Bandar Seri Begawan - A Study on marine biodiversity has found that only 50 sq km of Brunei's waters, which spans about 40,000 sq km, is covered by coral reefs.

However, despite a coral cover of about 0.12 per cent, the "Kingdom of Unexpected Treasures" boasts more than 400 species of coral and over 670 species of reef fishes in the areas surveyed by a team of scientists in October 2008 and May this year.

This bountiful marine life has prompted the invitation of Brunei into the thriving Coral Triangle, which the Sultanate readily accepted last month during the recent BIMP-EAGA (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia and the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) summit in Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand.

The invitation to join the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) was made by the three EAGA partner countries, which are already included in the six million square kilometre area known also as the "epicentre of coral reefs".

To highlight Brunei's rich marine resources, the Fisheries Department launched two books yesterday at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, "Coral Reefs of Brunei Darussalam" and "Reef Fishes of Brunei Darussalam".

Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar, who officiated the launching, stressed the importance of protecting and preserving these living underwater habitats.

"Considering the important role that these coral reefs play to the marine ecosystem and considering the very small area (they cover), it is imperative that we ensure that these coral reefs are preserved so they will not become extinct just like that," he said.

The minister added dynamite fishing and using chemicals such as cyanide destroy the marine resources and damaged natural coral reefs.

Although such practices are often heard of in this region, Pehin Dato Hj Yahya urged fishermen and stakeholders to stop the practice of destructive fishing methods.

Lie stressed that these naturally-occurring ecosystems should be preserved for the future generations.
He said that destruction of these coral reef habitats would not only wipe away the unique ecosystem but consequently, diminish the fishermen's source of livelihood.

It was hoped that the books launched yesterday would not only showcase the diverse species of coral reefs and reef fishes found in Brunei waters in written record, but also raise public awareness of their existence and the need to protect these treasures.

"It is hoped that these books will become promotion material to promote the uniqueness of the country to tourists and expose the beauty of the coral reefs found in our waters, to be explored and to appreciate their wonders," the minister said.

The books are the outcome of the first and second phases of the marine biodiversity survey carried out by the Fisheries Department, which enlisted the expertise of four world class coral and reef fish scientists. The books would also be reference source for scientists and researchers studying Brunei's waters. The books are planned to be released to the public in the near future, according to a Fisheries officer.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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