Photo Credit: Kevin Moses/AP

Scientists are reporting that 70% of the 6,000 hectares of coral reefs off the coast of Bontang are critically damaged. 70% equates to 4,200 hectares of damaged reef. The reports are placing the blame on the growing local industries inland of the reefs, domestic and commercial waste dumping. Those factors coupled with the practice of using explosives by the fisherman and the locals who have been removing chunks of coral reefs to use as construction materials for their homes. Time will tell how this will effect coral exports for the aquarium industry. You may read the full story for more details found on the Jakarta Globe.