KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Rising sea temperatures of up to 35 degrees Celsius have caused increased coral deaths and bleaching at six popular island destinations in Malaysia, a Malaysian official said on Tuesday.
Monitoring by the Fisheries Department at 32 islands in Malaysia's marine parks found serious environmental pressure and worsening reef health at six islands, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu told parliament.
"Monitoring found a drop in live coral cover and a higher rate of coral deaths after bleaching, caused by sea-surface temperatures reaching between 32 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees Celsius," he said.
Mohamad said coral reefs are important marine habitats, providing shelter and breeding grounds for sea life, while supporting the country's fisheries resources.
He said the ministry is carrying out a climate action plan for the fisheries sector for 2024 to 2030, which includes efforts to reduce the effects of climate change on coral reefs, adding that 4 million ringgit (980,000 U.S. dollars) has been allocated toward rehabilitation programs.
The government is also strengthening enforcement under the Fisheries Act 1985 against activities that damage coral reefs.
These include taking corals, dumping pollutants, destroying marine habitats and anchoring vessels in prohibited ways within marine parks and marine reserves without written permission. ■