New Straits Times Asia One 25 Jul 10;
KUALA TERENGGANU, MALAYSIA - The coral bleaching which had forced the closure of some diving sites could be a blessing in disguise.
It could even be a launch pad for research into minimising the effects of global warming, ecosystem management and bio-medical field.
Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry's National Oceanography Directorate undersecretary Prof Dr Nor Aieni Mokhtar said the ministry had collaborated with local universities to carry out research on coral transplanting methods.
She said Universiti Malaysia Terengganu here had been successful in coral transplanting research and had the expertise to breed microbes that kept the corals alive.
"The most common method is to graft a section from a healthy coral to the bleached coral. With proper care, the graft will multiply and colonise the bleached coral, making it healthy again."
She was speaking at the launching of the Prime Marine Scientific Research and the National Oceanography Data Centre by Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Fadillah Yusof at Permai Inn yesterday.
"Another method, which has shown a high success rate, is using current to induce calcium carbonate formation on the seabed. We had successfully revived bleached corals in Pulau Mabul in Sabah with this method," she said, adding that the coral microbes would attach themselves to the artificial calcium substrate and grow into healthy, new coral.
She said the coral bleaching study would point scientists to hardy corals that survived and the hardy species would become suitable candidates for transplanting.
"We will also gain insight into the medical properties of the hardy corals."
She said the research could lead to the discovery of how corals adapted to global warming.
"Since global warming has led to climatic and environmental changes, we could battle its effects if we learn how corals faced the changes and survived."
In his speech, Fadillah said marine research was important because marine and coastal resources were under threat from human activities.
"It has been reported that 70 per cent of the coral reef bed near Pulau Tenggol and Pulau Redang has been affected in various degrees by coastal development and fishing-related activities."
He said the activities also contributed to coral bleaching.
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu To Carry Out Coral Breeding To Prevent Extinction
Bernama 24 Jul 10;
KUALA TERENGGANU, July 24 (Bernama) -- In a bid to prevent corals from extinction, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has taken the initiative to breed the spineless species.
Its vice-chancellor, Prof Dr Aziz Deraman said, the university conducted research on breeding corals as a faster method for recovery.
"In addition to turtle conservation, UMT is also carrying out efforts to conserve corals which are facing various threats such as coral bleaching which can cause it to die," he told reporters at the launching of the 'Ekspedisi Pelayaran Saintifik Perdana' (EPSP 2009) seminar organised by the university here Saturday.
The event was officiated by Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Fadillah Yusof.
Dr Aziz said coral seeds and artificial tyre reefs are placed in problematic areas to help revive marine life there.
The damage on coral reefs, which is among the country's tourist attractions, is at an alarming stage with coral bleaching affecting between 60 to 90 per cent of corals.
Several diving and snorkeling spots in Terengganu will also be temporarily closed until Oct 31, to carry out coral restoration works.
Among the areas affected are Pulau Redang (Teluk Bakau), Pulau Tenggol (Teluk Air Tawar), Pulau Perhentian Besar (Teluk Dalam) and Pulau Perhentian Besar (Tanjung Tukas Darat and Tanjung Tukas Laut).
Meanwhile, National Oceanography Directorate secretary Prof Dr Nor Aieni Mokhtar said the closure was viewed positively as it would help restore the corals.
She said the directorate would also carry out coral transplant, where healthy corals are placed in weak areas, to help the species to continue living.
She added that these method was already implemented in Pulau Redang and Pulau Perhentian.
-- BERNAMA
