Damaged Sipadan reefs slowly but surely recovering

By TAN CHENG LI

PETALING JAYA: The Sipadan coral reefs which were damaged by a barge carrying construction material in mid-May are slowly but surely recovering.

Marine biologist Dr Nicolas Pilcher said the reefs, where only the coral tips had been scraped off by the vessel, have grown.

The director of Kota Kinabalu-based Marine Research Foundation, which was appointed by Sabah Parks to restore the reef, said the damage was minimal and nowhere near the extent reported in the press.

“There was no one complete destruction zone but several scattered small patches. This is good news for the reef. Chances of recovery are better as the adjacent healthy reef will help replenish the damaged areas,” he said.

Over the month of June, Dr Pilcher and his staff were at Sipadan assessing the reef regeneration and also removing coral and rock rubble that prevented young coral from getting a firm foothold on the substrate.

The next phase of restoration work will see the creation of artificial reefs.

Ceramic structures, made in the United States and designed to resemble the underwater landscape, will be placed in the worst-afflicted sites to promote coral regeneration.

“We envision that the structures will be completely covered with corals within six months to a year. This will help stabilise the reef in the larger damaged areas and fix the reef faster,” he said.

“The potential of recovery is good because Sipadan has one of the best and healthiest reefs in the country.”

Source: The Star