JOHOR BARU: The ongoing coral bleaching phenomenon is one of the most severe on record, with marine biologists reporting unprecedented levels of coral mortality.

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) Faculty of Science and Marine Environment senior lecturer Assoc Prof Dr James Tan Chun Hong (pic) stressed the urgent need for protective measures to ensure the survival and recovery of affected reefs.

“The current bleaching event has resulted in a high mortality rate among bleached corals. The situation is dire compared to previous years,” he said when contacted.

Tan emphasised the importance of safeguarding the reefs that have survived this year’s bleaching, suggesting that efforts should focus on minimising disturbances, such as reducing pollution and mitigating human impact, to support their recovery.

However, for reefs that have experienced significant coral mortality, the path to restoration is more complex, he said.

“Restoration efforts should focus on using coral species that have demonstrated high resilience during the bleaching event.

“We need to apply high-resilience coral species, those that did not bleach and are fast-growing, to restore the affected areas,” he explained.

In addition to coral protection, Tan also highlighted the need to protect other marine species, such as herbivorous fish and invertebrates, which are crucial for maintaining the health of coral ecosystems.

“High diversity within these ecosystems is crucial. It helps boost the recovery and resilience of coral reefs,” he added.

On a national scale, Tan called for continuous advocacy and education about the effects of climate change on marine environments.

“Public awareness and proactive measures are essential to protect these fragile ecosystems.

“We need to keep educating the public about the consequences of climate change on our marine ecosystems. It must be a continuous and proactive approach,” he said.

On June 23, the Fisheries Department issued a statement saying that 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.

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).

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/12/expert-current-coral-bleaching-the-most-severe