WWF lauds conviction of Tubbataha poachers

MANILA, Philippines - The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) lauds the recent conviction of 12 Chinese poachers who were responsible for destroying 3,902 square meters of coral in April 2013.

Tubbataha rangers apprehended the poachers aboard the F/V Min Long Yu after the steel-hulled vessel ran aground on Tubbataha’s North Atoll.

The captain received the maximum penalty of 12 years in prison, while members of his crew were meted out six to 10 year sentences. Each was also fined $100,000.

“It is one thing to create laws to protect our waters from environmental criminals, but another to effectively prosecute them,” said Lory  Tan, WWF Philippines chief executive officer.

He added, “We commend the Tubbataha rangers and government prosecutors for playing key roles in successfully bringing these poachers to justice.”

Though already convicted for illegal entry into Tubbataha, the 12 poachers still stand trial for carrying the carcasses of 2,870 pangolins or scaly anteaters.

The Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits trade in Asian pangolin species.

If the carcasses are determined to be from the Philippines, the poachers could  be punished under the Philippine Wildlife Act.

Tubbataha research capabilities to be upgraded

Around two dozen Filipino marine science experts participated in the Tubbataha ecosystem research and monitoring workshop, held from July 23 and 24 at Puerto Princesa.

“The workshop was designed to help us reach our research goal of determining ecosystem health, measuring biophysical indicators for management effectiveness and identifying proactive strategies and responses to emerging issues based on sound scientific information,”  Tubbataha Reefs Park superintendent Angelique Songco said.

WWF has been working to protect the Tubbataha Reefs since 1996.

Its latest initiative with the Tubbataha Management Office (TMO) is the construction of a new ranger station, with a built-in research facility for up to eight scientists to conduct on-site marine studies for months at a time.

The station would  utilize green technology such as solar panels, micro-wind turbines, rainwater collectors and vegetable gardens to maximize self-sufficiency and capacity.

A helicopter pad will boost rapid reaction capabilities while a library, visitor center and merchandise shop would  entice park visitors to interact with the rangers who spend lonely two-month shifts protecting the park from poachers and illegal fisherfolk.

“This should dramatically boost our ability to protect and study the area. Barring delays, the soft-launch is slated for the summer of 2015,” reveals WWF-Philippines Tubbataha project manager Marivel Dygico.