Most of Southeast Asia is roofed by ocean, with a complete area estimated at roughly 5 million square kilometers. This area includes nine significant seas reminiscent of the Sulu Sea, the Andaman Sea, the Sulawesi Sea, the Banda Sea, the Arafura Sea, the Maluku Sea, the Timor Sea, the South China Sea and the Natuna Sea. Its ecosystems not only play a significant role in fisheries, maritime transport and environmental sustainability, but are also home to critical zones for global marine biodiversity.
One of the nine oceans is situated in an area surrounded by three countries, that are Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. This area, covering 900,000 square kilometers, is often known as a part of the Coral Triangle, situated within the Sulu-Sulawesi seascape. If the land has the Amazon rainforest for its wealthy biodiversity, then the ocean has the Sulu-Sulawesi seascape for a similar reason.
Where 76% (605) of the world’s coral species may be found is within the Coral Triangle, the best diversity of corals on the planet. It can also be the habitat of three,000 species of reef fish (40 percent of the world’s coral reef species), and 235 species of coral reef fish within the region are endemic or locally restricted; 6 of the 7 species of sea turtles on the planet; and three-quarters of the known molluscs.
Read also: Southeast Asia, home of the world’s rarest species of sea turtle
The wealth of the Coral Triangle plays a major role, particularly for coastal communities, where it provides livelihoods, income and food security. WWF mentioned that marine resources could possibly support the event of the nature-based tourism industry, which is value over $12 billion annually.
However, protecting this area is a giant responsibility for these three nations. Not to say the proven fact that the Coral Triangle is threatened by climate change, overfishing and destructive fishing methods. These changes could cause ecosystem imbalances for each marine and human life.
Therefore, nations have collaborated to create restoration sites which can be Tun Mustapha Park in Malaysia, Derawan Marine Protected Area in Indonesia, and Balabac Island within the Philippines. Each nation actively maintains key nursery habitats with local heroes reminiscent of coral reefs, mangroves, salt marshes or seagrass meadows; planting mangrove trees or seagrass, including the creation of artificial habitats (e.g. artificial reefs).
Cooperation between the three nations goals to realize the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in relation to “Life Below Water”. In particular, restoration efforts contribute to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals 14, including the sustainable management and conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems, conserving a minimum of 10% of coastal and marine areas, enhancing economic advantages to support local livelihoods, and increasing knowledge science and research.
