with algae. The algae are like plants, they convert sunlight into nutrients, which is shared with the polyps.

Vulnerable

The reefs are home to a multitude of other species of fish, shellfish, snails and other organisms.

The corals are vulnerable, and cannot withstand either fishing gear or kicks from snorkeling flippers. Coral polyps are picky about temperature too, if it gets too hot the algae disappears. Then the corals lose their color, and the polyps don't get as much nutrition as before.

A tribute

On four of the largest islands lives a special stock of deer, which over a few hundred years have adapted to the conditions here. But it was life underwater that André wanted to explore.

"What is One Ocean Expedition really about?

It's about taking a deep breath and diving into a unique and vulnerable world.
It's about letting yourself be fascinated by the butterfly fish's beautiful play of colors.
Admire the graceful flight of the old turtle over the sandy bottom.
Marvel at the coral's structures and secret hiding places.
It's about feeling small in the grandeur of nature.

There are so many beautiful creatures in the sea. This is a tribute to them on the Kerama Islands in Okinawa.

Come, join us - wear a diving mask and snorkel.

Take a deep breath.

There is something beautiful waiting."