Petition: help save vital seahorse habitat in Malaysia

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http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/help-save-the-seahorse

 

Issue: Proposed development will destroy extensive mangroves, seagrass habitats and will affect seahorse and dugong populations. Location: Pulai River Estuary, Johor, Malaysia (very near Singapore). Development is ONLY 500 m from the Ramsar Site !!!Site Conservation Value:i) Harbour one of the oldest virgin mangrove forest in the worldii) A Ramsar Site - Wetlands of International Importance declared in 2003iii) Harbour the most extensive seagrass bed in Malaysia iv) The last stronghold habitat for the Spotted Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda) population in Malaysiav) Evidence of dugong populationvi) Rich in fisheries, coral reef and other marine biodiversityvii) Provide for the livelihood of traditional fishermen and indigenous SeletarSummary:A recent EIA has been put up to clear 2,255 acres of mangroves at Sungai Pulai for Petrochemical and Maritime Industries. The types of heavy industries proposed is a catastrophy to the ecosystems. They include industrial gases, paints, varnishes, chemical products, petroleum refinery, shipbuilding and repair, fertilizers and pesticides, rubber remilling etc. Apart from clearing 2,255 acres of pristine mangrove forest, the subsequent stages of this development will cause: i) direct demolition to the seagrass beds due to dredging work on the riverbankii) run-off, sedimentation and siltation - smother the seagrass habitatiii) Discharge very toxic effluents (heavy metals, PCBs etc) into the watersiv) Increased shipping and land-based activitiesThe fate of the seahorse, dugongs and other biological communities, and the people who rely on these resources, is in your hands. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/help-save-the-seahorsePETITION NOW - WE WANT THE SEAHORSE AND THE PULAI RIVER ESTUARY TO BE CONSERVED