Most area in Southeast Asia is covered by the ocean, with the total area estimated at approximately 5 million square kilometers. This area includes nine significant seas such as the Sulu Sea, Andaman Sea, Sulawesi Sea, Banda Sea, Arafura Sea, Maluku Sea, Timor Sea, South China Sea, and Natuna Sea. Its ecosystems not only play a major role in fisheries, maritime transportation, and environmental sustainability but are also home to critical zones for global marine biodiversity.
One out of the nine oceans is located in an area enveloped by three nations, which are Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. This area, spanning 900,000 square kilometers, is known as part of the Coral Triangle, located in the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape. If the land has the Amazon rainforest for its richness in biodiversity, then the ocean has the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape for the same reason.
Where you can find 76% (605) of the world’s coral species are located in the Coral Triangle, the highest coral diversity in the world. It is also the habitat of 3,000 species of reef fish (40 percent of the world’s coral reef species), and 235 species of coral reef fishes in the region are endemic or locally restricted species; 6 of the world’s 7 marine turtle species; and three-quarters of known mollusks.
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The richness of the Coral Triangle plays a significant role, particularly for coastal communities, where it supports livelihoods and provides income and food security. WWF mentioned that marine resources could possibly support the growth of the nature-based tourism industry, which is worth more than US$12 billion annually.
However, preserving the area is a big responsibility for these three nations. Let alone now, the Coral Triangle is threatened by climate change, overfishing, and destructive fishing methods. These changes can cause ecosystem imbalances in both marine life and human life.
Therefore, the nations have collaborated by creating the restoration sites, which are The Tun Mustapha Park in Malaysia, Derawan Marine Protected Area in Indonesia, and Balabac Island in the Philippines. Each nation actively maintains the pivotal nursery habitats with local heroes such as coral reefs, mangroves, salt marshes, or seagrass meadows; planting mangrove trees or seagrass, including the creation of artificial habitats (e.g., artificial reefs).
Read also: Localizing SDGs: Collaborative Pathways for Indonesia’s Sustainable Future
Collaboration between these three nations is an effort to meet SDG, especially regarding "Life Below Water." Specifically, the restoration efforts contribute to several SDG 14 targets, including sustainably managing and protecting marine and coastal ecosystems, conserving at least 10% of coastal and marine areas, increasing economic benefits to support local livelihoods, and increasing scientific knowledge and research.
