Our Corals Are Bleaching - How We Can Save Them

Our Corals Are Bleaching

I recently wrote about the coral bleaching that is happening right now around Malaysia.

Since that post just a few days ago, monitoring data has shown that in some areas up to 80% of corals are bleaching.

What are we doing now?

Managing Coral Bleaching – Removing Coral Predators

As noted previously, there is little we can do on a local level, but we are doing what we can.

Bleached coral reefs are vulnerable to attack by predators including the crown of thorns starfish (COTs) and drupella snails – both are corallivores, and they eat corals. So, our field teams are doing their best to identify sites worst affected by these corallivores and will try to remove them where possible.

If you go diving, please help us by letting us know if you see a site with either COTs or drupella. You can let us know by emailing us at hello@reefcheck.org.my.

Crown-of-thorns starfish (COT) removal by the Redang Marine Conservation Group (RMCG)

Managing Coral Bleaching – Reducing Physical Impacts to Corals

Reducing physical impacts from divers and snorkelers, especially at important, resilient, sites is another immediate response we can take.

At the recent Malaysia International Dive Exhibition (MIDE) during the Ocean day weekend, I spoke to a number of dive operators who are concerned about bleaching and asked what they could do to help. Many of them agreed with the need to avoid vulnerable or important reef sites and we are communicating with them now on which sites they should avoid.

If you are planning a trip, you can help by asking your dive operator if they are observing the advice on avoiding these sites.

We need to avoid vulnerable or important reef sites

Managing Coral Bleaching – Continued Coral Bleaching Monitoring

Finally, continued monitoring is important.

At the moment we are tracking the onset and spread of bleaching.

Only over the next few weeks will we be able to see the real impact of the bleaching – what level of mortality and survival will we see? Are there any signs that corals are adapting to warmer temperatures? And what does all this mean to reef users?

So, please continue to report coral bleaching if you are going diving; we need all the data we can get.

Report coral bleaching to us!

You Can Make A Difference

It’s going to be some weeks – or even months – before the picture becomes clearer. In the meantime, we must all do what we can to protect reefs from local impacts.

No, it doesn’t fix the bigger problem of global heating; but it’s the little bit that we can each do to make our own contribution to conserving these important ecosystems.

Please contact me at julian@reefcheck.org.my if you have any questions or want to know more about bleaching.

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Tioman Airport Decision: A Watershed in Biodiversity Conservation?

The decision last week by the Malaysian government to shelve the proposed airport development on Tioman island is both welcome, and timely, for many reasons.

Conserving Tioman’s natural resources

The most immediate and important reason, of course, is that it paves the way for conserving Tioman Island in its current, largely pristine state. This in itself is a good thing considering the island’s abundant biodiversity resources which, as the world is now (belatedly?) realising, need to be protected.

Tioman Island's beautiful coral reef.

This endeavour would be challenging with a new airport bringing more visitors, and all the consequent impacts that would result from more resort development, more roads and infrastructure, more waste…you get the picture.

So, it is a great start.

But perhaps this opens up so many other opportunities to review old decisions, made with old information and out-of-date thinking, that are just not appropriate in the world as it is today.

If that sounds like hyperbole, then consider the following.

Tourism trends in the post-COVID world

Whither tourism? I’ve talked about this before, particularly focusing on the impacts of large numbers of visitors on people and places.

We saw this in Mantanani Island, where visitor numbers increased, over a 10-year period, from around 50 per day to as many as three thousand per day: clearly not sustainable, with huge impacts on ecosystems and the local community.

Numerous industry surveys tell us that “tourists” are now looking for more “authentic” experiences, less crowded, with intact nature, the whole thing. Quiet, private, pristine.

But which “tourists” are those?

Last week I saw a video of an “island” crawling with tourists. All there for the ultimate Instagram Moment – white sand, perfect blue sea, islands in the distance…and with careful camera angles, the 200 other people sharing the sandbank can be kept out of the shot!!

Apparently, when asked about such crowded destinations, many respondents said, “it’s ok, we don’t mind – we are used to it”. So clearly, not all tourists are seeking a “private commune” with nature.

I am probably over-simplifying, but can we really segment the tourism industry in this way?

Can we separate out tourists looking for the quiet, nature-focused getaway and tourists who don’t mind more crowded destinations?

And if we can, what are the characteristics of each group in terms of expectations, duration of stay, and spending, for example? Are people looking for the authentic experience willing to pay more – and if so, how much more?

Such an experience suggests more intensive management efforts and limits on visitor numbers – it’s going to be expensive.

So, the tourist will have to pay for it. Thailand is certainly moving in this direction, away from beach/sea holidays to more nature-based tourism. There must be a value proposition for them.

Tourism in Malaysia

Which leads us to the question: which of the above groups is Malaysia targeting?

Because it seems to me that if the division is real, then targeting one group or the other should be a deliberate choice.

You either cater for small-scale, niche market tourists, with appropriate facilities and infrastructure – and charge accordingly. Or you go large-scale, mass tourism, again with appropriate facilities and infrastructure – and charge accordingly for that, too.

Clearly, there are huge implications in this choice for destinations, and the East Coast islands are among the most popular destinations in Malaysia.

Is the plan to drastically increase tourism numbers? Or is it to target the group looking for an authentic experience? Because islands like Tioman have that – in spades. If the former case, yes, we will probably need new infrastructure, including resorts and transportation. If the latter – maybe less development. 

Who makes the decision? On what basis? What research has been done?

I guess what I’m saying is that now might be a good time for Malaysia to rethink its tourism strategy and decide which of these markets to target. Because I don’t think you can cater to both in the same destination; it has to be a deliberate decision.

After all – from a revenue perspective, a hundred tourists paying RM 1,000 per trip brings in the same revenue as one thousand tourists paying RM 100 per visit…but with different challenges.

Managing Marine Parks

While we are reviewing our approach to tourism, maybe it is an appropriate moment to review the approach to Marine Park management. This is because the islands that are surrounded by Marine Parks are popular tourism destinations, and they have what both groups are looking for.

Under the current regime, the Federal government looks after the Marine Park – the doughnut of water surrounding the island; the State governments are responsible for managing the islands themselves.

Which introduces a conflict situation.

State governments don’t have much incentive to protect the sea because they aren’t responsible for it, so perhaps they want to develop tourism. But the Federal government doesn’t have control of development on the islands that might damage the marine resources in the sea…you can see where that ends up.

Perhaps the time has come to review this system.

How about integrating the management of the Marine Park and the islands? How about inviting State governments to participate in managing the Marine Parks so they also get some benefit from that?

In this way, development on the islands can be coordinated with protecting the marine resources – not to mention the terrestrial resources, too.

And while we are at it – let’s give a seat at the table to the local communities living on the islands, too! There is plenty of evidence that local communities make an important contribution to marine resource management where they have a chance to do so – and our own experience on Tioman reflects this.

The Tioman Marine Conservation Group (TMCG) is made up of local islanders.

Biodiversity financing

The final piece of the jigsaw: financing.

The recently signed Kunming-Montreal Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (the GBF) calls for urgent action to protect biodiversity. Importantly it speaks at length about funding for biodiversity conservation, acknowledging the estimated funding gap of US$ 700 billion per year that has been highlighted as one of the key challenges facing us.

There are emerging biodiversity-based financing mechanisms that could release significant funds for biodiversity conservation from the private sector – funds that government just don’t have themselves.

These so-called “biodiversity credits” could be a game-changer in funding biodiversity conservation. Yes, there are risks, and yes, much work needs to be done to introduce appropriate regulations and standards, but on balance, I would say there are some interesting things happening that we are following very closely.

A catalyst for change

All the above ideas and suggestions are strongly supported by policies in Malaysia.

On a national level, the National Policy on Biological Diversity 2016 – 2025 speaks about Malaysia’s commitment to conserving its biodiversity; the 12th Malaysia Plan includes commitments to safeguard natural capital.

In addition, Malaysia has adopted two international agreements: the Sustainable Development Goals, which call for sustainable management of ecosystems, and the recently-signed Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which includes commitments to increase protected areas and reduce biodiversity loss.

The above agreements and policies talk extensively about funding for conservation and the role of local communities.

And here’s what that made me think.

Looking at through this lens of change I am outlining; the bigger context of the brave decision announced last week by the Environment Minister, YB Nik Nazri, starts to look even more important.

Imagine it leading to this scenario – a new paradigm in which:

• Fewer tourists visit protected areas but bring the same economic value as mass tourism;

• Protected areas are sustainably managed by all stakeholders, including local communities, for long-term conservation goals;

• Private sector funds are invested alongside government funds.

Joined up, collaborative management.

What’s not to like?

Reflections On Ocean Month

World Reef Day is celebrated on the 1st of June every year

The ocean covers over 70% of the planet. It supports humanity’s sustenance and that of every other organism on Earth. The ocean produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen; it is home to most of Earth’s biodiversity and is the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world.

Not to mention, the ocean is key to our economy, with an estimated 40 million people being employed by ocean-based industries by 2030.

Despite providing all these benefits, the ocean is in need of support.

With 90% of big fish populations depleted, and 50% of coral reefs destroyed, we are taking more from the ocean than can be replenished. We need to work together to create a new balance with the ocean that no longer depletes its bounty but instead restores its vibrancy and brings it new life.

June is a busy month for ocean conservation as it sees several “days” related to marine conservation.

World Oceans Day

The best known is, of course, World Oceans Day, which falls on 8 June.

The concept was originally proposed at the Earth Summit in 1992. The Ocean Project started global coordination of World Ocean Day in 2002, and "World Oceans Day" was officially recognised by the United Nations in 2008.

This international “day” aims to foster public interest in the protection of the ocean and the sustainable management of its resources. The WOD website provides information and resources on the importance of the oceans and ocean conservation.

Coral Triangle Day

WOD is followed immediately on 9th June by the less well known “Coral Triangle Day” which celebrates the Coral Triangle (CT). Malaysia is one of six CT countries, alongside Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor Leste (https://www.coraltriangleinitiative.org/).  

The coral triangle is home to some 400 million people and is recognized as the global centre of marine biological diversity. It has the highest coral diversity in the world, with 76% (605) of the world’s coral species (798). By comparison, approximately 8% of coral species (61) occur in the Caribbean.

In addition, the region serves as the spawning and juvenile growth area for five species of tuna, comprising the largest tuna fisheries in the world. The biological resources of the Coral Triangle directly sustain the lives of more than 120 million people living within this area, and benefit millions more worldwide.

World Reef Day

More recently, World Reef Day was launched in the US three years ago. Falling on 1st June, WRD helps to create awareness among various communities and the general public about ocean ecosystems.

It is a call to action for consumers, business and organisations to reflect on the fragility of coral reef ecosystems. The day brings together the general public and opinion leaders to encourage active change through education and engagement.

What does all this mean?

There are many signs that the health of the ocean – essential for all life on earth – is declining. Fisheries in decline; the ocean gyres polluted with plastics; hypoxic zones.

Just within our own sphere of activity, the problems facing coral reefs are immense – and they not going away on their own. Pollution from sewage and other land-based activities; physical impacts from growing numbers of tourists; coastal development. Just some of the impacts to coral reefs.

And now climate change.

The coral bleaching we are seeing now is at least partly caused by warming oceans – temperatures are 2-3 degrees centigrade above usual, and this is stressing corals and causing them to lose their colour.

Corals are starting to bleach due to the warm weather we are experiencing

We need policy makers to understand how fragile these ecosystems are – coral reefs and their associated coastal ecosystems, mangroves and seagrass, are critical for livelihoods, food security and coastal protection, among others.

The more people who are aware and talking about these issues, the louder the conversation becomes…maybe to the point where policy makers can’t ignore it any more.

Things have to change. Or nature will change them for us.

How Serious Are We Really About Protecting Coral Reefs?

Coral reefs are sometimes described as “the rainforests of the sea”, a phrase used to capture the vast biodiversity that they harbour. But at the same time, they are often (mis-)treated as “the invisible ecosystem” because, unlike actual rainforests, they are to all intents and purposes hidden. Few people see coral reefs and fewer still understand the benefits they provide to society. 

Which are many.

Together with coastal mangroves and seagrass meadows, with which they have close ecological links, these marine ecosystems provide a number of important ecosystem services – nature’s bounty that people benefit from. Protection against storms, habitat for juvenile marine species, jobs in tourism – not to mention as a source of food, these marine ecosystems are an intrinsic part of the lives of many people.

People rely on these marine ecosystems for food and jobs. The planet relies on these ecosystems because they filter water and keep it clean, and they protect coastlines from storms and erosion. Businesses need these ecosystems for the seafood they produce and the jobs that creates. Peaceful, inclusive societies value them for their cultural importance.

Ok, you want data?

A report published recently by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (The Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2020) reveals that between 2009 and 2018 there was a progressive loss of about 14% of the coral from the world’s coral reefs.

At that rate it will all be gone in another 70 years or so. It will all be gone if things continue as they are.

According to the Coral Reef Alliance:

• Some scientists predict that 90% of global reefs will experience severe bleaching annually by 2055. The last time there was “severe bleaching” in Malaysia (1998), something like 40% of corals died. Sure, they recovered – after a few years. Imagine bleaching every year; they aren’t going to last long.

• 200 million people depend on coral reefs to protect them from storm surges and waves.

• 48% of fossil fuel emissions are absorbed by the ocean. This makes the more acidic which affects the ability of various marine species to form strong skeletons, making them vulnerable to a number of threats.

In fact, all of the above could be said about all three marine ecosystems (together with mangroves and seagrass meadows): very valuable, very threatened.

Let’s face it.

These ecosystems are not being well managed and we are losing them.

A 2020 report from FRIM estimates that Malaysia lost over 21,000 Ha of mangroves between 1990 and 2017. Scientists say that seagrass meadows are being lost equally quickly. And data from Reef Check surveys show declines in coral reef health between 2014 and 2020. 

Photo from Stop Adani Flickr

Maybe too many business interests combined with insufficient regulation are allowing this degradation? Three recent case studies:

• Reports of a new resort to be constructed on Perhentian Island. Locals tell us that the area is currently pretty much un-spoiled…and we know what happens when land is cleared for development. That’s going to have huge impacts on the reefs around that part of the island - which is one of the best places to see sharks in Perhentian.

• Tioman airport is still an active project, according to some. How can we be serious about protecting biodiversity if we are still even considering that project?

• Just today the media reports that Penang fishermen are warning politicians that they will only vote for candidates that will support their livelihoods. The Penang South Island (PSI) project (I love the way it has been renamed from the original Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project…not quite as sexy!!) will impact the livelihoods of an estimated 6,000 fishermen, and will destroy the very ecosystems on which their livelihoods depend – and everyone else’s food.

SDG 14 calls on nations to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, sea and marine resources for sustainable development.

That is not happening today.

What do we need to do to change this?