Sad state: A dying coral will usually turn white and is a sign of bleaching caused by the rising ocean temperature, as seen in this file photo.
PETALING JAYA: Over half of the coral reefs in Malaysian waters have been affected by coral bleaching between April and June due to increased sea surface temperatures.
The Fisheries Department said those particularly affected are the marine park islands in four states: Pulau Payar (Kedah); Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Redang and Pulau Tenggol (Terengganu); Pulau Tioman (Pahang); and Pulau Pemanggil (Johor).
“This is due to the increased sea surface temperatures. Most affected reefs are in shallow waters less than 10m deep. These sites are being closely monitored to track changes in the bleaching situation,” the department said in a statement.
Reports from dive operators, divers and surveys by NGOs such as Reef Check Malaysia confirm mass bleaching, it added.
Early this year, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a “Bleaching Watch” notification for Malaysia, indicating above-average sea surface temperatures and potential thermal stress on coral reefs.
On April 1, the Fisheries Department issued an alert to all state offices to monitor reef conditions and report signs of bleaching.
“To gain a comprehensive understanding of coral bleaching in Malaysian waters, the department urges all parties to report any sightings of coral bleaching.
“The department has also collaborated with representatives from Sabah and Sarawak, local researchers and NGOs to establish the Malaysia Coral Bleaching Response Committee to gather information and take action against coral bleaching,” it said, while also urging all parties, especially in the tourism sector, to mitigate the effects of coral bleaching.“Tourism operators on marine park islands are encouraged to control the number of tourists engaging in water activities to reduce pressure on the reefs.
“Tourists should avoid overcrowded areas, reduce single-use plastics, properly dispose of waste and report sightings of coral bleaching to the department or relevant authorities,” it added.
If bleaching exceeds 80%, interventions like temporary access restrictions may be implemented to protect affected reefs, it said.
“The department assures all stakeholders that, as far as possible, disruption to tourism activities caused by these management interventions will be minimised.
“The goal is simply to reduce stress caused to the already weakened reefs and ensure their survival in the future,” it said.
Coral reefs are vital ecosystems, providing habitats and breeding grounds for up to one-third of marine species.
According to a study conducted by the Fisheries Department, the economic value of marine parks, which are largely surrounded by coral reef ecosystems, amounts to RM8.7bil per year.
Coral bleaching is a natural response of corals to environmental stress, where corals expel the microscopic algae called zooxanthellae.
These algae provide most of the coral’s food and vibrant colour; whereby without it, the coral turns white, giving it a bleached appearance.
Mass bleaching refers to the large-scale bleaching of multiple coral species over wide areas.
