印尼沿海珊瑚礁發現52種新海洋物種 | 環境資訊中心
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印尼沿海珊瑚礁發現52種新海洋物種

2006年09月21日
ENS美國,華盛頓特區報導;林盈秀、蘇家億編譯;蔡麗伶、陳瑞賓審校

印尼珊瑚礁發現新物種(圖片來源:Conservation International)科學家探查了印尼巴布亞省外海後發現,有數十種新品種的魚類及珊瑚生存其中。國際保育組織(Conservation International)研究員表示,該省鳥首半島(Bird's Head)海岸的珊瑚礁,可視為世上海洋生物多樣性最豐富之處,且應是地球上急需受到優先保育的海洋區域。

根據最近兩次鳥首海景區的研究,國際保育組織研究員共發現了20種新珊瑚、24種新魚類,及8種蝦蛄的新品種。新品種包括一種用鰭在海底漫遊的夜行鯊,及一種咖啡色的隆頭科魚類,這種魚藉由發出五彩斑斕的閃光來吸引雌魚。

科學家表示即使此地已經因為豐富的生物多樣性聞名,發現新品種仍舊是卓越的進展。這個由太平洋珊瑚礁三角帶(Coral Triangle)所構成的海景區,擁有超過1,200種魚類及600種造礁珊瑚,數量達全世界已知種類的75%。

事實上在珊瑚礁三角帶發現的所有種類,都是在鳥首海景區,而6個監測點是紀錄上造礁珊瑚多樣性最豐富的,此地也以擁有全世界最大的太平洋稜皮龜,還有大規模抹香鯨、布氏鯨、逆戟鯨及數種海豚遷移為榮。

領導國際保育組織印尼海洋計畫的顧問馬克.厄德曼(Mark Erdmann)表示:「巴布亞珊瑚礁簡直是『物種的製造場』,所以更需要特別的保護,來防止非永續漁業和其他所有威脅,使當地居民及全球大眾能持續受利。」

研究員表示應立刻禁止造成沿海水質降低的過度捕撈、砍伐森林及採礦作業。他們也揭發附近地區的漁民會使用氰化物及炸藥來捕魚。

雖然鳥首半島的人口稀少,但沿海的居民極度仰賴海洋為生。由於巴布亞省政府計畫推動商業性漁業,使當地漁民賴以為生的生計,和此區豐富的生物多樣性同時面臨了嚴重的威脅。

52 New Species Found in Indonesian Reefs
WASHINGTON, DC, September 18, 2006 (ENS)

Scientists exploring waters off Indonesia's Papua province have discovered a remarkable array of new fish and coral species. The reefs off the coast of the province's Bird's Head peninsula could comprise the world's most biologically diverse marine area, according to Conservation International researchers, and should be one of the planet's most urgent marine conservation priorities.

During two recent surveys of the Bird's Head Seascape, CI scientists discovered 20 new coral species, 24 new fish species and eight new species of mantis shrimp. The new species include a small nocturnal shark that walks across the sea floor on its fins and a "flasher" wrasse, a brown fish that flashes brilliant colors to attract females.

The scientists described the findings as remarkable even within an area already known for its rich biodiversity.

The seascape lies with the "Coral Triangle" of the Pacific, which includes more than 1,200 species of fish and almost 600 species of reef-building coral or 75 percent of the world's known total.

Virtually all the species found in the Coral Triangle were found in the Bird's Head Seascape and six survey sites had the highest diversity of reef-building coral ever reported. It also boasts the largest Pacific leatherback turtle nesting area in the world as well as migratory populations of sperm and Bryde's whales, orcas and several dolphin species.

"These Papuan reefs are literally 'species factories' that require special attention to protect them from unsustainable fisheries and other threats so they can continue to benefit their local owners and the global community," said Mark Erdmann, senior adviser of CI's Indonesian Marine Program, who led the surveys.

The researchers said that the area needs immediate protection from overfishing as well as from deforestation and mining that degrade coastal waters. They also reported the use of cyanide and dynamite by fishermen in the area.

The Bird's Head peninsula is sparsely populated but the coastal communities are heavily dependent on the sea. Both the livelihoods of the subsistence fishermen and the region's rich biodiversity face an ominous threat from a government plan to boost commercial fishing in the Papua province.

作者

林盈秀

林盈秀,財務金融系畢業,曾任職於綠建築顧問公司。2019年獲得台達電英國環境獎學金後,於英國里茲大學攻讀企業永續碩士。目前研究主題為永續金融與氣候金融。

蔡麗伶(LiLing Barricman)

In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.