Loren Urges Better Protection for Philippines Coral Reefs

Senator Loren Legarda said yesterday that the seizure by Argentine authorities of endangered Philippine corals and seashells bound for the black market should prompt the government to double its efforts to protect Philippine coral reefs.

Loren warned that the illegal trade of corals and the destruction of Philippine reefs must stop if the country is to preserve its biodiversity and the 5% remaining Philippine coral reefs.

“The seizure in Buenos Aires of the corals from the Philippines shows that the harvesting of protected corals on our territorial waters continues unabated,” said Loren.

The founding chair of the environmental group Luntiang Pilipinas, Loren said the government must protect coral reefs because they are home to a variety of tropical fishes, including some that are found only in the Philippines.

She explained that aside from commercial activities that destroy coral reefs, global warming is also decimating coral reefs around the world through a phenomenon known as “bleaching.”

“Bleaching” occurs when the algae inside corals either die or leave due to unhealthy conditions.

Loren cited a 2007 report by Reef Check that only 5% of the Philippines’ 27,000 square kilometers of coral reefs remain in good condition. “If we do not act now, what’s left of our coral reefs would soon be gone,” she said.

She asked the government to block the reported plan of Argentine customs officials to donate the seized corals and seashells, saying they belong to the Philippines and should thus be returned.

Coral reefs are home to very colorful tropical fishes such as the parrotfish, angelfish, damselfish and butterfly fish. Worldwide, over 4,000 species of fish are known inhabit coral reefs.

“The beauty of the corals and the fishes that live within them results to their commercialization and destruction. The corals are turned into decorative items while the fishes are sold to hobbyists,” Loren said.

She lamented that destructive gathering and fishing techniques like the use of explosives are decimating coral reefs.

Loren identified the Tubbataha Reef, Apo Island Reef in Puerto Galera, Mindoro and the reefs off Verde Islands in Negros Oriental as among those needing protection.

When it arrived at the Buenos Aires port, the illegal shipment of 1,500 pieces of coral and seashells was declared as manufactured goods.

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