Reef reality
The Star 26 Mar 11;
Reef Check Malaysia’s latest annual report paints a bleak picture of the coral ecosystem.
The 2010 annual report, the fourth since Reef Check started operations in the country, rates Malaysia’s live coral cover as “fair” (scoring 44.3%) as opposed to “good” or “excellent”.
The low percentage is of concern, given the rise in pollution from increased tourist development in the east coast of the Peninsula.
Reef Check’s work is largely survey-based, and the accompanying annual survey report’s Nutrient Indicator Algae Growth showed algae growth had risen from 1.2% to 4.7%, attributable mainly to sewage pollution.
Reef Check’s general manager, Julian Hyde, points out that many resorts rely on individual septic tanks that need regular maintenance (also known as “de-sludging”) but do not do so.
“As far as they know, they’ve never maintained them (the septic tanks). That pollution is not going somewhere, it’s going into the sea.”
The report also states that blast and cyanide fishing methods are widespread around Sabah and have ruined formerly pristine reefs, like those surrounding the islands off Semporna.
Hyde adds his concerns that coral reefs under pressure from climate change are struggling to recover due to added pressure from both threats.
“If we could reduce all of these other problems, we could withstand the impact of coral bleaching,” he concludes.
For more information on Reef Check Malaysia’s Annual Survey Report and the Annual Summary Report 2010, visit www.reefcheck.org.my
Help is at hand
Michael D’Oliveiro The Star 26 Mar 11;
Damaged coral? How about transplants to revive them?
Some would say it’s amazing that one of Malaysia’s most visited islands isn’t given marine park status. We’re talking about Pulau Pangkor here.
The fact of the matter is that the coral reefs of Pulau Pangkor, an island that is host to many resorts, suffer from poorly supervised snorkellers, careless boatmen and, in general, unchecked pollution from sewage.
Despite regular media attention, its popular snorkelling sites are steadily losing their vibrant fish life. Recently, Pangkor Laut Resort and the Malaysian arm of the NGO Reef Check joined forces for another reef clean-up — this time with a unique approach to restoring one of the affected sites.
Pulau Giam is a tiny isle barely the width of a tennis court but popular for snorkelling. Unscrupulous operators have left a legacy of damaged corals, no thanks to poor supervision of snorkellers and wanton anchor drops (outlawed in a marine parks, in case you’re wondering). Reports are claiming that fish have also started abandoning Pulau Giam.
Pangkor Laut and Reef Check’s solution? Coral transplants.
The concept isn’t new in Malaysia. However, bad experiences with other methods like concrete-based artificial reefs have accelerated its use. To both resort and NGO, the notion of taking living specimens to populate distressed sites seemed a viable alternative.
General manager of Reef Check, Julian Hyde, says, “Deploying artificial reef units doesn’t really encourage coral growth. It takes forever for corals to start to grow on new substrate. Just look at Tioman, for example. Transplanting corals enhances the rate at which a new reef can start to grow.”
I missed the first day along with the initial briefings, but my subsequent days with the team were eye-opening. Hyde had brought along Coral Ecologist Kee Alfian (of University Kebangsaan Malaysia). Add their able wives and a few volunteer divers (from YTL staff and the media), and we had a project team.
The first step was to harvest coral nubbins (or tips of the many “limbs” from hard corals) from a donor site. This was done just off the resort’s Spa Villas beachside location. It felt strange observing divers snipping off perfectly healthy corals. In most countries, you’d get a jail term for doing that. However, they were to be the “donors” for Giam, and careful handling ensured there would be no adverse affect on the “parent” corals.
The dive on the second day involved the more intricate task of preparing and affixing the nubbins onto a nursery matrix that would later be transported to Giam. The matrix was assembled and placed a few metres down from the resort’s main beach. It didn’t help that we faced Pangkor’s notorious pea-soup visibility; nonetheless, I felt a tad amateurish looking at the speed and precision the team showed in putting the nubbins in place.
Hyde was nonchalant about my concern with the nubbins.
“They are hardier than many people think. The poor visibility means that physically moving around in the water is difficult, for one thing. For another, it does mean that the corals will stress more easily when moved, so extra care is needed to ensure the highest possible survival rate,” he explained.
While coral transplanting was the main focus of the weekend, staff presentations by YTL Hotels, owner of Pangkor Laut, were also held. Local school talks were part of the programme with the aim of inculcating marine awareness among the local children. The final day itself ended with certificates of attendance being handed out to participating staff, followed by some entertaining skits and even a fashion show!
Weeks later, the results are still being monitored. Hyde seems upbeat about the project’s future.
“We have not made significant progress at Pulau Giam, but it is too early for that anyway. The corals are still residing off the beach at Pangkor Laut, and we are leaving them there for a good long time to be sure they are healthy and growing before moving them again, which just causes a load more stress. So the healthier they are, the more ‘relaxed’ they are and the greater the chances of survival when we do move them to their final resting place,” he says.
Hyde notes that coral transplanting alone wouldn’t solve Pangkor’s problems.
“The last step is to get Tourism (Malaysia) involved,” he says, no doubt referring to the marine park status. “Their support is vital. This is as much a tourism product as it is a scientific project, and there are huge opportunities to educate the local population and tourists visiting the area,” he concludes.
