Scientists warn of coral reef bleaching in Palawan

MANILA, Philippines – Government scientists have raised the alarm over the massive bleaching of coral reefs off northern Palawan and in some waters off Batangas and Quezon provinces.

Milede Christine Quibilan, University of the Philippines-Marine Sciences Institute (UP-MSI) professor, said coral bleaching is “extensive” in the entire northern part of Palawan and scientists blamed this on high ocean temperatures.

“We’re seeing a lot of bleaching in areas where there are still a lot of corals, specifically in Northern Palawan,” Quibilan said in a media briefing at the Richmonde Hotel in Pasig City over the weekend.

“It’s pretty extensive in the eastern side of El Nido which extends to Taytay and the entire northern part of Palawan.”

Quibilan said bleaching was also reported in the towns of Lian, Mabini, Nasugbu, and Calatagan, all in Batangas, and Pagbilao, Quezon.

The Global Coral Reef Alliance (GCRA) had earlier predicted that 2010 would be one of the worst coral bleaching years ever.

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