Malaysia’s coral reefs at risk of dying off with most already bleached

The mass bleaching is caused by rising sea temperatures. Officials urged tour operators to control tourist numbers to reduce pressure on reefs

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Scuba divers swim above a bed of corals off Tioman Island in 2008. Malaysia has many popular diving spots and a rich and vibrant marine life. Photo: Reuters

Published: 3:04pm, 24 Jun 2024Updated: 3:19pm, 24 Jun 2024

More than 50 per cent of the coral reefs in Malaysia’s marine parks have been affected by mass bleaching caused by rising sea temperatures, the fisheries department said.

The assessment was made after a study conducted between April and June, it said in a statement on Sunday.

Severe or prolonged heat stress leads to corals dying off, though there is a possibility for recovery if temperatures drop and other stressors such as overfishing and pollution are reduced.

Plastic pollution, overfishing and tourism are other stressors contributing to corals dying off. Photo: Shutterstock

The department urged tour operators to control the number of tourists involved in recreation activities to reduce pressure on reefs.

“If bleaching is greater than 80 per cent, further management interventions may include temporary access restrictions to protect affected reefs,” it said.

It added that it was setting up a coral bleaching response committee with researchers, NGOs and representatives from the states of Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo island.

A green turtle lies on a bed of corals as scuba divers swim nearby off the Malaysian island of Sipadan in the Celebes Sea in 2008. Photo: Reuters

The Southeast Asian country has many popular diving spots and a rich and vibrant marine life, with waters around 42 islands gazetted as marine parks.