A Survey Report on the Coral Reef Ecology of Huangyan Dao is released on 29th December, 2025, which is co-authored by South China Sea Ecological Center of Ministry of Natural Resources, South China Sea Development Research Institute, South China Sea Survey Center, South China Sea Marine Forcast and Hazard Mitigation Center, Beihai Marine Center, South China Sea Sea Area and Island Center, as well as Nansha Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station and Technology Innovation Center for South China Sea Remote Sensing, Surveying and Mapping Collaborative Application. 

The report combing field investigations including vessel navigation survey, diving investigation, satellite and aerial remote sensing, and in-situ observation and historical data analysis conducted a survey and assessment of the coral reef ecosystem of Huangyan Dao.

( A Survey Report on the Coral Reef Ecology of Huangyan Dao is released on December 29, 2025)

The report indicated the following: (1) The coral reef ecosystem of Huangyan Dao is in an overall healthy condition. A total of 135 species of reef-building corals belonging to 36 genera and 13 families are recorded. The hard coral cover of Huangyan Dao is relatively high, but with regional variations. Coral reef fishes and benthic macro-invertebrates are in large varieties. Furthermore, 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. (2) The average hard coral cover of Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve reaches as high as 38.8%, being an important breeding and habitat area for many endangered wildlife species, including 94 species listed as national first class and second class protection such as Chelonia mydas, Eretmochelys imbricata, Tridacna crocea, Tridacna maxima, Charonia tritonis, and Cypraea tigris.

The report showed that in the 1960s and 1970s, the illegal military activities—such as bomb-dropping exercises—by relevant countries indicated by the data, caused damages to the coral reefs at Huangyan Dao. Recently, illegal fishing and frequent intrusions by relevant countries have indued a great stress on the ecosystem.  

The report pointed out that the abnormal increase in sea surface temperature caused by global climate change and the attacks by tropical cyclone, have also imposed adverse effects on the ecosystem. In addition, Huangyan Dao faces the potential risk of further degradation caused by outbreaks of Acanthaster solaris.

The report argued that after the establishment of Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve, strict protection measures and necessary ecological restoration efforts will be implemented to help maintain and enhance the diversity, stability, and sustainability of the coral reef ecosystem of Huangyan Dao.