The triangle of life

Raja Ampat is the centre of the Coral Triangle

The underwater world of South-East Asia has long been famed for its wealth & diversity of marine life. But it is only relatively recently that scientists have begun to get a hold on just how diverse and special the area is.

Their research has led to the birth of the Coral Triangle - an area encompassing Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papau New Guinea & the Solomon Islands - that has been identified as the most diverse marine ecosystem on our planet.

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A biological wonderland

Coral Reefs worldwide cover only 0.02% of the world's oceans, yet they are vitally important. Despite their relatively tiny area, they support a quarter of the world's marine species, while 500 million people rely on the reef's resources for their livelihoods. Millions more of us benefit from their wealth of treasures, primarily through food and tourism.

The Coral Triangle is the epi-centre for this diversity - the engine room of the marine world. Within its boundaries are over 600 species of reef-building corals, which are vital to the future health of coral reefs & their residents. This amounts to 75% of the world's total. As a gauge to its diversity, the whole of the Caribbean has just 60 species of coral.

Remarkable Residents
The triangle is not only special for its corals. The reefs and their surrounding waters support: over 3000 different species of fish; 6 of the world's 7 turtle species, providing nesting grounds for five of these species; three-quarters of known Molluscs, (such as Octopus & Squid); 22 species of Dolphin; at least 9 species of Whale; the endangered Dugong; many Manta Rays & Whalesharks and even the Coelacanth - an ancient fish that pre-dates even the mighty Dinosaurs.

In addition, 75% of the world's mangrove species are found in the triangle, along with 45% of sea-grasses - both vital habitats for Turtles, Dugongs and countless juvenile marine species..... and all in an area that makes up just 1% of the world's oceans.

A Stable Past
The first question you may ask is, how did this area become such a bio-diversity hotspot? Why does this area, as opposed to any other area of the world, have such an unrivalled variety of life?

The answer lies in the area's past. Through-out it's history, while other marine habitats have been frozen in ice during ice ages or left high and dry by falling sea levels, this area of the world remained mostly underwater. As a result, marine life has been allowed to evolve unhindered.

Added to that, while other areas of the world drifted from the equator - to temperate and even polar regions as a result of plate tectonics, this area remained near the tropics in warm, clear water - which provide the perfect environment for coral reefs - the most productive and diverse of all habitats on earth.

This continued stability and ideal conditions over millions of years has created a biological wonderland we are only now beginning to understand and appreciate - the famed Coral Triangle.

The Coral King
Over recent years, a number of areas have held the title of the world's most diverse marine habitat, but currently, that title is held by Raja Ampat. This group of islands, consisting of four main islands, around 1,500 smaller islets and 2,500 reefs, can be found on the western tip of Western Papua, formerly known as Irian Jaya. Aptly, the translation of Raja Ampat is 'four kings', a name given to the area when it was granted to four kings by a sultan of the famed Spice Islands many centuries ago.

This relatively small, remote area in the Halmahera Sea has 600 coral species, 700 Molluscs & more than 1,200 species of fish. Nutrient rich currents feed the reefs and its inhabitants, which have remained relatively free from human interference due to their remote location. As a result, the numbers and variety of species is simply bewildering - a true king of kings.

Feeling the strain

People Pressure
This area of richness and diversity is also one of the most densely populated regions on earth. The area that comprises the coral triangle is also home to 150 million people, including over 2 million fishermen.

The vast majority of this rapidly growing population live near the coast and rely on the resources of the sea for much of their income, which is putting pressure on the area. Increased sedimentation and pollution flow into the sea, impacting coral reefs.

Half of the world's supply of Tuna comes from this region, supporting a multi-billion dollar industry. The area has many other commercially viable species, such as Napoleon Wrasse and Groupers that are now under huge pressure as a result of the ever growing demand. 75% of the global aqua-culture industry is centred around the coral triangle, with an estimated value of over US$800 million per year. The huge increase in demand for Shark Fins across China and other Asian countries, for Shark Fin Soup, has had a devastating impact on shark populations in many areas.

Over-fishing is a huge problem for the health of the marine ecosystem - Indonesia estimates that most of its fisheries are already fully exploited or over-exploited, meaning that they are being fished at unsustainable levels. This estimate is based on the legal catch, but many more fish are caught illegally.

The use of destructive fishing practices has also impacted greatly on the health of the reefs. The practices of dynamite fishing - blowing up the reef for fish; Cyanide fishing, when fish are poisoned indiscriminately; bottom trawling and long-line fishing all result in great damage to the area's marine-life. These techniques bring short-term gain but a a huge price - destroying the ecosystem that so many people rely on. It is estimated that, over the past 25 years, the damage caused by dynamite fishing to reef ecosystems has resulted in the loss of US$3.8 billion dollars of income to Indonesia. And it is estimated that the total income produced from the coral triangle is around US$2.3 billion annually.

Fortunately, this kind of economic argument is hitting home. Individuals & Governments alike are realising that by managing their marine habitat well, they receive long-term, sustainable benefits.

A Word of Warming
Another very real threat to the coral reefs is climate change. As our world warms, so do the seas. The ideal water temperature for corals is between 21 and 29 degrees Celsius. If the water is too warm, corals bleach as the symbiotic algae inside the corals, which provide its colour.... and most of its food, die. In 1998, El Nino weather system raised water temperatures, affecting 75% of the world's reefs and killing 16% of the corals.

It is estimated that, within 25-50 years, if current trends continue, coral bleaching could well be an annual event. A warmer world also means more extreme weather, including powerful tropical storms and cyclones, which can cause great damage coral reefs.

Additional threats as a result of climate change are acidification, as a result of increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and rising sea levels. In addition to the massive impact rising sea levels would have on the human population, it would also flood the special mangrove habitats, which act as a crucial nursery for the area's marine life.

A fragile future

Leading Lights
There are a number of organisations & individuals that are working tirelessly to reduce these threats and preserve the coral triangle. Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy & the World Wildlife Fund are working with individuals, communities and governments to bring about change. There are also smaller, less well-known organisations, such as Project Seahorse in the Philippines, who do a fantastic job to raise awareness and change cultures and practices.
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One of the initiatives that is being set up is the creation of a wide-ranging network of Marine Protected Areas, or 'no take' zones. Creating areas where no fishing at all is allowed has been proven to have significant benefits for the surrounding areas in terms of healthy fish populations. Schemes that are well-managed are bringing significant benefits to local communities, encouraging other communities, with the help of Governments and Conservation Agencies to follow their lead.

A Coral Triangle Initiative has been created, involving all six countries that form part of the coral triangle, plus conservation agencies and some (but not enough) western governments. This Initiative has established a governing body for the area, a team of experts to study and monitor the region, and a rapid alert system to respond quickly and effectively to threats to the triangle.

Conservation organisations are working hard to promote sustainable, non destructive fishing practices within coastal and offshore fisheries to create a well-managed, sustainable industry, especially for aqua-culture and tuna - two of the most valuable industries of the region. Work is also being done to protect turtle nesting, foraging and migratory routes and habitats and promote alternative fishing techniques that are less harmful to turtles.

They are also lobbying governments and organisations to force action to reduce the effects of climate change.

Making a Difference
Still more needs to be done though. More money is needed, as is more awareness of the area's riches and threats. More pressure needs to be put on those in power to prioritise the area and implement solutions.

And you can help too. Supporting the many aid agencies in the area (see the list below), volunteering to work on crucial projects and lobbying your local government to do more are three ways in which your help can be invaluable. It is possible to protect the area's bio-diversity, but to do this, we need to work together..... and today.

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