Sino ship’s coral damage greater than US vessel’s

MANILA, Philippines - The Chinese fishing vessel that crashed into Tubbataha Reef last April 8 damaged almost 4,000 square meters of coral.

Some 3,902 square meters of corals were destroyed after the boat ran aground in the UNESCO World Heritage listed marine sanctuary.

Angelique Songco of the Tubbataha Management Office described the damage to the corals as “heart-breaking” after experts assessed the area.

“Some of the corals destroyed were 500 years old. The damage was greater than what was destroyed by the USS Guardian last January,” Songco said.

A team led by marine biologists and environmental groups conducted assessment of the affected area.

Marine park rangers and members of the Coast Guard later discovered hundreds of dead pangolins or anteaters on board the vessel.

Pangolins, said to have medicinal qualities and considered a delicacy in China, are being illegally traded.

Authorities have charged the 12 Chinese fishermen with poaching and violation of the Wildlife Resources Protection and Conservation Act.

Tubbataha marine park information officer Glenda Simon said the Chinese would likely be fined P95 million ($2.32 million) for trespassing into the marine park and destroying the coral.