Coral Reefs

Coral Reef

Charity:

The Marine Conservation Society in collaboration with Sabah Parks, Seamarc Pvt Ltd. Maldives, local communities and other stakeholders including dive operators

Project:

Protection and regeneration of coral reefs threatened and degraded by destructive fishing

Where in the World?

Asia

Grant:

Two grants totalling £40,000

  • 28% of the world's coral reefs occur in Southeast Asia, within the famed 'coral triangle' of highest global marine biodiversity.
  • 75% of Malaysia's reefs occur in East Malaysia where over 350 coral species have been recorded and where this project is taking place.
  • At least 68% of these reefs are threatened by fishing practices that are destructive and unsustainable - blast fishing, cyanide fishing and overfishing.

BBC Nature: find out more about corals and sea anemones.

Project goal:

To bring an end to blast fishing and to promote recovery of coral reefs that have been degraded or destroyed as a result of this practice. The outreach and awareness element of the project will focus on explaining and demonstrating the importance of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and the environmental and socio-economic impact of destructive fishing.

The grant has enabled the project to deliver two immediate benefits for biodiversity. Firstly, it has enhanced biodiversity at reef sites badly damaged as a result of fish blasting.† This has been achieved by deploying custom-made frames seeded with corals from the surrounding area.† The corals have grown and begun to create new habitat, and fish have started to colonise these areas.† Secondly, biodiversity has benefitted as a result of a reduction in the amount of destructive fishing resulting from increased awareness and vigilance. Local people are increasingly aware of the importance of the reef habitats for wildlife and their livelihoods.

"The support for this project from the BBC Wildlife Fund is timely and hugely appreciated - it's going to have a lasting impact on the health and future of the reefs in the area, and the people who depend on them."

Dr Elizabeth Wood

See a full breakdown of the grants we awarded to organisations around the world

Download Grant spreadsheet [38Kb]

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