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In Thailand, there is one reported existing coral reef reserve (Salvat, 1982). Efforls
exist to conserve centain areas in the Gulf of Thailand, amonq them reefs around the islands
off Pataya and Rayong, and the Ang Tonq group of islands (Sudara, IgBl). ln addition,
recommendations have been made for the classificalion of areas for preservation, tourism,
and fisheries development, as well as the launching of informal edueation campaigns.
SUMMARY
Efforts to quantiLatively assess the conditions of coral reefs m a relatively Iarge scale
date back only to the last decade on so in most of the ASEAN countries. Tl-rese efforts,
however, have picked up considerably in recent years, especially with the active
inconporation by national governments of resource conservation and management goals in
official policies. A cornprehensive picture of the status of South-East Asian reefs shbuld be
emenging within the foreseeable fulure with the inception of the coral project of the EasL
Asian Seas Regional Programme of UNEP.
Natunal causes of reef destruction eonLinue to figure significanlly in the reqion. These
include water movement, geological dynarnics and biological interactions. Recent
documentation exists of damage to corals caused by predation by lhe starfish Acanthaster
planci and the gastropod Drupella rugosa. other feports of destruction involvG!6iffi
during low tides' freshwater run-off and burial by river-borne sediments.
As gleaned from the literature, siltation and destructive fishing still constitute the
most important man-caused factors of neef degradation in the East Asian Seas. The more
significant activities bringing about siltation are widespread deforestaLion, bad agricultural
practices and mangrove denudation. Dredging along the coast for various purposeJ including
offshore mining is, however, also assuming greater importance.
Destructive fishing remains associated primarily with the use of various types of
explosives, in spite of their ban in most places. The aquarium fish industry, for the most part
overlooked, is a growing cause for concern, especially when rnismanaged.
The mining of coral reefs for building materials has resulted in severe damage in a
number of localities. Of a lesser rnagnitude but nevertheless deserving of attention is reef
perlurbation brought about by tourism and collection of the biota.
Various forms of pollution are associated with a growing human popu lation and
accelerated industrialization. Although their effects are concentrated at present in a few
ateasr these are bound to spread in the near future. Of particular relevance in the region is
ihe problem of oil pollution, with many living reefs being tapped for oil explora[ion. Stitt
other problems are associated with Lhe inevitable growth of shipping activities.
As a manifestation of lhe growing concern over the increasing extent and severity of
man-caused reef destruction, moves have been made in recent times to establish marine
reserves in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. Though small in rumber et
presentr these reserves will hopefully be incorporated into a larger network within a realistic
scheme ensuring the viability of not mly the reefs but the marine ecosyetem as a whole.
Concerned individuals in each country are currently working toward this end.