China destroyed at least 21,000 acres of coral reefs: CSIS report | ABS-CBN
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China destroyed at least 21,000 acres of coral reefs: CSIS report
China destroyed at least 21,000 acres of coral reefs: CSIS report
Through the use of commercial satellite imagery and reconstructed statistics on fishing activities, a new report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ (CSIS) showed that China’s activities have caused massive damage to the marine environment in the South China Sea.
According to the report “Deep Blue Scars: Environmental Threats to the South China Sea” by Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) researchers Monica Sato, Harrison Prétat, Tabitha Mallory, Hao Chen and Gregory Poling, Chinese activities have damaged at least 21,000 acres of coral reefs.
Through the use of commercial satellite imagery and reconstructed statistics on fishing activities, a new report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ (CSIS) showed that China’s activities have caused massive damage to the marine environment in the South China Sea.
According to the report “Deep Blue Scars: Environmental Threats to the South China Sea” by Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) researchers Monica Sato, Harrison Prétat, Tabitha Mallory, Hao Chen and Gregory Poling, Chinese activities have damaged at least 21,000 acres of coral reefs.
This is mainly due to activities such as dredging and landfills to build artificial islands, as well as clam harvesting.
Island building efforts alone have destroyed 6,200 acres of coral reefs, with 75% or 4,500 acres of the damage done by China. Meanwhile, dredging activities by Vietnam damaged 1,500 acres of coral reef, while Malaysia, Philippines and Taiwan contributed to about 100 acres of damage.
This is mainly due to activities such as dredging and landfills to build artificial islands, as well as clam harvesting.
Island building efforts alone have destroyed 6,200 acres of coral reefs, with 75% or 4,500 acres of the damage done by China. Meanwhile, dredging activities by Vietnam damaged 1,500 acres of coral reef, while Malaysia, Philippines and Taiwan contributed to about 100 acres of damage.
Giant clam harvesting by Chinese fishermen has also damaged an additional 16,353 acres of coral reefs.
Giant clam harvesting by Chinese fishermen has also damaged an additional 16,353 acres of coral reefs.
The estimate is based on AMTI’s analysis of commercial satellite imagery on a total of 181 occupied and unoccupied features of the South China Sea, which showed arc-shaped scars, created by dragging brass propellers to harvest clams attached on reefs.
The estimate is based on AMTI’s analysis of commercial satellite imagery on a total of 181 occupied and unoccupied features of the South China Sea, which showed arc-shaped scars, created by dragging brass propellers to harvest clams attached on reefs.
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The study also showed a 2019 ABS-CBN News footage near Scarborough Shoal, of another method by Chinese fishermen, who used high-pressure water pump to suck sediment from the seabed and extracts giant clams.
It also mentioned the damage documented by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command in September 2023, that showed crushed corals on the seabed of Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal.
The study also showed a 2019 ABS-CBN News footage near Scarborough Shoal, of another method by Chinese fishermen, who used high-pressure water pump to suck sediment from the seabed and extracts giant clams.
It also mentioned the damage documented by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command in September 2023, that showed crushed corals on the seabed of Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal.
Since satellite imagery did not show scarring on the reef surfaces of these features, the researchers deduced that the damage documented by the AFP occurred in deeper lagoons.
Since satellite imagery did not show scarring on the reef surfaces of these features, the researchers deduced that the damage documented by the AFP occurred in deeper lagoons.
The lagoons at Sabina Shoal, Iroquois Reef, and Scarborough Shoal account for about 41,354 acres of reef. The full extent of damage in these lagoons remains to be assessed by marine experts.
The lagoons at Sabina Shoal, Iroquois Reef, and Scarborough Shoal account for about 41,354 acres of reef. The full extent of damage in these lagoons remains to be assessed by marine experts.
But if the damage is found to be extensive, it could bring the total reef area damaged by Chinese giant clam harvesting to 57,889 acres, or over 90 square miles.
“We know that this is an undercount on the part of China. We know it’s an undercount of China’s damage because it only captures the scarring on the shallowest parts of the reef, the reef crest around the edges, so shallow that you can see the bottom,” said Gregory Poling.
The report also discussed overfishing due entirely to a fishing method called bottom trawling, where weighted nets are dragged along the seabed, catching everything in its path and ripping corals.
But if the damage is found to be extensive, it could bring the total reef area damaged by Chinese giant clam harvesting to 57,889 acres, or over 90 square miles.
“We know that this is an undercount on the part of China. We know it’s an undercount of China’s damage because it only captures the scarring on the shallowest parts of the reef, the reef crest around the edges, so shallow that you can see the bottom,” said Gregory Poling.
The report also discussed overfishing due entirely to a fishing method called bottom trawling, where weighted nets are dragged along the seabed, catching everything in its path and ripping corals.
China and Vietnam account for the largest share of overall fish catch, by way of trawling in the South China Sea.
“Keep in mind one, this is the only offshore fishing ground for Vietnam. China has the largest distant water fleet on earth. Most of China’s fish are caught in the Pacific Islands, or off the coast of Latin America, or off the coast of Africa, China doesn’t need to fish in the South China Sea. China chooses to fish in the South China Sea. Vietnamese fishers have to fish in the South China Sea or find some other line of work,” Poling added.
China and Vietnam account for the largest share of overall fish catch, by way of trawling in the South China Sea.
“Keep in mind one, this is the only offshore fishing ground for Vietnam. China has the largest distant water fleet on earth. Most of China’s fish are caught in the Pacific Islands, or off the coast of Latin America, or off the coast of Africa, China doesn’t need to fish in the South China Sea. China chooses to fish in the South China Sea. Vietnamese fishers have to fish in the South China Sea or find some other line of work,” Poling added.
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China has constantly denied allegations of polluting and damaging the marine environment and even accused the Philippines of causing damage by not removing the BRP Sierra Madre that serves as the country’s outpost in Ayungin Shoal.
“We’ve done no study of what miniscule damage runover rust from the Sierra Madre might do to the sea but after you dig up 4,500 acres of reefs to make new islands and another 21,000 acres to get rich on jewelry, you don’t get to complain about the Philippines bringing in some concrete 4x4s,” Poling said.
He added that it is important for a consolidated action between nations in the region.
China has constantly denied allegations of polluting and damaging the marine environment and even accused the Philippines of causing damage by not removing the BRP Sierra Madre that serves as the country’s outpost in Ayungin Shoal.
“We’ve done no study of what miniscule damage runover rust from the Sierra Madre might do to the sea but after you dig up 4,500 acres of reefs to make new islands and another 21,000 acres to get rich on jewelry, you don’t get to complain about the Philippines bringing in some concrete 4x4s,” Poling said.
He added that it is important for a consolidated action between nations in the region.
“We need to see an international coalition starting in Southeast Asia, led by the claimants to better survey the damage, account for it, hopefully negotiate some joint marine scientific research and fisheries management among the Southeast Asian claimants, invite China to join, China will probably say no,” Poling said.
This study was made possible in part by a grant from the US Department of State and does not necessarily represent the views of the US government.
FULL REPORT HERE:
“We need to see an international coalition starting in Southeast Asia, led by the claimants to better survey the damage, account for it, hopefully negotiate some joint marine scientific research and fisheries management among the Southeast Asian claimants, invite China to join, China will probably say no,” Poling said.
This study was made possible in part by a grant from the US Department of State and does not necessarily represent the views of the US government.
FULL REPORT HERE:
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