COLLABORATION FOR CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

Thamasak Yeemin*, Loke Ming Chou, Ridzwan Bin Abdul Rahman, Vo Si Tuan, Porfirio
M. Alino, Suharsono, Nguyen Van Long, Abdul Rahim Bin Gor Yaman and Ouk Vibol
*Marine Biodiversity Research Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science,
Ramkhamhaeng University, Huamark, Bangkok 10240 THAILAND
E-mail: thamasakyeemin@yahoo.com


The South China Sea is the largest sea in Southeast Asia bordered by nine
countries, i.e., Cambodia, the People's Republic of China, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Thus it forms a semi-enclosed large
marine ecosystem. Southeast Asia is the global centre of coral reefs, both in terms of
extent and species diversity. An estimated 34% of the earth's coral reefs are located in
the Southeast Asian seas which occupies only 2.5% of the total sea surface. The
ecological and economic importance of the coral reefs in the South China Sea has long
been recognized. The location of the South China Sea at the junction between the
Pacific and Indian Ocean basins has resulted in it becoming a centre of aggregation of
marine species from both Oceans. More than half of Southeast Asia's scleractinian
coral species is found in the South China Sea. A wide variation in coral species diversity
at different sites in the South China Sea reflects the influence of physical parameters
and anthropogenic disturbances. The South China Sea region has undergone rapid
economic development and population growth, particularly in coastal areas and human
pressures on coral reefs have increased considerably. Coastal infrastructure
development to support economic growth and the accompanying pollution of the marine
environment associated with growing human activities have caused degradation of reefs
closed to urban areas. Resource exploitation has led to extensive coastal degradation
and watershed deforestation and erosion have resulted in increased sedimentation on
coral reefs. All these stresses affect the overall health of the reef systems. Major threats
identified at sites bordering the South China Sea were destructive fishing, overfishing,
sedimentation, pollution (eutrophication), coral bleaching, coastal development,
unsustainable tourism development, unsustainable fisheries and aquaculture, and
deforestation. Under the UNEP/GEF Project on Reversing Environmental Degradation
Trends in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand, collaboration for coral reef
management in the region has been emphasized. The strategic action plan for each
participating country was developed. Consequently the regional strategies for coral reef
management are formulated. Proposed activities in the demonstration sites have been
implemented. The purpose of the demonstration sites selected under this project is to
demonstrate actions which either "reverse" environmental degradation or will
demonstrate methods of reducing degradation trends if adopted and applied at a wider
scale. Demonstration site activities include enhancing capacity for monitoring and
research, community-based management, establishing marine protected areas or
sanctuaries, sustainable tourism, sustainable financing, alternative livelihood,
strengthening legal instrument and law enforcement, and pilot activities on restoration of
coral reefs. The establishment of regional networking and collaboration for coral reef
management is important and should be maintained and expanded beyond the South
China Sea project.

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