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From
the Field:
The Coral Cay Conservation Malaysia Reefs and Islands Conservation
Project
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Map
courtesy CCC |
Peninsular
Malaysia lies at the tip of the long finger of land extending from
Asia and pointing to Indonesia and Australia. It is bordered to
the north by Thailand and to the south by Singapore. Malaysia's
numerous islands include the Perhentian Islands, found off the east
coast in the South China Sea.
Densely-forested and fringed by coral reefs, the Perhentians are
home to a rich variety of plants and animals, while providing local
communities with a source of revenue from fishing and tourism. There
are two main islands, Pulau Besar and Pulau Kecil. The islands also
act as project base for the conservation organization Coral Cay
Conservation(CCC).
The
Government of Malaysia has asked CCC for assistance in establishing
a long-term collaborative programme of reef and forest surveys,
conservation education, training for local counterparts and other
initiatives. The Malaysia Reefs and Islands Conservation Project
is a three-month pilot project to undertake a rapid assessment of
the marine and terrestrial resources of Pulau Perhentian Kecil and
Pulau Perhentian Besar (collectively termed the Perhentian Islands)
in the State of Terengganu. The pilot project will run from March
to June 2003.
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Multi-lingual
sign asking the public to help protect the coral reefs.
Photo:
CCC |
Up
to 91% of reefs in Peninsular Malaysia are at risk, mainly from
destructive fishing practices, sedimentation (due to forest clearance)
and bleaching. Tourism, although still in its infancy in the Perhentian
Islands, could pose a threat if not properly managed. Other threats
to the coral reefs in the area include damage from anchors and ship
collisions and over-harvesting of fish, corals and invertebrates
for the aquarium trade and traditional medicine.
Biodiversity
and Importance
- Peninsular
Malaysia has 3,600 square kilometres of coral reef and 6,424 square
kilometres of mangrove.
- 568
coral species, 36 mangrove species and 12 seagrass species.
- Coral
reefs are home to a wide range of fish and invertebrates.
- Turtles
nest on sandy beaches.
- Mangroves
provide nurseries for reef fish.
- Perhentian
Island forests are home to monkeys, flying squirrels, lizards,
butterflies and many other species.
- Peninsular
Malaysia has some of the world's most ancient rainforest. There
are over 800 species of orchids, 200 palms, 200 mammals, 450 birds,
250 reptiles and at least 150,000 insects.
 Coral
Cay Conservation (CCC) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation
working to provide resources to help sustain livelihoods and alleviate
poverty through the protection, restoration and management of coral
reefs and tropical forests.
Click
here to find out more about Coral Cay Conservation and how you
can get involved.
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