Editing Spratly Islands (section)

=== Ecological hazards ===
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Political instability, tourism, and the increasing industrialisation of neighbouring countries has led to serious disruption of native flora and fauna, [[over-exploitation]] of natural resources, and [[environmental pollution]]. Disruption of nesting areas by human activity and/or by introduced animals, such as dogs, has reduced the number of turtles nesting on the islands. Sea turtles are also slaughtered for food on a significant scale. The sea turtle is a symbol of longevity in Chinese culture and at times the military personnel are given orders to protect the turtles.<ref name="ECO" />

Heavy commercial fishing in the region incurs other problems. Although it has been outlawed, fishing methods continue to include the use of [[bottom trawling|bottom trawlers]] fitted with chain rollers. In 1994, a routine patrol by Taiwan's marine navy confiscated more than {{cvt|200|kg|lb|sigfig=1}} of [[potassium cyanide]] solution from fishermen who had been using it for [[cyanide fishing]]. These activities have a devastating impact on local marine organisms and coral reefs.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Cheng|first1=I-Jiunn|title=Sea Turtles at Dungsha Tao, South China Sea|journal=Marine Turtle Newsletter|date=July 1995|volume=70|pages=13–14|url=http://www.seaturtle.org/mtn/archives/mtn70/mtn70p13.shtml|access-date=17 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221015942/http://www.seaturtle.org/mtn/archives/mtn70/mtn70p13.shtml|archive-date=21 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

Some interest has been taken in regard to conservation of these island ecosystems. J.W. McManus, professor of marine biology and ecology at the [[University of Miami]]'s [[Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science School]], has explored the possibilities of designating portions of the Spratly Islands as a [[marine park]]. One region of the Spratly Archipelago, named Truong Sa, was proposed by Vietnam's Ministry of Science, Technology, and the Environment (MOSTE) as a future protected area. The site, with an area of {{convert|160|km2|0|abbr=on}}, is currently managed by the [[Khánh Hòa Province|Khánh Hòa]] Provincial People's Committee of Vietnam.<ref name="ECO" />

Military groups in the Spratly Islands have engaged in environmentally damaging activities such as shooting turtles and seabirds, raiding nests and fishing with explosives. The collection of rare medicinal plants, collecting of wood, and hunting for the wildlife trade are common threats to the biodiversity of the entire region, including these islands. Coral habitats are threatened by pollution, over-exploitation of fish and invertebrates, and the use of explosives and poisons as fishing techniques.<ref name="ECO" />

A 2014 [[United Nations Environment Programme]] (UNEP) report said: "Sand is rarer than one thinks".<ref name="UNEP201403">{{cite web |url=http://www.unep.org/pdf/UNEP_GEAS_March_2014.pdf |title=Sand, rarer than one thinks |page=41 |date=1 March 2014 |access-date=13 May 2016 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20160322024059/http%3A//www.unep.org/pdf/UNEP_GEAS_March_2014.pdf |archive-date=22 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The average price of sand imported by Singapore was [[United States dollar|US$]]3 per [[tonne]] from 1995 to 2001, but the price increased to US$190 per tonne from 2003 to 2005.<ref name="UNEP201403" /> Although the Philippines and China had both ratified the UNCLOS III, in the case of and [[Johnson South Reef]], [[Hughes Reef]], [[Mischief Reef]], the PRC dredged sand for free in the EEZ the Philippines<ref name="philstarDiola2014" /> had claimed from 1978<ref name="PD1599">{{cite web|url=http://www.chanrobles.com/presidentialdecrees/presidentialdecreeno1599.html|title=PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1599 ESTABLISHING AN EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES|date=11 June 1978|publisher=Chan Robles Law Library|access-date=13 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517035648/http://www.chanrobles.com/presidentialdecrees/presidentialdecreeno1599.html|archive-date=17 May 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> arguing this is the "waters of China's Nansha Islands".

Although the consequences of substrate mining are hidden, they are tremendous.<ref name="UNEP201403" /> Aggregate particles that are too fine to be used are rejected by dredging boats, releasing vast dust plumes and changing water turbidity.<ref name="UNEP201403" />

John McManus, a professor of marine biology and ecology at the [[University of Miami]]'s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, said, "The worst thing anyone can do to a coral reef is to bury it under tons of sand and gravel&nbsp;... There are global security concerns associated with the damage. It is likely broad enough to reduce fish stocks in the world's most fish-dependent region." He explained that the reason the world has heard little about the damage inflicted by the People's Republic of China to the reefs is that the experts can't get to them and noted "I have colleagues from the Philippines, Taiwan, PRC, Vietnam and Malaysia who have worked in the Spratly area. Most would not be able to get near the [[artificial island]]s except possibly some from PRC, and those would not be able to release their findings."<ref name="Breakingdefense 2015-11-18">{{Cite web |title='Absolute Nightmare' As Chinese Destroy South China Reefs; Fish Stocks at Risk |url=http://breakingdefense.com/2015/11/absolute-nightmare-as-chinese-destroy-south-china-reefs-asian-fish-stocks-at-risk/ |website=breakingdefense.com |first=Colin |last=Clark |date=18 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515154057/http://breakingdefense.com/2015/11/absolute-nightmare-as-chinese-destroy-south-china-reefs-asian-fish-stocks-at-risk/ |archive-date=15 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>