Diversity and conservation of coral reef fishes in the Malaysian South China Sea
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Date
2014-09-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries
Abstract
Marine biological diversity in the South
China Sea is immensely rich, with at least 3,365
species of marine fishes, more than one-third of these
are coral reef fish. Understanding the present status of
coral reef fishes in the South China Sea in terms of
their biodiversity and abundance is therefore important
for the sustainable use of coral reef resources in
the future. This paper is an overview of the diversity,
species composition and species richness of coral reef
fishes in the Malaysian South China Sea. A number of
coral reef fishes consisting of 35 families and 86
species have been categorised as extinct or threatened.
Natural and anthropogenic factors are affecting coral
reefs and their ecosystems, with overfishing, blast
fishing, poison fishing and trawling considered the
major threats in Malaysia. In the Malaysian South
China Sea, blast fishing is still practiced in Sabah, East
Malaysia (Borneo), and the activity is considered a
serious issue.
Description
Keywords
Coral reef fish, Destructive fishing, Enhancement, Malaysia, Marine biodiversity, Protection