The Philippines is Home to Beautiful Coral Reefs and a Biodiverse Underwater World

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The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed reports of severe damage of the coral reefs in the West Philippine Sea. Here's what that means in terms of our marine ecosystem and food supply.

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00:00 The Philippines is home to beautiful coral reefs and a biodiverse underwater world.

00:03 This is why we're the world's leading dive destination for four years in a row, and also

00:08 highly dependent on fishing as a livelihood.

00:10 On September 18, the Philippine Coast Guard confirmed reports of severe damage in the

00:14 seabed of Rosel Reef and Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

00:18 Around 33 Chinese maritime militia vessels were seen in the area days prior.

00:22 Here's their footage of the lifeless and crushed corals and visible discoloration of the seabed,

00:27 indicating deliberate activities to disturb the underwater terrain.

00:30 Several studies by marine scientists say the West Philippine Sea is an important habitat

00:33 for newly hatched fish both within the area and nearby regions.

00:37 Fisherfolk in the coastal communities of Ilocos, Zimbales, Pangasinan, and Palawan catch fish

00:41 that are born in these coral reefs.

00:43 So you can just imagine the socioeconomic effect when coral reefs where fish live and

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