Andi Hajramurni, Makassar – Coral reef destruction in South Sulawesi has reached an alarming heights and today poses a real threat to the ongoing livelihoods of regional fishermen.
With some 70 per cent of the reefs destroyed, the affect has also seen enormous losses to the state via the fishery sector.
A latest analysis on the condition of coral reefs in the area conducted by Hasanuddin University's Coral Reef Research Center in Makassar shows that 76 percent of around 5,000 square kilometers is damaged. Out of the 76 percent, 36 percent are in critical shape, while the remaining 40 percent have been damaged.
The worst-affected reefs are around Bulukumba regency, with a destruction level of 100 percent. This is followed closely by Pangkajene Islands (Pangkep) at 97 percent, Sinjai at 86 percent and Selayar, which encompasses the Taka Bonerate undersea national park, at 70 percent.
Head of the university's Maritime Study Program, Chair Rani, said the destruction has been taking place for the past 10 years.
Data issued by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) in 1996 showed around 17 percent of coral reefs had been damaged. But an analysis by the university has shown the damage has reached 40 percent.
Critical areas, however, have dropped from 64 percent to 36 percent. "If the condition persists, the coral reefs would likely disappear and coastal communities would bear the brunt," Chair told The Jakarta Post.
Head of South Sulawesi Maritime and Fishery Office, Sahrun, confirmed the scale of destruction. However, he said the condition was not as bad as that disclosed by researchers from the university.
He said he estimated the level of destruction only stood between 40 and 60 percent. "Coral reef damage has continued for quite a long time," Sahrun said.
Several factors have been blamed, but the most disastrous is the long-practiced habit of using fishing bombs and poison to catch fish. The reefs were also exploited for exports and building material.
Natural disasters including earthquakes and strong waves, have also seen a deterioration in the state of the coral reefs. Fish bombs and poison not only cause serious damage but they decimate coral reefs and marine biota.
Coral reefs grow at a very slow rate of between one and 10 cm per year – even longer for certain species.
But fishermen continue to practice illegal fishing, opting for bombs and poison to catch their fish quickly and easily. "People are not aware that coral reefs grow very slowly," Chair said.
"Restoring them is not an easy task and it requires a lot of time and money. With the damaged condition the reefs are in today, it could take hundreds of years to restore them."
He said the damage would decimate marine bio-diversity around the reefs, including coral fish which depend on reefs to take shelter, seek food and breed. The damage would eventually see coastal communities, especially fishermen, face difficulties in their search for fish.
Coral destruction would also see an increase in coastal abrasion because the coral reefs would no longer break waves before they hit the beach.
But still the coral reefs, which vary shape and colors, along with the diverse marine biota around them, have become a tourist attraction. Many foreign tourists are charmed by and regularly visit reef areas for diving and snorkeling.
Sahrun said South Sulawesi administration has launched efforts to prevent further damage to coral reefs and to carry out restoration works.
Pangkep and Selayar regencies would receive assistance from the World Bank this year to help prevent a further reduction of coral reefs, he said.
A number of preventative and awareness activities have also been organized, including workshops to raise awareness of the damaged being done and to stop illegal fishing practices. The workshops would also aim to help fishermen develop other skills for alternative jobs.
"We hope that by involving the people, the rate of coral reef destruction can be reduced," Sahrun said.
Rani said the most effective way to prevent coral reef destruction was by implementing community-based marine management and protection programs. The programs, he said, should directly encourage people to manage and protect their marine resources.
He said law enforcement should be strictly implemented. A number of regulations on the environment and coastal management are in place, but are not fully enforced.
And research has shown traditional fishermen are not the only culprits of illegal fishing practices – large-scale companies are also to blame.
However, corrupt officials often turn blind eye, Sahurn said and surveillance was not managed properly due to a limited number of personnel and equipment.
The South Sulawesi Maritime and Fishery Office has only 10 personnel and a small speed boat to guard a vast area.
"Commitment and cooperation from every party is a must in saving the coral reefs," Sahurn said. "We should keep in mind the coral reefs are in a critical shape and that ongoing damage of them might see much more harmful repercussions."