Latest news with #CoralTriangle
GMA Network
08-08-2025
- Science
- GMA Network
PH to establish first coral larvae cryobank facility
The UP Marine Science Institute (MSI) on Thursday said it is establishing a coral larvae cryobank facility, a first in the Philippines, to boost restoration efforts amid increasing threats from climate change and human activity. It is expected to be installed at the UP MSI Bolinao Marine Laboratory in Pangasinan. 'This is part of a groundbreaking regional effort to conserve coral reef biodiversity through cryopreservation. The project, entitled 'Coral Conservation Capacity Development in the Coral Triangle: A Cryorepository Network for Coral Larvae,' involves research institutions from the Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand to establish the first regional network of coral larval cryobanks in the Coral Triangle,' the UP MSI said. According to Dr. Maria Vanessa Baria-Rodriguez, lead of the Philippine research team, the project is not just about preserving corals but also about 'building a foundation for future research and reef restoration that can benefit generations to come.' The project is spearheaded by Dr. Chiahsin Lin of National Dong Hwa University and the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium (NMMBA) in Taiwan and is supported by the Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform (CORDAP) through the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation, Inc. (MERF). The UP MSI said the project is currently focused on pocilloporid corals with a brooding reproductive strategy. Their larvae are gathered from hatchery-monitored colonies and preserved in liquid nitrogen for long-term storage and future use in coral restoration. Considered weedy species, pocilloporid corals are among the first to colonize disturbed reefs due to their rapid growth and fast reproductive cycles and are thus valuable for accelerating reef recovery. However, they are sensitive to climate stress, especially coral bleaching, which brings a significant challenge to their long-term survival. Lin and his students led a capacity-building training on cryopreservation at the UP MSI Bolinao Marine Laboratory last December 1 to 4, 2024. The training provided research assistants of the Interactions of Marine Bionts and Benthic Ecosystems Laboratory (IMBiBE) with essential knowledge and hands-on experience in cryopreservation techniques like vitrification and cryobanking. A follow-up training was held in February 2025 at the NMMBA. The project also seeks to adapt cryopreservation protocols for other coral species and further develop tools, including a fourth-generation laser-assisted warming device and cryojig system. Ryan Carl De Juan, one of the research assistants at the IMBIBE laboratory, has begun collecting and monitoring brooding pocilloporid colonies, where initial trials in vitrification and banking resulted in the successful cryopreservation of early-stage coral larvae. The team continues its monthly efforts to increase the number of cryopreserved larvae across various target coral species. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
CNA
10-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
Indonesia revokes most mining permits in dive hotspot Raja Ampat after outcry
JAKARTA: Indonesia revoked permits on Tuesday (Jun 10) for four of the five mining companies operating in the eastern archipelago of Raja Ampat after activists shared videos of islands damaged by nickel extraction. The cluster of islands and shoals in Southwest Papua Province sits in the Coral Triangle and is thought to be one of the world's most pristine reefs, with its clear blue waters making it a popular diving spot. Last week, Greenpeace Indonesia published videos highlighting nickel mining projects on three islands, including one which racked up more than 15 million Instagram views. President Prabowo Subianto "decided that the government will revoke the mining business license of four companies in Raja Ampat", state secretariat minister Prasetyo Hadi told reporters. Energy and mineral resources minister Bahlil Lahadalia said "they have violated" regulations. "We believe this region must be protected," he said. Greenpeace said nickel exploitation on the islands of Gag, Kawe and Manuran had led to the destruction of more than 500 hectares of forest and vegetation. It led to growing calls for the licences to be withdrawn from politicians and celebrities. The four companies impacted by the immediate ban are PT Anugerah Surya Pratama, PT Nurham, PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining and PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa. PT Nurham received its mining permits this year and has not started production but the other three have had them since 2013, according to the energy ministry. One more company - PT Gag Nikel - will continue to operate on Raja Ampat's Gag island but be closely monitored, said Bahlil. It received its operational permit in 2017. Indonesia has the world's largest nickel reserves and is the biggest producer of the metal, which is used in electric vehicle batteries and stainless steel. Greenpeace Indonesia said the decision was a good start but the government needed to take further action. "We appreciate this decision but we need to make sure the decision will be implemented. We need to make sure they stop," forest campaign team leader Arie Rompas said.
