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Destruction of the
coral
reefs
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In
1998 was reported by Earth Watch that 30 % of the Philippine coral reefs
were dead and 39 % were dying*.
In 2000 representatives of universities at a symposium in |
Indonesia noted that... "... 95.7 % of the
reefs in the Philippines are in a very bad state...". Indonesia and the
Philippines are the two countries where the consequences of
'dynamite and cyanide fishing' are now widespread*.
* Source: The
World Bank |
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Destruction
of coral reefs all over the world!
Some 900 corals
reefs in other parts of the world are similarly damaged as in the
Philippines. However, the situation in the Philippines is the worst.
Worldwide 35 Millions acres of coral reefs, located in 93
countries, is destroyed.
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If the rate of destruction
will not diminish, 70 percent of all the world's coral reefs will be gone
in the next 25 to 40 years. In the era the Mesozoic, some 225
million years ago, these reefs started to grow. The fear is that the
destruction will take place in less than 100 years |
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Coral
Reefs and Mangrove in the Philippines
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The
role of the Philippine government
The Philippine government made and introduced many laws in an
attempt to protect the natural environment on the islands and in the
national territorial waters.
Gathering
coral reefs is prohibited under Philippine laws. But for the moment government
authorities are unable to curb all smuggling and all
illegal trading of coral reefs for aquariums.
Source:
free after map of the WCMC © 1997 |
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Coral
reef |
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0 -
200 m. deep |
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Mangrove |
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200 - 2000 m. deep |
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