“I am pleased to announce that Semporna is the first district in Sabah to launch a Coral Bleaching Early Response Plan,” he said, adding that the Semporna Priority Conservation Area had the largest coral reef coverage in Malaysia.
The conservation area, which is in the Coral Triangle, is the center of marine biodiversity and provides ecosystem services to people in, and beyond the area.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) reef ecologist Dr. Zarinah Waheed said coral reefs were areas of high biodiversity, providing food and habitat to marine life.
“It protects shorelines from storms and wave surges. A healthy coral reef encourages tourism. It brings income to locals and has pharmaceutical potential.
“However, coral reefs worldwide are at risk from the impacts of climate change, an emerging threat to coral reef ecosystems. This change in climate can have detrimental effects on coral reefs, such as bleaching.”
In recognizing the urgency to address climate change, WWF Malaysiaorganisedthe Semporna Marine Eco Week to empower players from different industries to take action to combat climate change together.
WWF Malaysia’s Marine Programme people and marine biodiversity manager Monique Sumampouw said increased sea temperatures led to higher coral reef mortality.
She said based on WWF Malaysia’s preliminary study between 2015 and last year, there was an average rise of 0.5°C in Semporna’s waters.
“Semporna’s Coral Bleaching Early Response Plan aims to strengthen the resilience of the coral reefs and sustain the future of Semporna’s tourism and marine resources.”
The Semporna Marine Eco Week was organized by Sabah Parks, UMS, Reef Check Malaysia, Scuba Junkie SEAS, Seaventures Dive Rig, Green Semporna and Semporna Community College.
The programme aimed to improve awareness about climate change, coral bleaching and the importance of marine conservation among dive operators, local communities, and NGOs.
Source: New Straits Times | 9 December 2017
