Coral reefs threatened<\/p>\n
AMBON, Maluku: Experts have called for action to protect coral
\nreefs in Ambon Bay, a popular tourist destination, currently
\nunder threat from the increasing industrial waste.<\/p>\n
"The immediate threat comes from the presence of a dockyard
\nbuilt along the coast of Silale village in the Nusaniwe
\nsubdistrict," said Heryanto, a mangrove forest and mollusk
\nresearcher at the Ambon-based Center for Oceanic Research and
\nDevelopment.<\/p>\n
He told Antara Friday the waters in Ambon Bay have been used
\nby the local people as a major waterway as well as a source of
\nfood. Industrial and household wastes are dumped in the bay,
\nbadly affecting the various marine biota found in the area and
\ndestroying the coral reefs, fish and plankton.<\/p>\n
The situation has been worsened by industrial developers' land
\nclearing activities, according to Fredy Leatemia, another
\nresearcher at the center.<\/p>\n
"We are concerned about the condition of the bay as peoples'
\nindustrial activities destroy the life and beauty of the coral
\nreefs in Ambon Bay," he said. "The local administration should
\nsoon take action." (swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/coral-reefs-threatened-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}