The difficulty of conducting research in and around offshore coral reefs in the disputed West Philippine Sea has hidden the fact that many of these resources have been seriously degraded over the last few years, marine biologist professor John McManus said.
Using satellite image analysis, ground truth investigation and information from many sources, it was found that at least 161 square kilometers of unusually species-rich coral reef ecosystems have been severely damaged, McManus said.
About 14 square kilometers are now buried under tons of sand and gravel. The overall damage is expected to exacerbate a severe sea-wide overfishing problem.
But, barring further disturbance, he added, it is estimated that most of this area will recover within two decades.
McManus will give a lecture on coral reef damage, overfishing and Peace Park Options in the disputed sea at the Marine Science Institute of the College of Science at the University of the Philippines in Diliman at 1:30 p.m. today.