Abstract Summary
Sarawak is one of the biggest state in Malaysia, located between the latitude 0º 50'and 5’N and longitude 109º 36' and 115 º 40'E. Sarawak has the second longest coastline 1051km in Malaysia, thus the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Sarawak occupies the southern part of the South China Sea with an area of 160,000 km² (area 124,449.5 sq km). The coral reef biodiversity study was carried out from year 2004 to 2008. The aim was to collect baseline data on the corals and coral associated living resources. Study area were divided into four areas, Kuching, Bintulu to Miri, Luconia and Lawas. A total of 203 species, 66 genera and 13 families of stony coral (198 species and 62 genera of zooxanthellae Scleractinia) was founded in the Sarawak waters, with the species belonging to Acroporidae being dominant. Most of the coral reefs in Sarawak are found offshore, with the depth more than 18m and geographically patchy. With this study, the state authority will come out with a management plan and gazette this area as a marine parks area or multiple use marine parks area. All depends on the dialogue or forum between the management authority and local communities. Beside that, coral restoration should be conducted around Sarawak Waters including awareness.
