REVERSING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION TRENDS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND GULF OF THAILAND
 WWW.UNEPSCS.ORG
Fishing and the Loss of Marine Habitats and Biodiversity
v Regional consensus that fisheries habitats play a critical role in the maintenance of fisheries production, livelihoods, and food security
v Estimated decadal rates of loss of fisheries habitats in the South China Sea are high: seagrass (30%), mangroves (16%), and coral reefs (16%)
v Fishing identified as a key factor in the continued loss of marine habitats and biodiversity in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand
v Key characteristics of Southeast Asian fisheries contributing to loss:
§ over-capitalisation and over-exploitation,
§ large numbers of small scale craft and high level community dependence on fish for food and income,
§ excessively high fishing effort in most inshore areas, and
§ widespread use of destructive fishing gear and practices.