Let’s protect our coral reefs

A sea turtle appears to have died due to an oil spill in Pulau Tioman in August. Lumps of tar were left on the beach to be cleaned by volunteers. - Reef Check Malaysia

The recent announcement by Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, of a new conservation law to protect coral reefs and marine life is to be strongly supported, according to marine conservation NGO Reef Check Malaysia.

This call is timely as Malaysia is facing increasing threats to its marine ecosystems. It is estimated that this country has some 4,000km2 of coral reef.