The United Nations (UN) urged East Asian countries, including the Philippines, to enhance the protection of its marine environment following a report that East Asian economies are under threat if seas are not protected.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in its East Asian Seas State of the Marine Environment Report, said that East Asian economies may likely suffer if ecosystems and coastal habitats are unprotected, particularly against pollution and other factors which could have a significant impact in increasing poverty level, especially in coastal areas.

Chou Loke Ming, author of the report, said that East Asian Seas account for 30 percent of the world’s seas under national jurisdiction. He called on the governments in the region, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, to have a major role in maintaining effective stewardship of the marine environment.

“These ocean ecosystems are a critical lifeline for the region’s economies and people. You can say that the health of these oceans and their ecosystems is very much tied to the economic health of these countries and well-being of their citizens,” Ming said.

Based on the report, economically important coastal habitats and ecosystems are under pressure as 40 percent of the coral reefs and half of all mangroves have already been lost. Coral reefs generate an estimated $112.5 billion and mangroves at $5.1 billion annually.

Mangroves are known to protect coastal areas from erosion, storm surges during typhoons, and tsunamis. Mangroves are also used as fish sanctuaries.

East Asian Seas likewise include the region between China, South Korea and Australia, which account for 50 percent of global fisheries production and 80 percent of global aquaculture production.

The report recommended a more systematic and integrated approach to managing coastal and oceanic issues, including improved data collection and management, and economic incentives to encourage private sector involvement in environmental protection efforts.

“Such actions can support better decision-making, national assessments of coastal and ocean resources and conditions, [and] enhanced public private partnerships,” the report stated.

Philippine seas are among the most vulnerable as it is considered a “climate hot spot” because of its high susceptibility to the negative effects of climate change, manifested by the frequency of typhoons every year, increase in temperature, sea level rise and coral bleaching that has been affecting the country’s marine resources.