One in every four known marine species call coral reefs home. Endlessly seeding the vast oceans with fish and invertebrate spawn, these sunken oases provide food and livelihoods for a billion people in Asia alone. forty years of unchecked fishing, pollution and development have left few reefs without the scars of human incursion. A 2004 study by the University of the Philippine Marine Science Institute (UP MSI) found that only 1 percent of the country's coral reefs were in excellent condition.

Tubbataha divers prepare to assess grounding damage. (2013, March 22). Malaya Business Insight, p. A11.