Photo (Redang island, July 2010) courtesy of Edvin Eng.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Coral Reef Bleaching
"Coral reef bleaching, the whitening of diverse invertabrate taxa, results from the loss of symbiotic zooxantheallae (microscopic algae that live in the tissue of many corals) and/or a reduction in photosynthetic pigment concentrations in zooxantheallae residing within scleratinian corals." (Jason Buchheim, Odyssey Expeditions - Marine Biology Learning Center Publications)
In other words, bleaching coral reefs equal coral reefs in trouble. The corals lose their zooxantheallae. Without zooxantheallae, the corals lose their colour (hence the term "bleaching"), but worse, life gets difficult for the corals. Bleached corals are more susceptible to disease and reproduction/growth is adversely affected.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority cites that high water temperature is the primary cause of coral bleaching.
My friends who just returned from a dive trip in Redang were lamenting about how bad the bleaching was there, and how warm the sea temperatures were, with the dive computer registering temperatures of 31-32dC (the generally-agreed optimal temperature for corals is in the range of 24dC-29dC, depending on coral species). Their wetsuits were left dry on land while they just went into the water with shorts and rashguards.
And rising sea temperatures is one of the more significant physical impact of global warming.
Can bleached corals recover? Yes, they can. If conditions return to normal, corals can regain their zooxantheallae and become healthy again!
Today, The Star reported that several dive sites at marine parks in the country have been temporarily closed to allow the corals to recover from bleaching. This means no diving or snorkelling activities in these sites.
While the move is good to give time for the corals to heal without the intrusion of homo sapiens, my concern is that this may result in more divers and snorkellers crowding to the other dive sites that are still open and causing accelerated damage there.
For example, it was announced that Renggis, Soyak, Chebeh and Batu Malang sites in Tioman are off-limits for now. As a result, divers in Tioman will flock to sites like Tiger Reef, Magician's Rock or Sawadee and we'll have a case of seeing more divers there than fish.
I'm not saying the move doesn't have its benefits, but my point is that we need balanced and long-term solutions that address the root of the problem, and inevitably some hard decisions need to be made.
Things like investing to ensure each island has systematic and robust sewerage systems, fighting corruption and stopping uncontrolled development, educating the local island population, proper maintenance of boats and sea ferries, educating visitors to snorkel and dive responsibly, and close monitoring of our marine ecosystems, among others.
And of course, each of us can play our part in our daily lives to save the reefs by stemming the tide of global warming:
In other words, bleaching coral reefs equal coral reefs in trouble. The corals lose their zooxantheallae. Without zooxantheallae, the corals lose their colour (hence the term "bleaching"), but worse, life gets difficult for the corals. Bleached corals are more susceptible to disease and reproduction/growth is adversely affected.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority cites that high water temperature is the primary cause of coral bleaching.
My friends who just returned from a dive trip in Redang were lamenting about how bad the bleaching was there, and how warm the sea temperatures were, with the dive computer registering temperatures of 31-32dC (the generally-agreed optimal temperature for corals is in the range of 24dC-29dC, depending on coral species). Their wetsuits were left dry on land while they just went into the water with shorts and rashguards.
And rising sea temperatures is one of the more significant physical impact of global warming.
Can bleached corals recover? Yes, they can. If conditions return to normal, corals can regain their zooxantheallae and become healthy again!
Today, The Star reported that several dive sites at marine parks in the country have been temporarily closed to allow the corals to recover from bleaching. This means no diving or snorkelling activities in these sites.
While the move is good to give time for the corals to heal without the intrusion of homo sapiens, my concern is that this may result in more divers and snorkellers crowding to the other dive sites that are still open and causing accelerated damage there.
For example, it was announced that Renggis, Soyak, Chebeh and Batu Malang sites in Tioman are off-limits for now. As a result, divers in Tioman will flock to sites like Tiger Reef, Magician's Rock or Sawadee and we'll have a case of seeing more divers there than fish.
I'm not saying the move doesn't have its benefits, but my point is that we need balanced and long-term solutions that address the root of the problem, and inevitably some hard decisions need to be made.
Things like investing to ensure each island has systematic and robust sewerage systems, fighting corruption and stopping uncontrolled development, educating the local island population, proper maintenance of boats and sea ferries, educating visitors to snorkel and dive responsibly, and close monitoring of our marine ecosystems, among others.
And of course, each of us can play our part in our daily lives to save the reefs by stemming the tide of global warming:
(1) Use lights, fans and air-conditioners only when necessary. Switch them off when not in use.
(2) Be prudent in usage of water.
(3) Switch off computers and laptops when not in use instead of leaving them switched on or in standby mode. Instead of spending the evening on facebook, go take a walk at the park.
(4) Use public transport wherever possible.
(5) Recycle, reuse.
(6) Keep your car tyres properly inflated. Saves on carbon emmissions.
When you're visiting any of our beautiful islands, here's what you can do:
When you're visiting any of our beautiful islands, here's what you can do:
(1) Avoid physical contact with corals. Keep hands and fins clear of the reef.
(2) Do not litter in the sea or anywhere else. Discard rubbish into designated bins.
(3) Don't remove any marine elements like shells from the sea or the beach.
I have plans to dive Tioman next month. I'll miss the currents at Chebeh and the giant grouper at Renggis, but here's to hoping that the reefs will heal to a healthy state!
I have plans to dive Tioman next month. I'll miss the currents at Chebeh and the giant grouper at Renggis, but here's to hoping that the reefs will heal to a healthy state!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Felicitaciones España
It's Monday morning, and i'm feeling the effects of waking up in the wee hours of the morning to watch the World Cup final, which went on to extra time to rob me of more zzz.
So in my sleep-deprived condition, here are a few short phrases to describe the match between Netherlands and Spain.
World Cup final nerves.
Missed opportunities (the kind that would haunt a football player for life).
Flurries of the colour yellow.
Speedy Robben.
Stud marks on the chest.
Orange wall.
Ill-tempered.
Tactical substitutions.
The usual theaterics.
And a solitary goal ensures Spain finally gets a star on their emblem.
So in my sleep-deprived condition, here are a few short phrases to describe the match between Netherlands and Spain.
World Cup final nerves.
Missed opportunities (the kind that would haunt a football player for life).
Flurries of the colour yellow.
Speedy Robben.
Stud marks on the chest.
Orange wall.
Ill-tempered.
Tactical substitutions.
The usual theaterics.
And a solitary goal ensures Spain finally gets a star on their emblem.
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