Conserving the rare Danajon double barrier reef

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Philippines – The Minantaw Marine Park and Sanctuary (MMPS), a marine protected area (MPA) created through the joint efforts of Chevron Philippines Incorporated (CPI), Project Seahorse Foundation (PSF), United Fishers of Caubian (NAMACA) and the local government of Lapu-Lapu City, has breathed hope for the conservation of the rare and little known Danajon double barrier reef or Danajon Bank.

The 214.6-hectare MMPS within the Danajon Bank, one of six known double barrier reefs in the world and source of marine biodiversity in the region, is located in central Philippines.

It is a critical fishing ground for thousands of fishers from Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and southern Leyte. Since the 1950s, wanton exploitation and absence of conservation have severely degraded its marine habitats.

MMPS is the first multi-use MPA in the country. It has a regulated fishing zone (62 hectares), seaweed farming zone (55 has.), sustainable use zone (37 has.) and 50-hectare strictly no-take or core zone.

Before the MMPS, widespread illegal fishing in the area led to the demise of various marine lives and the fishing livelihood of the people of Brgy. Caubian. Ironically, most of the illegal fishers during that time were from Caubian and other neighboring Barangays, raising major concerns from local officials.

“Chevron deserves credit for the success of MMPS and the community of Caubian in creating the country’s first multi-use marine park and sanctuary. It is admirable that a big commercial company like Chevron includes biodiversity as part of their drive for operational excellence. Chevron unfolded the MMPS using deliberate steps and well-grounded metrics to form a strong tripartite private-government – community alliance,” said Angelie Nellas, senior biologist, PSF.

Since the creation of the sanctuary, local fisherfolks have seen more commercially valuable species like rabbit fish, crabs, squid, seaweeds, lukot, and urok.

Project seahorse senior biologist Angie Nellas orients visitors about the marine park inside the guardhouse which was renovated to serve as a learning center for visitors.

To affirm that these initial observations equate to the effectiveness and the sustainability of the Marine Park and MPA, PSF focused on community organizing, formation and capacity building of the management council, as well as monitoring the biophysical conditions of the marine sanctuary.

“When we joined one of the dive surveys looking and measuring life underwater, we were surprised to see various sizes of fish now swimming in the area as well as the wide span of live corals being preserved and untouched. The presence of star fishes also indicate that the water is clean and can harbor life once again,” said Dario Lumapas Jr., a former illegal fisher turned fish warden tasked to protect the area from these kinds of illegal activities.

“Protecting people and the environment is a core value at Chevron that underlies the work we do to conserve biodiversity in association with our projects and operations. A healthy ecosystem impacts Chevron’s business in two ways: first, it allows an environment that supports the drawing and creation of energy from nature in a sustainable and respectful way and; second, providing for the well-being and progress of local communities will ultimately contribute to the health of the economy,” explains Raissa Bautista, CPI manager for policy, government and public affairs.

Three years after the creation of MMPS, the reef is not only showing improved health but the lives of Caubian villagers have seen positive changes as well.

The seaweed industry in Cebu gets regular produce from Caubian and the resorts in Olango Island get crabs from Caubian fishers. A nearby resort employs Caubian residents. Money lenders also extend loans to Caubian residents whereas before they stay away from Caubian.

Trips to MMPS are also increasing from visitors from Mandaue City, Mactan Export Processing Zone employees, resort guests (for swimming), development NGOs from Mindanao and LGUs from Zamboanga Peninsula have all visited MMPS.

“We need more people to be aware of this valuable marine treasure which few people even from Cebu know about. The vision for MMPA is to become a well-managed dive destination so that nearby villagers can have an alternative source of livelihood. Danajon Bank’s true value lies on the preservation of its marine habitats for eco-tourism purposes,” said Bautista.