AquaticaKK: Conservation: Reef

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Threats To The Reef

Coral reefs are the most biodiverse aquatic ecosystems, home to a great variety of life and therefore extremely important to the global ecosystem. Not only do they serve as breeding, spawning, feeding and foraging habitats but they are also a form of coastal protection, reducing the damaging impact of waves and storms on coastal ecosystems. The future of Sabah's coral reefs however, is dependent on conservation to save them from the following threats:

Fishermen bomb and destroy whole areas of reef with dynamite as a quick method to catch fish.

More on fishing method info >>

Live corals, collected by individuals or bought as souvenirs, reduces reefs and causes habitat loss of reef dwelling species.

Sea temperature rise caused by global warming is killing the coloured algae which live within the coral. This causes bleaching events which is ultimately the deathof the coral and the organisms which feed upon it.

Overfishing has disrupted the ecosystem balance causing an increase in crown of thorns starfish which eat and destroy corals.

Land run off including pesticides and fertilizers pollute the waters around reefs and damage coral and fish populations.

Wastes not disposed of properly such as plastic bags, bottles and discarded fishing nets make their way out onto the reef where animals may eat them or become trapped and entangled.

Fuel leakage, spills and boat anchors degrade, break and destroy reef colonies.

As demand for fish increases, numbers of fish are decreasing and fish populations are unable to recover from such losses.

More info on overfishing issues>>

Fishermen use cyanide and other poisons to stun and capture live fish. This decreases fish populations and the poisons destroy local corals

More info on Seafood Guide for live fish trade >>

Coral Reefs: What does this mean for Sabah Reefs?

	Coral reefs are important to us in Sabah for a number of reasons, including: - Sustainable Fisheries - Tourism - Coastal Protection - Biochemical breakthrough >> Read More
Many local fishing communities are dependent on these reefs for their livelihoods.

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