Several Chinese institutions on Monday jointly released a survey report on the coral reef ecosystem of Huangyan Dao of Sansha City of the southernmost Hainan Province.
Huangyan Dao is home to 135 species of hermatypic corals, which belong to 36 genera and 13 families, according to the survey report released by the South China Sea Ecological Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources, together with other relevant units and scientific innovation platforms.
The survey report shows the coral reef ecosystem of Huangyan Dao is generally in good condition.
There is a large variety of coral reef fish and benthic macroinvertebrates, according to the survey report.
Extensive and lush seagrass is distributed in the northern part of the lagoon of Huangyan Dao, covering an area of approximately 1.85 square kilometers.
"The average coverage rate of hermatypic corals within the Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve is 38.8 percent, which is very high. The nature reserve is also a vital breeding and habitat for numerous rare and endangered wildlife species. During our survey, we identified 94 species of wildlife under the first-class and second-class state protection, including hawksbill sea turtles, green sea turtles, boring giant clams, giant clams, Triton's trumpets and tiger cowries," said Xiong Xiaofei, senior engineer of the National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station for Nansha Coral Reef Ecosystem.
Historical records indicate that military activities, such as bombing exercises conducted by certain countries in the waters around Huangyan Dao during the 1960s and 1970s, caused damage to the coral reef ecosystem, according to the survey report.
"Illegal fishing and frequent intrusions by certain countries in recent years have posed considerable threats to the health of the Huangyan Dao ecosystem. Abnormal rise in sea surface temperatures due to global climate change and strikes of tropical cyclones have also exerted stress on the coral reef ecosystem of Huangyan Dao to certain extent. Additionally, the coral reef ecosystem of Huangyan Dao also faces the risk of further damage due to outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish," said Zhou Zihua, Ph.D with the South China Sea Ecological Center under the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The report holds that after the establishment of Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve, strict protection measures and necessary ecological restoration efforts will be conducive to maintaining and enhancing the diversity, stability, and sustainability of the coral reef ecosystem of Huangyan Dao.
In September 2025, China announced its approval to establish the Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve in a necessary measure to protect its coral reef ecosystem.
China releases survey report on Huangyan Dao coral reef ecosystem
