Coral bleaching killed 1/3 of PHL reefs in past 3 years —marine experts

A third of the country's reefs have died in the past three years due to coral bleaching, according to marine biologists.

Coral bleaching is caused by exposure of coral reefs to elevated ocean temperatures which, if prolonged, could cause the death of many corals.

In a 24 Oras report by Rida Reyes on Saturday, experts warned that coral bleaching in the Philippines has become severe especially in Western reefs such as Palawan, Masinloc, and parts of Batangas.

Dr. Alfredo Licuanan of the De La Salle University (DLSU) Shore Center said a combination of natural and human factors contribute to coral bleaching.

"Kombinasyon. Climate change at mga nilagay ng tao sa dagat, kahit sinadya o hindi sinadya," Licuanan said.

Following President Rodrido Duterte's warning against those behind turning Boracay into what he called a "cesspool," experts said it is about time for the government to crackdown on environmental law violators behind the plaguing of coral reefs.

"Kailangan magkaroon ng kaso laban doon sa mga nagba-violate ng environmental laws natin whether that's the Clean Water Act or the Fisheries Code or any other law that involves the issue in coastal tourism areas," Greenpeace Southeast Asia executive director Yeb Saño told GMA News.

As reefs are home to fish and other sea creatures, experts emphasized that coral bleaching threatens not only the livelihoods of local fishermen, but also tourism.

"Naka-depende yung aming kabuhayan sa dami ng huli na aming nakukuha...dati, tatlong oras o apat na oras lamang kaming mangingisda sa malapit lang na isdaan, kailangan naming lumayo rin (para) hanapin 'yung umalis na isda," said sectoral representative for fisherfolk, Ruperto Alerosa.

Experts also warned that coastal communities in the Philippines, known for its rich marine biodiversity, will suffer the same fate as the Manila Bay if coral bleaching continues to worsen.

Reuters has reported that the risk of severe global bleaching has continued to rise by about four percent per year since 1980. —Margaret Claire Layug/ALG, GMA News