KOTA KINABALU: Coral reefs are still under threat though there are signs of slight improvement.
Reef Check Malaysia revealed in its annual report that Live Coral Cover (LCC), a key indicator of reef health, increased slightly to 44 per cent from 41 in 2020.
Programme manager Chen Sue Yee, who is also in charge of the report, said while the increase in LCC is to be welcomed, there is more to be done.
"There are also a number of indicators that show coral reef health is being damaged by a variety of impacts including pollution, marine debris and warm water bleaching," she said in a statement.
The annual survey programme – running for 15 years now, covers over 200 sites around Malaysia by the organisation staff, government agencies and volunteers.
Its general manager Julian Hyde said scientists have been concerned about the ocean health and ecosystems in it, including coral reefs.
"But the problem with the ocean is that so few people know just how much we benefit from a healthy ocean.
"As a coastal nation, whose marine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) area is greater than its land area – this is particularly important for Malaysia".
The data from Marine Parks Malaysia suggests that the total economic value of the East Coast Parks could be up to RM7.8 billion.
Hyde added that with reefs and other marine ecosystems under increasing pressure from climate change, Reef Check has launched a year-long campaign to raise awareness of ocean conservation issues.
"The ocean is receiving increasing attention for its biodiversity and as an important provider of ecosystem services.
"The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework is currently being negotiated and will put in place important targets and strategies for protecting and managing our oceans, including increasing protected areas.
"We support this, and we want more Malaysians to be aware of what the issues are, hence this ocean literacy campaign."
The campaign, which begins next month, will include webinars, social media posts and talks to address ocean conservation issues.
Follow RCM on Facebook or Instagram @reefcheckmalaysia to get updates and resources on the ocean literacy campaign.