OBSERVATIONS ON CORAL-REEFS OF HAINAN-ISLAND, SOUTH CHINA SEA

Two recent expeditions to Hainan Island provided the opportunity to su rvey coral reefs at various locations, including some which had been s tudied during earlier investigations. Since 1987 the reefs have appare ntly recently suffered from additional human impact. Dynamite fishing poses the major threat and large sections of the reefs are severely da maged. Increasing tourism with hotels built directly on the beach is a lso putting the coastal marine fauna at risk. Conservation measures an d especially the enforcement of existing laws are urgently required.