Tubbataha damage assessed at $1.4 M

MANILA, Philippines - Top reef experts from the Tubbataha Management Office (TMO), University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI), National Institute of Physics (NIP), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), De Lasalle University (DLSU-SHIELDS), United States Navy (USN) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), just finished assessing the damage wrought by the USS Guardian – a US Navy Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship which ran aground the world-famous Tubbataha Reefs last Jan. 17.

According to the assessment team, results indicate the damaged area spans 2,345.67 square meters – smaller than the 4,000 square meters originally estimated by an American team.

Under Republic Act 10067 or the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Act of 2009, a fine of about $600 or P24,000 per square meter of damaged reef is mandatory.

Further park rule violations boosted the final total to slightly less than P60 million, or roughly $1.4 million.

Tubbataha Reefs Park superintendent Angelique Songco noted that “$1.4 million is but a slap on the wrist, as the salvage operation has been estimated to cost close to $45 million.

However, we respect the rule of law and these are the fines stipulated. The Tubbataha Management Office will not ask for anything more.”

A multi-awarded UNESCO World Heritage site, which celebrates its silver anniversary in 2013, Tubbataha boasts of unparalleled biodiversity levels. Whereas a typical square kilometer of healthy coral reef annually contains up to 30 metric tons of fish biomass per square kilometer, Tubbataha boasts from 200 to 300 metric tons. Though fishing within the park is not allowed, the larval dispersal effects, fueled by currents, continually seed the Sulu Sea with fish and invertebrate spawn.

WWF-Philippines vice-chair and CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan added: “The swift resolution of this matter will allow TMO to build a significant endowment fund to sustain its operations through the years. The basic issue here is not tourism. It is food security. This fresh infusion of funds will allow TMO to concentrate on putting the money to good use – from building a better ranger station to upgrading their capacity to manage the country’s most productive coral reef. Let us settle what must be settled, learn what must be learned, and move forward.”

Though long touted as one of the world’s richest bastions for marine biodiversity, a scant five percent  of Philippine coral reefs are considered excellent – meaning hard, reef-building corals cover at least three-fourths of a given reef.

Marine habitats close to human communities are typically overfished and degraded, while those situated in remote areas are protected by their relative isolation.

Palawan’s famed Tubbataha Reefs benefit from the fact that the nearest major landmass sits 160 kilometers northwest.

Battered by strong storms and swells nine months yearly, the 97,030-hectare natural park can only be visited from March to May, when recreational divers and researchers flock to study thriving populations of birds, fish and invertebrates.

Last Jan. 17, the tranquility of Tubbataha’s closed season was interrupted when the USS Guardian, a US Navy Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship, ran aground on Tubbataha’s southern atoll. Seven ships were quickly brought in to cut up and recover the vessel.

Experts from the UP-MSI, NIP,  BFAR, DLSU-SHIELDS and WWF sailed to Tubbataha  April 2 to ascertain coral reef damage and check if restoration efforts are feasible.

“WWF lauds the composite team for the successful extrication of the USS Guardian. With the first step accomplished, we now move on to assessment,” Tan said. “The results will give us an objective basis for the fines that must be collected not just to expedite reef recovery but to upgrade our capacity to conserve our country’s most productive reef system.”

The assessment team is composed of Songco, Dr. Maricor Soriano from the National Institute of Physics, WWF-Philippines Tubbataha Reefs project manager Marivel Dygico, Dr. Wilfredo Licuanan, Dr. Cesar Villanoy, Miledel Quibilan, Patrick Cabaitan, Narida Eznairah and Norievill España from UP-MSI, plus November Romena and Elsa Furio from BFAR.

Under Republic Act 10067 or the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Act of 2009, a fine of about $300 or P12,000 per square meter is mandatory, plus another $300 or so per square meter for rehabilitation efforts.

If the damaged area covers 4,000 square meters, total fines might exceed $5 million or P200 million.

“This is not the first grounding incident in the park – all previous cases paid the appropriate fines for damages. We will not ask for anything more than what the law requires. We wish only for the US Navy to be responsible enough when entering our protected areas. However, we are quite confident that the United States Navy – an institution long held in high esteem for its strict adherence to honor and duty – shall honor the rule of law,” Songco said.

In 2011, the US Navy paid the state of Hawaii $15 million or P610 million for a 2009 grounding incident which obliterated about 890 square meters of coral reef near O’ahu.