Cucumbers, clams and coral – protecting our marine biodiversity together

Dear Friends,

The ocean covers more than 70 percent of our planet. Australia and the Philippines – as island nations – know the importance of a healthy and diverse marine environment. Our coastal livelihoods and the Blue Economy – whether for jobs, tourism, energy or science – depend on it. For Filipinos and Australians alike, our prosperity and security are tied to the seas that surround us.

The maritime partnership between our countries is an integral part of our bilateral relationship, and I am proud to say this cooperation continues to deepen. Some of our Australian embassy staff were fortunate to go snorkeling in support of their work. While visiting Pangasinan last week on a site visit, my team went underwater to learn more about the giant clam breeding program, led by the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) and Australia’s James Cook University. This collaboration by Australian and Filipino marine scientists and researchers has seen more than 70,000 giant clams restored to Philippine reefs. Giant clams are a valuable asset to the tourism sector, and a boost to reef health for fishing communities. Protecting them from illicit trade is also important. In the Philippines, giant clams are classified as threatened, and their commercial harvest and trade are banned under the country’s wildlife conservation law.

The Philippines sits in the coral triangle and is home of over 600 types of corals and 2,000 species of fish, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Coral reefs remain highly vulnerable to human impact and climate change. The reefs around Pangasinan, like many others in Southeast Asia, have been hit by significant coral bleaching events. But I am proud to say that with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, UP-MSI and Australia’s Southern Cross University are pioneering research that demonstrates the mass culture of coral larvae on reefs can provide a scalable approach to reef restoration. Australian-sponsored projects with UP-MSI and coastal civil society organizations ensure appropriate community-based and sustainability measures are in place.

Sea cucumbers are a curious looking marine animal related to starfish and sea urchins. They are valued as a prestigious dried seafood in Asian cuisine and can fetch up to $1,000 per kilogram in some markets. Recognizing the economic potential of sea cucumber production for coastal fishing communities, Australia is also supporting the University of Sunshine Coast and UP-MSI to enhance sea cucumber farming practices and improve Filipino livelihoods. Their work is showing significant results – sea cucumbers are now being grown in sea ranching sites in the Philippines, providing communities with a source of income. This program engages coastal communities in marine research and demonstrates that effective marine resource management can lead to more sustainable and secure livelihoods.

Australia’s efforts to support the Philippines to protect the marine environment extends beyond the waters of Pangasinan. Through our P328-million Philippine Civil Maritime Security Program, Australia is working with partners like UP-MSI to protect and restore coral reefs not just in Pangasinan, but also around Cebu, Palawan, Zambales and the Verde Island Passage.

Australia is also making targeted investments to promote the sustainable management of Philippine marine resources and build the marine environment’s resilience. We are investing in marine conservation through our P3.6-billion Southeast Asia regional maritime program – and the Philippines is a significant partner and beneficiary.

Australia is providing geospatial mapping assistance to the Philippines to help determine the climate resilience of islands in the West Philippines Sea. We are also partnering with the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development on coral reef data collection and monitoring, to better understand the impact of climate change.

Our partnerships are underpinned by strong governance structures and effective international advocacy. This includes efforts by both of our countries to ratify and promote the landmark High Seas Biodiversity Treaty in 2023.

The 2024 Memorandum of Understanding on Enhanced Maritime Cooperation, signed by Australia and the Philippines in February, recognizes our shared intent to do more together in the maritime and marine domains. It signals our joint commitment to upholding the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), preserving regional peace and stability and the protection of maritime resources.

Despite our good work to date, there is much more for Australia and the Philippines to do to protect the marine environment. In March this year, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced that Australia would invest a further P2.49 billion to enhance Australia’s maritime partnerships across Southeast Asia and contribute to the security and prosperity of the region. I am pleased to say the Philippines will once again be a significant partner in this multi-country project.

By working together towards a stable and secure region – where our marine environments are protected, resilient and sustainable – we can ensure the economic prosperity and security for generations to come.

I look forward to this next phase in the Australia-Philippines maritime partnership.

Yours truly,

HK

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HK Yu is the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) @AusAmbPH.