270
WORLD ATLAS OF CORAL REEFS
reportedly caused significant damage to parts of the reef
In an effort to further protect coral reefs, marine parks
have recently been established by the Department of
Fisheries in the offshore waters surrounding 38 islands,
with considerable restrictions, including on fishing,
anchoring of boats, and disposal of sewage or solid waste.
Although detailed management structures are not yet in
place for the majority of these sites, their growing value
for tourism is increasing interest in their protection.
Singapore
Although a relatively small country, Singapore's coral
reefs have received considerable scientific attention.
Singapore consists of one large and some 50 small islands
off the southern coast of the Malay Peninsula, separated
from the mainland by the narrow Johor Strait. The
southern edge of the country faces the Singapore Strait
which connects the Strait of Malacca with the Java Sea.
Fringing reef communities are found around many of
the southern islands, despite the typically relatively turbid
waters, and 197 species of hard coral have been identified in
the country. Percentage coral cover is variable, but as much
as 76 percent was recorded in the 1980s. Unfortunately,
however, there appears to be a steady ongoing decline in
coral cover, and most reefs lost up to 65 percent between
1986 and 1999. During the 1998 bleaching event around
90 percent of all corals bleached and about 25 percent
died, including significant quantities of soft corals.
The main island is highly developed, and large areas
of fringing reefs have been directly destroyed by land
reclamation. Although the remaining reefs lie between one
of the world's busiest ports and one of the world's busiest
seaways, many reef communities remain. Sewage and
industrial waste treatment is relatively good although
increasing sediment loads appear to be taking their toll.
Average visibility has apparently diminished from 12
meters in the 1960s to about 2 meters, and mean coral
cover appears to be decreasing at most localities.
Brunei Darussalam
Brunei is another relatively small country located on the
north coast of Borneo between Sarawak and Sabah. Much
of the country inland remains forested and several rivers
flow into the South China Sea. On the Sunda Shelf
offshore the waters remain relatively shallow. There are
no fringing reefs on the mainland, but the development
around Pelong Rocks and Pulau Punyit may be considered
fringing reefs. The majority of coral growth occurs on
sub-littoral patch reefs and coral communities offshore,
and some 185 scleractinian corals from 71 genera have
been recorded.
Brunei also claims Louisa Reef, an atoll formation
which is one of the southernmost of the Spratly Islands
(see page 287) some 200 kilometers to the north of the
country. Despite their proximity to onshore development as
well as offshore oil drilling operations, these reefs are
considered to be in good condition and among the least
threatened in the region. There has been very little
commercial exploitation, and land-based sources of
sediment and pollution are relatively low.
TProtected areas with coral reefs
Mj
f
Site name
Designation
Abbreviation
lUCN cat.
Size ikm:)
^
Malaysia
Bako
National Park
NP
1
27.28
1957
Pulau Ayr
Marine Park
MP
1
97.45
na
Pulau Besar
Marine Park
MP
1
84.U
na
Pulau Chebeh
Marine Park
MP
1
U.92
1999
Pulau Ekor Tebu
Marine Park
MP
1
40.06
na
Pulau Goal
Marine Park
MP
1
45.70
na
Pulau Harimau
Marine Park
MP
1
49.00
na
Pulau Hujung
Marine Park
MP
1
52.36
na
Pulau Jahat
Marine Park
MP
1
45.20
na
':
Pulau Kaca
Marine Park
MP
1
42.50
na
Pulau Kapas
Marine Park
MP
1
21.33
na
mmm£^
^mmd
WORLD ATLAS OF CORAL REEFS
reportedly caused significant damage to parts of the reef
In an effort to further protect coral reefs, marine parks
have recently been established by the Department of
Fisheries in the offshore waters surrounding 38 islands,
with considerable restrictions, including on fishing,
anchoring of boats, and disposal of sewage or solid waste.
Although detailed management structures are not yet in
place for the majority of these sites, their growing value
for tourism is increasing interest in their protection.
Singapore
Although a relatively small country, Singapore's coral
reefs have received considerable scientific attention.
Singapore consists of one large and some 50 small islands
off the southern coast of the Malay Peninsula, separated
from the mainland by the narrow Johor Strait. The
southern edge of the country faces the Singapore Strait
which connects the Strait of Malacca with the Java Sea.
Fringing reef communities are found around many of
the southern islands, despite the typically relatively turbid
waters, and 197 species of hard coral have been identified in
the country. Percentage coral cover is variable, but as much
as 76 percent was recorded in the 1980s. Unfortunately,
however, there appears to be a steady ongoing decline in
coral cover, and most reefs lost up to 65 percent between
1986 and 1999. During the 1998 bleaching event around
90 percent of all corals bleached and about 25 percent
died, including significant quantities of soft corals.
The main island is highly developed, and large areas
of fringing reefs have been directly destroyed by land
reclamation. Although the remaining reefs lie between one
of the world's busiest ports and one of the world's busiest
seaways, many reef communities remain. Sewage and
industrial waste treatment is relatively good although
increasing sediment loads appear to be taking their toll.
Average visibility has apparently diminished from 12
meters in the 1960s to about 2 meters, and mean coral
cover appears to be decreasing at most localities.
Brunei Darussalam
Brunei is another relatively small country located on the
north coast of Borneo between Sarawak and Sabah. Much
of the country inland remains forested and several rivers
flow into the South China Sea. On the Sunda Shelf
offshore the waters remain relatively shallow. There are
no fringing reefs on the mainland, but the development
around Pelong Rocks and Pulau Punyit may be considered
fringing reefs. The majority of coral growth occurs on
sub-littoral patch reefs and coral communities offshore,
and some 185 scleractinian corals from 71 genera have
been recorded.
Brunei also claims Louisa Reef, an atoll formation
which is one of the southernmost of the Spratly Islands
(see page 287) some 200 kilometers to the north of the
country. Despite their proximity to onshore development as
well as offshore oil drilling operations, these reefs are
considered to be in good condition and among the least
threatened in the region. There has been very little
commercial exploitation, and land-based sources of
sediment and pollution are relatively low.
TProtected areas with coral reefs
Mj
f
Site name
Designation
Abbreviation
lUCN cat.
Size ikm:)
^
Malaysia
Bako
National Park
NP
1
27.28
1957
Pulau Ayr
Marine Park
MP
1
97.45
na
Pulau Besar
Marine Park
MP
1
84.U
na
Pulau Chebeh
Marine Park
MP
1
U.92
1999
Pulau Ekor Tebu
Marine Park
MP
1
40.06
na
Pulau Goal
Marine Park
MP
1
45.70
na
Pulau Harimau
Marine Park
MP
1
49.00
na
Pulau Hujung
Marine Park
MP
1
52.36
na
Pulau Jahat
Marine Park
MP
1
45.20
na
':
Pulau Kaca
Marine Park
MP
1
42.50
na
Pulau Kapas
Marine Park
MP
1
21.33
na
mmm£^
^mmd