THE EAST ASIAN SEAS STATE OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2009 L.M. Chou Department of Biological Sciences National University of Singapore

BACKGROUND East Asian Seas Action Plan – recognises value of ‘information management’ and ‘state of marine environment reporting’ 18 th Meeting of COBSEA (Sanya, Jan 2006) - need for improved information management on coastal and marine data and activities re-emphasised. Late 2007, preparation started for development of State of Marine Environment Report. 19 th Meeting of COBSEA (Siem Reap, Jan 2008) - outline of contents approved. Jun 09 – first draft sent to external reviewers Aug 09 – second draft sent to NFPs, partner agencies, contributors Oct 09 – third draft finalised 20 th Meeting of COBSEA (Halong Bay, Nov 2009) – report adopted.

Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. Socio-economic development Chapter 3. State and trend of the coastal and marine environment A. Natural environment B. Water quality C. Coastal ecosystems D. Fisheries resources E. Vulnerability to natural disasters Chapter 4. Economic valuation of the coastal and marine environment Chapter 5. Outlook Chapter 6. Options for action

EAS-SOMER presents the current status and projected trends for the coastal and marine environment. - analyses ongoing management initiatives at national and regional levels. - identifies emerging coastal and marine environmental issues. - analyses case studies (e.g. economic valuation), best practices, and effective management measures to address current and emerging coastal and marine environmental concerns. Trends based on information over a 25-year period between 1981 and 2006 with new information up to 2009 included as far as is possible.

CONTRIBUTORS Institutions Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) – fisheries. Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP) - geophysical environment and natural disasters. Coordinating Unit of the UNEP-GEF “South China Sea” project - economic valuation. Regional consultants Dr. Gullaya Wattayakorn (Chulalongkorn University) - water quality. Karenne Tun (National University of Singapore) - coastal habitats. Dr. Wong Poh Poh (National University of Singapore) - climate change. REVIEW PROCESS First draft sent to four independent reviewers. Revised draft sent to all National Focal Points, partner agencies and contributors for further review.

Report covers the coastal and marine areas of COBSEA member countries: Australia Cambodia People’s Republic of China Indonesia Republic of Korea Malaysia Philippines Singapore Thailand Vietnam

Combined sea area = 30% of the world’s ocean surface under national jurisdiction. Large influence and major role in maintaining the health of earth’s marine environment. Coastal/marine ecosystems among richest and most productive in the world and of vast social and economic importance. Almost 75% of the region’s human population of 2 billion live in the coastal area (100km). Rapid coastal development.

Coastal habitat loss Coral reefs – 40% Mangroves – 50% Fisheries production - 40% of world’s total. Aquaculture production – >87% of world’s total. (SE Asia - 3mil ha mangrove lost to aquaculture)

Climate-related hazards impose substantial socio-economic burden. Cost of direct damage by tropical cyclones and flood- related damages increased sharply in recent decades. Steady decline in quality of region’s marine and coastal waters (from oil spills and contaminants from shipping, sewage, other domestic wastes, industrial effluents, and urban and agricultural runoff). Most serious is rising levels of nutrients from land-based sources leading to increased risk of harmful algal blooms (HABs). Suspended solids in Asia’s rivers quadrupled since late 1970s Two-thirds of the world’s total sediment transport to oceans occur in Southeast Asia.

Exposure to unsustainable resource exploitation and environmental degradation intensified by threats from climate change and natural hazards. There is: growing awareness to manage marine environment/resources and adoption of various strategies growing political will to commit resources to address current problems and at least mitigate impacts of future problems.

OUTLOOK Capacity to deal with issues differs widely across region because of varying socio-economic situations. Capacity building urgent for countries facing enormous pressures. State of the marine environment differs among countries because of varying pressures. Capacity development and transfer needed to strengthen region’s capability to address common goal of improved sustainability of coastal and marine environment.