Charles Stevens of WWF International demonstrates how to take effective steps to do your part for marine conservation.
Here in Singapore, we're living on the edge of the most important marine region in the world - an area comparable to the Amazon Rainforest or the Congo Basin, in terms of its significance to life on this planet.
The Coral Triangle is 5.7 million square kilometres of ocean covering six countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste. Containing an incredible 75 percent of the world's coral species, it's also home to numerous species of fish, sharks, whales, dolphins and sea turtles. So it's no surprise tourism is a thriving business in this part of the world. Globally, reef-related tourism is one of the fastest growing components of the travel industry. And dive tourism is growing at more than 20 percent every year, as people all over the world become switched on to the excitement of marine adventure.
Those of us based in Singapore are no exception. And due to many of the world's most beautiful underwater worlds being within easy reach, our vacations typically consist of diving, snorkelling and feasting on fresh seafood. Whether it's a trip to Sabah to dive on world-renowned Sipadan Island or to the Philippines to see the World Heritage-listed Tubbataha Reef, there are countless marine adventure options waiting to be explored in our own backyard.
But as more people visit the Coral Triangle area to experience its stunning marine wilderness, the reality of it disappearing altogether becomes ever more real. So it makes perfect sense for those of us living within this marine wonderland to take the lead in protecting this magnificent part of the world. It's important we go out and enjoy the awe-inspiring marine life and seascapes in our region, but just as important is the way we do it. Tread lightly!
The growing demand for seafood and the escalating impacts of climate change and coastal development, are certainly adding to the pressures faced by one of the world's most beautiful coral reef ecosystems. But there are a few simple steps you can take, to ensure this marine wilderness remains intact for future generations to enjoy.
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Dispose of rubbish carefully. Recycle where possible, reusing drink bottles and shopping bags. Never throw shopping bags into the sea. Turtles have been known to mistake a floating plastic bag for a jellyfish - their favourite food - with fatal results.
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Choose environmentally-responsible tour operators. Many diving and resort operators in the Coral Triangle are now helping to dispose of rubbish carefully and assisting with the rehabilitation of local reefs destroyed by blast fishing or cyanide fishing. Make sure you try to choose the tour operators, hotels and resorts that are doing the right thing.
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Don't buy products made from coral or endangered plants and animals. Shark products are best avoided, as are most types of shells. When diving or snorkelling, do not stand on, touch or remove any items from the reef - including coral.
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Offset your flights. For a small fee, you can ensure your air travel is carbon-neutral, but not all offsets are the same. Go for a Gold Standard offsetting service such as Climate Friendly (http://www.climatefriendly.com/).
REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
One of the most beneficial ways of helping to protect the Coral Triangle is to reduce your carbon footprint. As most of us are aware, higher carbon dioxide emissions are causing temperatures around the world to increase, which can have a devastating impact on coral reefs. Many thousands of kilometres of reef in some parts of the world have been bleached white, as a result of rising water temperatures.
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Turn off lights and appliances when not in use and switch your home's light globes to energy efficient bulbs.
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Participate in Earth Hour (www.earthhour.org) on March 28, 2009 at 8:30pm. In 2008, people all over the world turned off their lights for one hour, in support of the fight against Climate Change. Next year Singapore will also take part, so make sure you spread the word to help make the Lion City's movement a success.
CONSCIOUS DINING
The world's growing appetite for seafood is sadly endangering many species of fish in the Coral Triangle, as well as crustaceans such as crabs, shrimps, abalone and sharks. Currently, destructive fishing practices - such as the use of explosives or cyanide to catch fish - are widely used. These methods not only threaten the health of coral reefs, they also have a lasting impact on the long-term future of the live reef fish trade and tourism industry.
Some of the live reef fish seen in tanks in seafood restaurants are those which are fast disappearing from our oceans. While not all fish are under threat, there are some species we should avoid consuming.
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Avoid eating high finned grouper, camouflage grouper and leopard coral grouper. You should also think twice before ordering swordfish and bluefin tuna. While rare in Singapore, the humphead wrasse is an example of a Coral Triangle reef fish still found in seafood restaurants, even though its numbers have declined dramatically.
PULL OUT
The Asia Panda Ball 2008 Nov 21, 7pm Don't miss the Asian debut of this renowned and glamorous gala ball, attended by royalty and socialites in Switzerland and Monaco - now Singapore. This fundraising event is held in support of WWF-Singapore's conservation efforts and aims to increase awareness of the threats faced by the Coral Triangle. John Jacob Ballroom, Level 1, St Regis Hotel. Tickets: from $10,000 per table of 10. www.wwf.sg, 
WWF has an office in Singapore and active conservation programmes in 22 countries throughout Asia Pacific. For more information on WWF's work to protect the Coral Triangle, visit www.panda.org/coraltriangle
Posted Nov 08
