The wide geographic range that Malaysia covers means that diverse coral reefs can be found in varied condition across the country.

Malaysia encompasses 11 states and 2 federal territories on the Malay Peninsula and 2 states on the island of Borneo, 600 square kilometers to the east. The wide geographic range that Malaysia covers means that diverse coral reefs can be found in varied condition across the country. Little reef development occurs along the west coast of Peninsular (or West) Malaysia, but the east coast of West Malaysia has some fringing reefs along the coast and many reefs around the offshore islands. East Malaysia, which comprises the states of Sarawak and Sabah, makes up the northern one third of the island of Borneo. Because of high sedimentation, reef development around Sarawak is limited. However, Sabah contains more than 75 percent of all Malaysian reefs and has high levels of coral diversity. Overall, more than 350 coral species are found in Malaysia.[1]

Threats facing Malaysian reefs differ according to location. Peninsular Malaysian reefs are most affected by development. High-traffic shipping lanes run along the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia through the Straits of Malacca. Reefs in this area can be subject to oil spills and anchor damage. Agriculture and development on the peninsula have caused increased sediment and nutrient runoff. Some west coast reefs are now damaged by seasonal macroalgae blooms.[2] Destructive fishing practices are not widespread in Peninsular Malaysia due to higher enforcement and less dependence on coastal fisheries.[3]

East Malaysian reefs are subject to different threats. In contrast to Peninsular Malaysia, both blast and cyanide fishing methods are widespread around Sabah, particularly around Labuan. Blast and cyanide fishing have ruined formerly pristine reefs like those surrounding the islands off Semporna. In damaged sites like Boheydulang and Bodgaya Island, abundance and size of fish are markedly decreased. In Sarawak, river sedimentation is also an important threat. Reefs near the Miri River have 20-30 percent live coral cover and large amounts of algal growth.[4]

Information about coral cover in Peninsular Malaysia is somewhat limited. Surveys of coral reefs along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia suggest relatively high coral cover, 55-70 percent on most fringing reefs. On the west coast of the peninsula, the percentage of live coral cover is generally lower, from 25 to 45 percent. [5]

Coral surveys are more extensive in East Malaysia. From 1996 to 1999, 49 coral reefs throughout Sabah were surveyed. Live coral cover ranged from 15 to 75 percent. Dead coral cover, which is indicative of recent damage, accounted for 10-20 percent of benthos cover at nearly 70 percent of surveyed sites.[6] Only 10 percent of reefs had dead coral cover under 10 percent.[7] Coral reefs on Sipadan Island are thought to be in the best condition among reefs off the coast of Sabah. [8] Bleaching surveys in East Malaysia during the 1997-98 El Niño event indicate moderate bleaching. At Pulau Gaya and Lahad Datu, approximately 30 pecent of the coral cover was bleached. [9]

The RRSEA project found that over 85 percent of Malaysian reefs are threatened by human activities. Destructive fishing and overfishing are the primary threats, impacting 68 percent and 56 percent of reefs, respectively. Coastal development and sedimentation from upland sources each affect approximately 23 percent of coral reefs in Malaysia.

Malaysia has several marine protected areas, including the Turtle Islands Heritage Park, a historic transboundary park jointly administered with the Philippines. These MPAs vary in their management effectiveness; most marine parks in Malaysia suffer from issues such as inadequate personnel, logistical problems, and scarce financing. Enforcing regulations and monitoring reef status are particularly challenging.

Notes

1. Chou Loke Ming, "Status of Southeast Asian Coral Reefs," in C. Wilkinson, ed., Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 1998 (Cape Ferguson: Australian Institute of Marine Science, 1998), p. 83.

2. Chou, "Status of Southeast Asian Coral Reefs," p. 83.

3. Chou Loke Ming, "Southeast Asian Reefs-Status Update: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam," in Wilkinson, Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000, p. 124.

4. N. Pilcher and A. Cabanban, The Status of Coral Reefs in Sabah, Labuan and Sarawak, East Malaysia (Cape Ferguson: Australian Institute of Marine Science, 2000), pp. 12, 14.

5. Chou, "Status of Southeast Asian Coral Reefs," p. 83.

6. Pilcher and Cabanban, The Status of Coral Reefs in Sabah, Labuan and Sarawak, East Malaysia, p. 14.

7. Chou, "Southeast Asian Reefs-Status Update," p. 124.

8. Pilcher and Cabanban, The Status of Coral Reefs in Sabah, Labuan and Sarawak, East Malaysia, p. 1.

9. Pilcher and Cabanban, The Status of Coral Reefs in Sabah, Labuan and Sarawak, East Malaysia, p. 29.