Context: A report released at the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) highlighted alarming facts about oil and gas activities in the Coral Triangle.

• Report Title: Coral Triangle at Risk: Fossil Fuel Threats and Impacts by Earth Insight and SkyTruth.

What are Corals?

• Corals are essentially animals, which are sessile, meaning they permanently attach themselves to the ocean floor.

• Corals share a symbiotic relationship with single-celled algae called zooxanthellae.

• The algae provide the coral with food and nutrients, which they make through photosynthesis, using the sun’s light.

• They use their tiny tentacle-like hands to catch food from the water and sweep into their mouth.

• Each individual coral animal is known as a polyp and it lives in groups of hundreds to thousands of genetically identical polyps that form a ‘colony’.

About Coral Triangle

• Located in tropical waters, It is one of the world’s most biodiverse marine regions.

• This unique ecosystem spans six countries in Southeast Asia and Melanesia.

• It includes countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, and the Solomon Islands.

• Note: Singapore is not part of the Coral Triangle, but it is located near it.

• The Coral Triangle, often referred to as the ‘Amazon of the seas’, is a huge marine area spanning over 10 million square kilometres.

Significance of Coral Triangle: 

• It hosts 76% of world’s coral species, over 2,000 coral fish species, and six of seven marine turtle species. 

• It supports 120 million people who rely on it for food, and income, with its habitats critical for marine diversity, earning it nickname "the Amazon of the seas."

Threats being faced by Coral Triangle:

• Oil and Gas Exploration: Over 100 offshore oil and gas blocks are currently operating in Triangle.

• It threatens Triangle’s delicate ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses

• Noise pollution:  From shipping and exploration activities harms marine life. Eg: Man-made noises can alter animal behaviors by damaging hearing or masking animal sounds.

Fossil Fuel Impact on the Coral Triangle:

• Current Activities:

• Over 100 offshore oil and gas blocks are operational, covering 120,000 square kilometers (1% of the Triangle)

• 450+ blocks under exploration, potentially impacting 1.6 million square kilometers (16% of the Triangle)

• Critical Habitats Threatened:

• Coral reefs: 24% affected

• Seagrass areas: 22% affected

• Mangroves: 37% affected

• Oil Pollution:

• 793 oil slicks have been detected since 2020, mostly from bilge dumping by ships, impacting 24,000 square kilometers.

• Notable Spill: The Princess Empress oil spill (2023) affected over 20 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and 21,000 families, with damages estimated at 3.8 billion Philippine pesos (~$68.3 million).

• LNG Infrastructure Expansion:

• $30 billion invested in LNG terminals from 2016 to 2022; 19 LNG terminals are active, with more planned.

Key Environmental Threats from Fossil Fuel Expansion:

• Noise Pollution: Disrupts marine life, especially species like whales and dolphins that depend on sound.

• Habitat Overlaps:

• 16% of MPAs overlap with oil and gas blocks, threatening 80 fully-covered MPAs.

• 15 of the 19 LNG terminals are within 10 kilometers of sensitive habitats.

• Water Pollution: Wastewater from LNG terminals contains chemicals that can trigger toxic algal blooms and degrade water quality.

Impact on Local Communities

• Oil spills and fossil fuel infrastructure disrupt livelihoods, particularly for fisherfolk and coastal residents.

• Health Risks: Residents near spills experience nausea, dizziness; toxic fumes have led to school closures.

• Cultural Threats: In South Bali, LNG projects are seen as a risk to indigenous sites and cultural heritage.

Recommendations by report:

• Enact a moratorium on oil and gas development in Coral Triangle, while phasing out existing fossil fuel operations.

• Experts recommend Coral Triangle be classified as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area to provide it with special protection from harmful maritime activities.

• Sustainable Fishing Practices: Implementing catch limits, banning destructive methods, and creating marine protected areas are essential.

• Climate Change Action: Reducing global carbon emissions is crucial to protect coral reefs from rising temperatures.

• Community Involvement: Empowering local communities to manage their resources sustainably leads to better outcomes.