SUAKCREM Program
of Study for 2001 - 2005
Eight marine
reserves on small islands have been established by academic institutions and
non-government organizations in the 14,000-km2 Bohol (Mindanao)
Sea enclosed by the islands of Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and northern Mindanao
between 1974 and 2001. In addition, a number of marine reserves have been
set up by local government units or non-government organizations along the
coastal areas of Siquijor Island and the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte,
Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental. These three provinces face the Bohol
Sea. The latest count includes one in Zamboanga del Norte, five in Misamis
Occidental, two in Misamis Oriental and two or three in Siquijor. Unfortunately,
not all of these are functional. The provinces of Agusan del Norte and Surigao
de Norte may have some protected areas but none have been reported to us.
One important oceanographic fact about the Bohol Sea is that it is
connected to the Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean through the Surigao
Strait at the northeast and to the Sulu Sea at the southwest. The islands
of Biliran and Dinagat are situated at the entrance to the Bohol Sea. They
are a possible source of marine propagules coming from the Pacific side. During
the northeast monsoon, the water level at the Pacific side is said to be higher,
causing flow of water in the southwest direction in the Bohol Sea. If our
observation of the southwest movement of ocean currents in the Bohol Sea during
part of the year, especially during the northeast monsoon, is confirmed, the
islands of Biliran and Dinagat should be part of the overall conservation
program for the whole Bohol (Mindanao) Sea. Oceanographers state that the
Sulu Sea derives part of its water from the South China Sea. If so, during
part of the year (southwest monsoon) water enters the Bohol Sea from the Sulu
Sea. This makes the southern tip of Negros an important source of propagules.
In order that the reserves in the Bohol Sea, and others still to be established
later, can effectively function to conserve fish stocks and biodiversity and
to give full benefits to local communities, their locations must be rationalized
on the basis of their connectivity. The whole Bohol Sea must therefore be
taken as a conservation unit, and the research and development program should
be guided by these ecological and oceanographic considerations.
Community organizing will be an important component of all projects on resource
protection and management, as it has been shown to be effective in empowering
local government units and local communities.
Some Research/Development Projects
1. Patterns
of water circulation in the Bohol Sea and how these patterns affect the distribution of
fisheries, such as the anchovy fisheries in southern Bohol and along the northern coast of
Mindanao, the small pelagics in Dapitan Bay and other bays, the sardine fishery in eastern Sulu
Sea and Bohol Sea.
2. Comparison of fishes in coral reef marine reserves throughout the
Bohol Sea, from
Aliguay Island to Dinagat Island and if possible
also Siargao Island.
3. Establishment of marine reserves on Dinagat Island, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, Agusan
del Norte, southern tip of Negros Island.
4. Establishment of new marine reserves and strengthening of those established earlier at Siquijor
Island.
5. Studies on distributions of organisms such as sea snakes, corals etc. as possible indicators of
reef health.
6. Studies on economic valuations of coral reefs in the Bohol Sea.
7. Studies on the ecology of economically important coral reef fishes.
8. Studies on the herpetofauna of Dinagat and Siargao Islands.
9. Studies on and conservation of submerged coral reefs in the eastern
Suland the Bohol Sea.
10. Integration of family planning in community development.
Income from 8-Month Old Fish Sanctuary Supports
Community Project
A community-based
marine sanctuary project in Mantigue Island off Camiguin Province generates
income from diving and anchorage fees. The fees generated have provided funds
for a water hose used to convey potable water for community use. More community
projects supported by income from the sanctuary are expected in the future.
Members of the Malungtaron nga Tinguha Guipangandoy (MANTIGUI) organization
confirmed the above-named contribution of the sanctuary to the SUAKCREM team
during the community meeting on February 22, 2001.
| |
Officials and members
of MANTIGUI installed a pipeline in main land Camiguin extending to
the shore facing directly Mantigue Island where people from the island
exclusively fetch their potable water. |
Teofilo Portrias, Sr., President
of the organization, said that the sanctuary’s income of P2000 during the
period of seven months has answered the community’s long awaited need for
a water pipe.
Portrias added that the sanctuary generates money from ecotourism because
the 33 households, who are also members of MANTIGUI, have been protecting
the sanctuary since its establishment in August 2000.
Moreover, the fish visual census on February 23-24 conducted by Aileen Maypa
and Vivien Cabanban, both of SUAKCREM, showed that the sanctuary is protected,
as shown by the manifested unwary behavior of large fishes towards divers.
LGUs Call for Research
on Don & Challenger Reefs, Eastern Sulu Sea
SUAKCREM
will conduct researches on Challenger and Don Reefs as requested by the local
government units (LGU) of Dapitan and Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte.
Meetings with the stakeholders in Dapitan and Dipolog
Cities will be held to discuss and analyze the problems that they are confronted
with, especially the degradation of their coral reefs and the depletion of
fisheries, and the possible solutions to these problems.
Among the objectives of the study are to:
- Assess sardine fishery, fish
and invertebrate populations in selected sites including Don and Challenger
Reefs.
- Assess healthy populations
of commercially important fish
- Assess coral diseases and
pests.
- Identify possible spawning
areas, if any, of target fish species;
- Identify siltation patterns;
and
- Mapping of Challenger and
Don Reefs showing major current patterns.
Dapitan Mayor
Cedric Ruiz and Dipolog Mayor Roberto Uy are considering starting the proposed
research soonest, probably in May 2001.
On Review of Research
Programs and proposals
Dr. Angel C. Alcala participated in the review of research
proposals from University of the Philippines (UP) on February 13 and 16, 2001.
Together with the other experts, Alcala was expected
to report and certify on the acceptability of the program initiated by the
University of the Philippines in the Visayas at Miag-ao, Iloilo. Results of
the review would be the bases of the Bureau of Agricultural Research decision
to grant the second fund release of the project on “Enhancing Sustainable
Fisheries Through Improved Marine Fishery Reserves.”
Alcala, who is also the director of Silliman University
(SU)-CHED Zonal Research Center reviewed with Dr. Betty Abregana, SU Vice
President for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Orencio Lachica the SU School of Music
and Fine Arts’ proposal on “An Assessment of Two Methods for Teaching Music
in the Elementary Schools of Dumaguete City.”
Alcala’s Honorary
Doctorate from USP
The University of Southeastern Philippines (USP) in Davao City awarded the
degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Development Research and Administration
(honoris causa) to Dr. Angel C. Alcala, in recognition of his achievements
in research and development, on March 30, 2001.
Alcala was also the commencement speaker during the 22nd Commencement Exercises
of USP on the same date.
Pew Fellow is Adopted
Son of Camiguin
The province of Camiguin, through Resolution No. 83, series 2000, recognized
Dr. Angel C. Alcala’s exemplary and invaluable services rendered to the people
of Camiguin as manifested by the establishment of fish sanctuaries at Mantigue
Island, Barangay San Roque and Binaliwan, all in Mahinog town.
