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Coral reefs are the most biodiverse aquatic
ecosystems, home to a great variety of life and therefore extremely important
to the global ecosystem. Not only do they serve as breeding, spawning,
feeding and foraging habitats but they are also a form of coastal protection,
reducing the damaging impact of waves and storms on coastal ecosystems.
The future of Sabah's coral reefs however, is dependent on conservation
to save them from the following threats:
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Live
corals, collected by individuals or bought as souvenirs, reduces reefs and
causes habitat loss of reef dwelling species. |
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Sea
temperature rise caused by global warming is killing the coloured algae
which live within the coral. This causes bleaching events which is ultimately
the deathof the coral and the organisms which feed upon it. |
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Overfishing
has disrupted the ecosystem balance causing an increase in crown of thorns
starfish which eat and destroy corals. |
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Land run off including
pesticides and fertilizers pollute the waters around reefs and damage coral
and fish populations. |
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Wastes
not disposed of properly such as plastic bags, bottles and discarded fishing
nets make their way out onto the reef where animals may eat them or become
trapped and entangled. |
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Fuel leakage, spills
and boat anchors degrade, break and destroy reef colonies. |
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As
demand for fish increases, numbers of fish are decreasing and fish populations
are unable to recover from such losses.
More info on overfishing issues>>
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Fishermen use cyanide
and other poisons to stun and capture live fish. This decreases fish populations
and the poisons destroy local corals
More info on Seafood Guide for
live fish trade >>
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Many local
fishing communities are dependent on these reefs for their livelihoods.
More info on coral reefs >>
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