Overfishing causes threat to coral reefs

By Rosli Abidin Yahya Overfishing is the most pervasive threat to coral reefs in Southeast Asia according to a recent study by the World Resources Institute (WRI). Lauretta Burke, a WRI researcher and coauthor of the study, "Reefs at Risk: Southeast Asia," noted that about 64 per cent of Southeast Asia's reef are affected by overfishing. WRI is an environmental research policy institute, which besides conducting research, is also creating practical ways to protect natural resources. In Brunei Darussalam local production of marine fish hovers around 1,000,000 kg and 1,500,000 kg per year. The sultanate imports 60 per cent of seafood needs from its neighbours including Sabah and Sarawak. "If fishing in Southeast Asia is not reduced to more sustainable levels, both coral reefs and food security will be imperiled," Lauretta added. The study indicated that threats to the world's most important and most extensive coral reef systems are higher than originally estimated when a similar survey was taken in 1998. "Coral reef condition throughout Southeast Asia continues to decline. Although our report indicates that the picture is grim, it will provide resource managers and government officials with the kind of information that they need to effectively manage their coral reefs," she said. Besides overfishing, WRI cited destructive fishing techniques, dredging, landfilling, marine pollution and sedimentation as factors causing coral reef's degradation. The Philippines said 70 per cent of the country's coral reefs are threatened by blast fishing, while 40 per cent are affected by coastal development. Sedimentation and pollution affect some 35 per cent of the natural resources. Coral reefs are important sources of products which provide annual economic benefits of billions of dollars per year to Southeast Asian countries. WRI estimates placed the sustainable value of Southeast Asia's coral reef fisheries at US$2.4 billion annually. Scientists estimated that as much as 98 per cent of the country's coral reefs are severally threatened by human activities compared with the 88 per cent average for Southeast Asia. The Philippines is said to have more than one-fourth of the region's coral reefs, next only to Indonesia. Burke said that for the Philippines to reduce overfishing, there should be improved management and development of alternative livelihood for fisherfolk. She added that decreased fishing effort would result in higher catch and income for those who still choose to fish. The fishery sector of Brunei has received $90 million allocation in the 8th National Development Plan (NDP). Brunei Darussalam has been envisaged as the regional hub for handling the import and export of seafood products in the same period.

 

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