41oceanFinancial Sustainability
Obstacles to coral reef restoration
include a paucity of funds, a lack of
expertise, overly complicated policies,
prolonged advocacy, and stakeholders’
misconceptions. Among these, the
most common problem holding back
conservation is financial constraints.
Fortunately, in recent years, more
corporate bodies in the region have
been getting involved in aiding
marine conservation. Corporate social
responsibility has reached new levels,
generating conservation awareness
among local communities. In Malaysia,several banks and finance institutions
are involved in marine conservation.
This can be seen in Ocean Quest’s
reports on their coral propagation
programmes. The banking institution
that has entered into coral and marine
conservation most recently is Yayasan
Bank Rakyat. It is the community arm
of a local bank in Malaysia that has
engaged in coral conservation.
From Malaysia, the regional effort
has expanded into Brunei, where coral
conservation groups are attempting
to restore damaged reefs at Pilongan
Island. This project has seen HSBC
bank supporting coral rehabilitation
over the long term, with active coral
propa-gation taking place throughout- This year, HSBC has already
voiced their commitment to continue
the project.
Diving centres committed to
conservation have also lent a hand
in this regional effort. Sierra Madre
Divers in Bohol, Philippines, for
example, has set a good example by
including coral conservation research
and coral restoration participants
on dives. In return, Ocean Quest is
helping to promote the location to
bring more business to the dive centre.Coral restoration projects need not
entail a severe financial burden if an
effective, well-administered system is
put in place. To achieve this regional
goal, it is crucial that the communities
involved be rewarded, with the
establishment of practical benefits
such as education, tourism income,
corporate contributions, and a new
eco-trade.The Paradox of
Scientific Research
Some coral conservation efforts have
been marred by conflicting interestsabove Anuar Abdullah has
no qualms getting the local
community involved: A
patient and passionate man,
he has been a pivotal force
in coral conservation from
Malaysia to Brunei to the
Philippines
left A porcelain crab
(Porcellanella triloba) on a
soft coral in Raja AmpatPHOTO ANUAR ABDULLAH