Philippines opens the first Coral larvae cryobank in Southeast Asia

1. Initiative Overview

• Philippines has recently opened the first Coral Larvae Cryobank in southeast Asia.
• It is a multinational joint venture between the Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
• Primary Goal: To freeze and store coral larvae using advanced cryopreservation techniques creating a genetic bank to be used as a future restoration and conservation of the reefs.

2. The Cryopreservation Process.

• The method includes the preservation of coral larvae in ultra-low temperatures of -196C in liquid nitrogen.
• It uses special chemicals known as cryoprotectants (e.g. glycerol, DMSO).
• It involves vitrifying the biological material to create a glass-like structure devoid of ice crystals which cause harm.

3. Context: The Coral Triangle

• The project is centered on the Coral Triangle which is also referred to as the Amazon of the seas.
• It covers 6 million square kilometers and comprises of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste.
• It is the world hotspot of marine life having:
• More than 75 percent of known coral species in the world.
• A quarter of all the reef fishes in the world.
• The seven marine turtle species in the world.

4.Coral Reefs danger and importance.

• Climate change (bleaching, increasing sea temperatures), pollution, and aggressive human actions are all grave threats to the coral reefs.
• In a 2020 report on the world, 14 per cent of global corals had been lost in a decade (2009-2018).
• Coral reefs are very important eco systems in that they sustain 25% of all marine animals as they provide breeding zones, shelter and food.

About the Philippines

• President: Bongbong Marcos
• Capital: Manila
• Currency: Philippine Peso