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ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
THE CORAL REEF
Pagatpat, Karl A.
The issue about coral reef has been taken for granted. Certainly, not all
of us are aware of what are the changes and damages that the coral reefs
have undergone. e are not aware since what we have always in mind is the
drastic changes in the weather due to the pollution. e have taken for
granted that our pollution greatly a!ects the coral reef.
Thus, there is a need for us to understand the importance of coral reefs
before we can tackle the damages and the e!ects on our lives. Coral reefs
cover an area of over "#$,$$$ km" and support thousands of species in what
many describe as the %rainforests of the seas&. Coral reefs bene't the
environment and people in numerous ways. (or e)ample, they protect shores
from the impact of waves and from storms* provide bene'ts to humans in the
form of food and medicine* Provide economic bene'ts to local communities
from tourism.
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Coral reefs provide a habitat for the tiny 'shes and other life
forms that can be found in the sea. The corals in the corals reefs despite on
their rock like features, they are actually animals. They come in many forms
and te)tures.
Coral reefs are the most diverse and beautiful of all marine
habitats. +arge wave resistant structures have accumulated from the slow
growth of corals. The development of these structures is aided by algae that
are symbiotic with reef,building corals, known as -oo)anthellae. Coralline
algae, sponges, and other organisms, combined with a number of
cementation processes also contribute to reef growth. The dominant
organisms are known as framework builders, because they provide the
matri) for the growing reef. Corals and coralline algae precipitate calcium
carbonate, whereas the framework, building sponges may also precipitate
silica. .ost of these organisms are colonial, and the slow process of
precipitation moves the living surface layer of the reef upward and seaward.
The reef is topographically comple). .uch like a rain forest, it has many
strata and areas of strong shade, cast by the overtowering coral colonies.
/ecause of the comple)ity, thousands of species of 'sh and invertebrates
live in association with reefs, which are by far our richest marine habitats. 0n
Caribbean reefs, for e)ample, several hundred species of colonial
invertebrates can be found living on the undersides of platy corals. 0t is not
unusual for a reef to have several hundred species of snails, si)ty species of
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corals, and several hundred species of 'sh. 6f all ocean habitats, reefs seem
to have the greatest development of comple) symbiotic associations.
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To sum up the de'nitions and e)planations of what coral reefs is, we
can get to the point that the coral reefs that we have has life and as well
gives life which in conse8uence it provides us sustenance through the 'shes
that we have on our table. The coral reefs that can be found under the
mantle of the great waves and seas is like a forest in the land. 0n comparison,
there is no substantial distinction as for what, how or why these things or
reef or forest have for us. Clearly, it gives life to us and thus, we have a
responsibility in maintaining and preserving it not 9ust for ourselves but as
well for our generations to come.
:A.A;<
Coral reefs are some of the most biologically rich and economically
valuable ecosystems on <arth. They provide food, 9obs, income, and
protection to billions of people worldwide. =owever, coral reefs and the
magni'cent creatures that call them home are in danger of disappearing if
actions are not taken to protect them. They are threatened by an increasing
range of impacts including pollution, invasive species, diseases, bleaching,
and global climate change. The rapid decline and loss of these valuable,
ancient, and comple) ecosystems have signi'cant social, economic, and
environmental conse8uences in the world.
The study shows that "$> of the world?s coral reefs have been
e!ectively destroyed and show no immediate prospects of recovery*
Appro)imately 7$> of the 1@> of the world?s reefs that were seriously
damaged in 1AA# are either recovering well or have recovered* The report
predicts that "7> of the world?s reefs are under imminent risk of collapse
through human pressures* and a further "@> are under a longer term threat
of collapse*
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A report from the orld Besources 0nstitute CB0D in 1AA#
suggested that as much as @$ percent of the earth?s coral reefs are
threatened by human activity. 1cientists have said that as much as AE
percent of Famaica?s reefs are dying or dead.
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Clearly, upon the reports of various international communities, the
corals reefs that we have left are in danger. These calamities that the coral
reefs are encountering are greatly attributed to the activities of humanity.
The industriali-ation, the ways of 'shing and other related forms brings
damage to our coral reefs. Beefs in Asia are vulnerable to two local 'shing
methods, both immensely destructive. /last 'shing involves the use of
dynamite to stun or kill the 'sh by shock waves and collecting them as they
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Koat to the surface. (ish that are stunned are sold to restaurants that
prepare 'sh live or, more and more, to satisfy the growing worldwide
demand for ornamental a8uarium 'sh. Another method uses cyanide poured
into the water which also kills and stuns 'sh. The harmful impact of dynamite
blasts and cyanide on coral is obvious, and leads directly to reduced
numbers of 'sh overall since their habitat is degraded. Anthony 1paeth, Beef
Killers* the use of to)ic cyanide to snag live 'sh for gourmands in southeast
asia is damaging a delicate ocean habitat, Time, Fune 5, 1AA@. <ven if heavy
'shing activity in a reef does not directly damage the coral, over'shing of
herbivores such as parrot 'sh will result in damage because no protection is
left against fast,growing seaweed which always threatens to engulf reefs.
0ndeed, the comple)ity and interdependencies of a reef ecosystem makes it
particularly vulnerable to overe)ploitation of particular species.
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0n the "$$7 edition of 1tatus of Coral Beefs Around the orld it listed
the following top 1$ emerging threats in these three categories2 1. ;lobal
Change Threat wherein it indicates the following* Coral /leaching caused by
elevated sea surface temperatures due to climate change, rising levels of
co" and disease, plagues and invasives which is linked to human
disturbances in the environment. ". :irect =uman Pressures wherein it
provides the following* 6ver 'shing Cand global market pressureD L including
the use of damaging practices Cbomb and cyanide 'shingD, sediments from
poor land use, deforestation and dredging, Iutrients and chemical pollution,
development of coastal areas for urban, industrial, transport and tourism
developments, including reclamation and mining of coral reef rock and sand
beyond sustainable limits. 5. The =uman :imension L ;overnance Awareness
and Political ill wherein it gives the following* rising poverty, increasing
populations, alienation from the land, poor capacity for management and
lack of resources and lack of political will, and 6cean governance.
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:ue to the prevailing climate change, earth?s temperature soars high
and this brings a great e!ect to our coral reefs. 6ur seas since in time of
memorial have been the great source of absorbing heat. :ue to this
phenomenon it causes coral bleaching and thus it ultimately kills our reefs.
.uch more, the prevailing practices of 'shing not 9ust to mention the use of
bomb and cyanide but as well the use of moro,ami in catching 'sh has
caused a great damage to our coral reefs. The point of all this discussion is
that, the more we continue to damage our coral reef the lesser our future to
become a livable place to be here on earth. 0t is not 9ust the 'shermen who
are greatly a!ected in this phenomenon but as well, we, people who might
be living in the towering building in the metropolis. The continued changes in
the environment bring us to a reali-ation and a challenge that we must act
on it. To do something that will change the course of future for the
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betterment even if we cannot e)perience the e!ects right away in our
protection of the environment.
CAM1< 6( ACT06I
.a9or countries all over the world are aware of the phenomenon that
greatly a!ects our ma9or corals reefs and as well local reefs. These countries
are as well aware that the scarcity of seafoods are brought about from the
e!ects of pollution, may it be, through the acts due to industriali-ation or to
the ever growing population in each country wherein the demand goes
higher every day.
The 0nternational Coral Beef 0nitiative has provided some goals for us
to achieve in order to salvage the remaining living reefs from destruction.
These are2
1D ;overnments and international organi-ations strengthening commitment
to and implementation of programs at the local, national, regional, and
international levels to conserve, restore and promote sustainable use of coral
reefs and associated environments*
"D <ach country and region incorporating into e)isting local, regional, and
national development plans, management and provisions for protection,
restoration, and sustainable use of the structure, processes and biodiversity
of coral reefs and associated environments*
5D 1trengthening capacity for development and implementation of policies,
management, research and monitoring of coral reefs and associated
environments*
7D <stablishing and maintaining coordination of international, regional and
national research and monitoring programs, including the ;lobal Coral Beef
.onitoring Ietwork, in association with the ;lobal 6cean 6bserving 1ystem,
to ensure eNcient use of scarce resources and a Kow of information relevant
to management of coral reefs and associated environments.
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0t is evident that our government in cooperation with other
international organi-ations provided measures in preserving our coral reefs.
Begardless who the culprit is, in virtue of our territorial 9urisdiction, we
manage to ask for damages to those owners of ships who were are able to
destroy our coral reefs such as those war vessels of the Mnited 1tates of
America and any other commercial ships. .ore so, our government created
laws in protection as well with the coral reefs.
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0n Bepublic Act Io. #EE$ which is An Act Providing for the :evelopment
.anagement and Conversation of the (ishing and A8uatic Besources,
0ntegrating all +aws Pertinent thereto, and for other purposes, or also known
as The Philippine (isheries Code of 1AA# provides protection not 9ust on for
the 'shes but as well all a8uatic resources which includes the coral reefs.
The law provides that 0t shall be unlawful for any person or corporation to
gather, possess, sell or e)port ordinary precious and semi,precious corals,
whether raw or in processed form, e)cept for scienti'c or research purposes.
(urthermore it says that, 0t shall be unlawful for any person, natural or
9uridical, to 'sh with gear method that destroy coral reefs, seagrass beds,
and other 'shery marine life habitat as may be determined by the
:epartment. O.uro,AmiO and any of its variation, and such similar gear and
methods that re8uire diving, other physical or mechanical acts to pound the
coral reefs and other habitat to entrap, gather or catch 'sh and other 'shery
species are also prohibited.
/asically in the light of our e)isting laws the prohibition pertaining to
corals reefs are interconnected to how the 'shing activities is conducted in
our country. 0t is crystal clear that our country made and introduced many
laws or ordinances in an attempt to protect the natural environment on the
islands and in the national waters.
The remedy that we have right now will have a greater e!ect to our
future generation. The moment that we do something today will not
automatically gives fruit to us. =owever, that is why we have the word
legacy. 0t would be so sad that we can 9ust show to our children some
pictures of what coral reef is simply because they are gone and our children
themselves can no longer see them. The main point is even if we are 9ust at
home, we can still do something. To stop pollution in our very home has a big
impact to our coral reef. This is because, one of the reason why our coral
reefs die is because of global warming, the waters now are continues to heat
up every day and this causes to the death of corals. (urthermore, the
continued education to our 'shermen and their villages is very important
since they are the primary work force in maintaining and preserving the coral
reefs. These educations should be passed on their children as well.
hen everything has been done and all the actions have been brought
all that we need to do then is to wait for the e!ect, but the assurance that
we have is not 9ust for us but as well for the assurance of our future
generation, that is, they can still see how beautiful the forest that is located
underneath the mantle of the waves in the sea. .ore importantly as well, the
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scarcity of food will never be a problem since the great source of our
nourishment is can be found in the sea. The reciprocal e!ect will always
remind us, that is, once we protect our coral reef or the environment, they
will as well protect us.