Coral bleaching threatening Coral Triangle

MANILA, Philippines - Environmentalists reported that mass coral bleaching caused by global warming is threatening the health of the Coral Triangle, a vast marine region that is home to 76 percent of all known corals in the world, including those found in the country.

Richard Leck, leader of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Coral Triangle Program Climate Change Strategy, said widespread bleaching has been reported in Anilao and Nasugbu towns in Batangas, and Taytay town in Palawan.

In Taytay town, corals – which previously exhibited hues of deep green – are now in temporary shades of pink, orange and yellow – a precursor to complete bleaching.

Numerous other Philippine reefs are likely affected as well, aggravated by localized outbreaks of crown-of-thorns seastars.

The Malaysian government, according to the WWF, has closed portions of world-renowned dive sites off the tropical islands of Tioman and Redang until October to give the fragile coral reef ecosystems time to heal.

Widespread bleaching has also been reported in Indonesia, particularly in Sabang, Aceh, Padang, Thousand Island, Jakarta, and Bali, among other places.

“This widespread bleaching is alarming because it directly affects the health of our oceans and their ability to nurture fish stocks and other marine resources on which millions of people depend for food and income,” Leck said.

Coral bleaching is a phenomenon caused by global warming. Increased seawater temperatures, which in some regions have risen by as much as 2 degrees Celsius above the long-term average maximum, can destroy algae living in corals, causing reefs to eventually turn white and die.

Aside from increased sea temperatures, other causes of stress include disease, pollution, sedimentation, cyanide fishing, changes in salinity, and storms.

The Coral Triangle covers the seas of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor Leste, and contains over 600 species of reef-building corals.

Since March this year, the WWF said 50 organizations and individuals have reported signs of coral bleaching in the Coral Triangle. Up to 100 percent bleaching on susceptible coral species has been reported, and in some areas, severe bleaching has also affected more resistant species.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coral Reef Watch said the current situation is the worst since 1997-1998, when 16 percent of the world’s coral reefs were decimated.

“With many areas showing signs of mass bleaching, it has become apparent that more weight needs to be put behind long-term conservation strategies, such as marine protected area management, preventing coastal and marine pollution as well as promoting sustainable fisheries,” Leck said.

“Well-designed and appropriately managed networks of marine protected areas and locally managed marine areas are essential to enhance resilience against climate change, and prevent further loss of biodiversity, including fisheries collapse,” he added.

Through new sustainable finance mechanisms and investments in climate adaptation, the WWF plans to support networks of marine sanctuaries and locally managed conservation areas across the Coral Triangle.