TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The sea of Flores, once offering beautiful scene of coral reef, is now threatened as continuous bombing activity devastated its natural beauty. In the northeastern part of Flores, Nusa Tenggara Timur, the colorful shallow water coral reefs now look pale and blackened, some are even scattered all over the place.

Similar condition can also be found on deep water coral reefs. "They crack, flip, and blacken," said Efin Muttaqin, researcher from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). "They are devastated. They all died," Tutus Wijanarko, a researcher from WWF Indonesia, added.

Efin and Tutus are members of the coral reef and coral fish expedition team deployed in Alor and East Flores waters. In total, there are 23 members of the team, consisting of researchers from WWF Indonesia, WCS Indonesia, and related authorities.

"We would like to observe the coral reef and fish in Alor and East Flores waters," said the team's field coordinator Nara Wisesa. The data will later be used as a status reference towards the coral reef, natural diversity, fishery potential, and threats against the ecosystem.

Upon sailing the waters, they found that the view on the seafloor was contradictory to the clear water. The crystal clear water displayed a heart-breaking view of damaged coral reefs. The peercentage of living reef had reached less than 30 percent in over 75 survey spots. "The damage was caused by bombs, fish net, and poison," Nara said.

Fishing activities using bombs and fish nets caused the reef to shatter and flip. In addition, intoxicating fish using potassium cyanide had also created adverse effects on the reefs, causing its color to darken.

MAHARDIKA SATRIA HADI