Healthy coastlines do far more than separate land from sea. They act as natural buffers, provide breeding grounds and food for marine life, prevent land-based pollutants from entering the ocean and store carbon. These are among the ecological functions highlighted by Megan Kolo Ki Holeva Ghymmie Green Tongamoa, a master's student in marine biology and pharmacology from Tonga, during the 2026 World Ocean Week in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province.

In a coastal city with a long maritime history, reflected in historic waterfront areas such as Shapowei, Megan's perspective brings attention to the natural systems that sustain marine ecosystems and coastal environments.