China’s island-building activities for military outposts in the South China Sea (SCS) have been responsible for the destruction of around 19 square kilometers of coral reefs, according to a recent study. Chinese fishermen, meanwhile, have damaged an additional 67 sq km, mainly in their search for giant clams, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (Amti) said in a report. “In recent decades, increased fishing, dredging and landfill, along with giant clam harvesting, have taken a devastating toll on thousands of species found nowhere else on earth,” Amti said in a study titled “Deep Blue Scars: Environmental Threats to the South China Sea.”

Lazaro, J. (2024, January 20). China island-building, fishing caused most reef damage in SCS, says study. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A3.