Coral reefs endangered

Coral reefs endangered

UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: A recent survey has found that
33 coral reefs in Indonesian waters have sustained massive
damage.

Oceanologist Anugrah Nontji of the Indonesian Institute of
Sciences said here yesterday that only 6.5 percent of the
country's coral reefs are still in "very good condition." Only
22.5 percent of Indonesia's reefs are classified as being in
"good condition", while 43 percent are already damaged.

"This is a warning how endangered our coral reefs are," said,
as quoted by Antara. "We are racing against time to save them,
and we need cooperation from other parties to do so."

"Research institutes cannot deal with the problem alone. The
government, non-governmental organizations and the public should
all pitch in," Nontji added. (swe)