RP in danger of losing its coral reef biodiversity

The coral reef colonies of the Philippines, considered the "rainforest of the ocean" for their bio-megadiversity, could end up dead and with them the rich marinelife. The country is blessed with the richest coral reef in the world, said to be even richer than the Australian Great Barrier Reef. The Philippines as part of the Coral Triangle has the richest marine bio-diversity in the world.

The country has a coastline longer and larger than the continental United States and its surrounding waters can feed the most of Asia and the world if sustainable fishing practices are maintained.

Because of the live reef fish commerce the country’s megadiversity is in danger. Most of the live fish catch in the Philippines are collected with the clandestine use of cyanide — a deadly broad spectrum poison also used in mining — dissolved in water and squirted into reef crevices. Stunned the fishes swim in crazy loops right into the waiting nets of catchers.

Aside from cyanide fishing, other destructive practices are antiquated methods of fishing such as muro ami, kayakas, trawl fishing These destructive fishing methods contributed to the massive collapse of the country’s coral reef colonies’ vast expanse of 33,000 square kilometers. These days, a measly six percent (1,980 square kilometers) or less of the then pristine coral reef colonies remains in good condition. The rest are either dead or in bad condition.

In the whole world, over 10 percent of coral reef colonies have been destroyed and lost to disease, coral bleaching, pollution and overfishing. More than 58 percent of coral reefs are considered under threat from human activities.

Although cyanide fishing is not the only cause of marine degradation — the others are dynamite fishing, overfishing, pollution, siltation, erosion and debris dumping — it is the one single most destructive factor in the whole seascape. It is not only a reef killer, it is also a brood stock killer. The culprit is the live food fish trade — mostly exports to Hong Kong — amounting to P66.5 million annually. Add to that the aquarium pet fish trade to the United States, Canada and Europe.

Over the last four decades some one million kilograms of cyanide had been squirted into the Philippine coral reef colonies. At the latest estimate, there are now some 6,000 divers using cyanide in the country. Live fish disgorge most of the cyanide in a few days. A certain minute level of the poison does not harm diners.

The Ecological Society of the Philippines (ESP) urges the Philippine government and its environment agencies to protect and conserve this vital marine food source. Failing in that the last bastion of natural capital and resources will be depleted and destroyed. Due to ever increasing value of coral reef colonies and the strong possibility they will continue to deteriorate due to man-induced and natural problems they will continue to deteriorate.

More innovative projects should be initiated for their protection. One such initiative is the setting up of Marine Protected Areas (MPA) where fishing is banned. Plus education for the fishing communities and enforcement of laws. Failing in this the country will suffer from food shortages, increased poverty and an ecological disaster.

(Antonio M. Claparols is president of the Ecological Society of the Philippines and IUCN regional councilor)