Erik Solheim, the Head of UN Environment, said this is a make or break year for the world’s coral reefs. 2018 has been declared as the third International Year of the Reef, which, among other things, aims to strengthen awareness globally about the value of, and threats to, coral reefs and associated ecosystems. We discuss the possibilities of this international initiative at both a global and local level, with Julian Hyde, the General Manager of Reef Check Malaysia.