Coral reefs in Maluku in danger

AMBON, Maluku: Ecologists have expressed their concern over the rapid devastation of Ambon Bay's coral reefs due to dockyard establishment and industrial waste.

A researcher from the National Institute of Sciences' Oceanology Research and Development Center, Heryanto, said the construction of the dockyard at Silale village beach, was threatening the sustainability of coral reefs which have been a central object of tourism for years.

Another coral reef expert, Fredy Leatemia, said the land clearing for settlements and farming and industrial development also posed a major threat.

The industrial and domestic waste being dumped into the sea is extremely hazardous to various oceanic life which is a source of survival for the coral reefs.

"We are concerned about the situation as it threatens the beautiful scenery of Ambon Bay's underwater life that is admired by tourists," Fredy told Antara yesterday. (09)