05/12/2025
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Deep underneath our seas lies animals seemingly like aqualifeโs colorful architectures, housing marine biodiversity and adding colorful to the seafloors โ corals.
However, like all things on land, corals experience the effects of the progressively warming temperatures of our planet like coral bleaching. This is why every year, in the month of November, people gather to share awareness on the effects of coral bleaching on our underwater houses.
Coral Bleaching Awareness Month held every November is a global initiative that aims to spread awareness and bring people and organizations together on the rising issue of coral bleaching and their adverse effects to marine life and economy.
Corals, invertebrate animals belonging to the large family of Cnidarians are colorful polyps with a variety of unique shapes and colors but all share the characteristics: a singular stomach with a simple mouth opening surrounded by tentacles.
Generally classified with two types of corals: the โhardโ and โsoftโ coral, there are over 800 known species of hard corals also called โreef building coralsโ which are the primary structures of coral reefs. Additionally, soft corals unlike hard corals do not have rock-like structures; however they are still home to some types of fishes.
The International Coral Reef Initiative says that in the country there is a reported 27,000 square kilometers of surface area of coral reefs which is the second largest in Asia.
Coral bleaching, is a type of stress reaction of corals that occurs when exposed to conditions which may cause them to expel zooxanthellae โ algae living on corals exhibiting a mutually beneficial relationship.
Without these algae on the corals, they tend to lose their color and over time may result in their death.
Stressors which may cause coral bleaching include pollution and increased ocean temperatures.
According to the Marine Conservation Organisation, mining and burning of fossil fuels in the air have also had adverse effects on the temperatures in the sea causing more frequent as well as intense marine heatwaves.
Since 1900 the ocean temperatures have seen to have increased by around 1 degree Celsius. For humans, this change may seem insignificant however corals are sensitive to even the slightest change in temperature which may cause them stress.
Bleached corals are not necessarily dead, however they are left in a vulnerable state. If a coral affected by heat stress is impacted by other factors such as tropical cyclones and poor water quality, they become even more susceptible to mortality.
With the country being the apex of the Coral Triangle โ a 6 million square kilometer area spanning from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands which houses 76% of the worldโs coral species โ the effects of coral bleaching are seen to be a significant challenge.
Lack of proper research, updated information, and status on the spans of coral reefs on the countryโs seas is seen to be a major challenge faced in keeping the countryโs reefs safe.
However, all hope is not yet lost. Various coral reef rehabilitation initiatives by both government and private organizations exert efforts to restore and protect reefs from further damage.
Efforts like this have already seen improvements like how the Virgin Islands in Panglao, Bohol are set to reopen once again to the public after a year long rehabilitation project by the Department of Natural Resources (DENR) and the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB).
Damage to the corals was seen to be primarily brought by boats, pollution, and coral vandalism. Working to further protect the area, the DENR mandated a set of policies and guidelines to regulate the activities on the island in a manner which will bring no harm to the corals in the area.
Additionally, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reports on a successful rehabilitation program on the Kalayaan Island Groups (KIG) conducted by its Marine Science Group (PCG MSG).
Methods used on the program include the selection of coral fragments, handling and replanting procedures, as well as assisting in underwater surveys and biodiversity assessments in the area.
Efforts and awareness on the issue of coral bleaching must not just last for a month, it must be a year long action and acknowledging the causes is the first step in addressing the issue. These coral reefs may not be manโs home but their significance to life both on land and water prove that they must be protected and not stripped of their color.
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