RP's lone double-barrier reef in poor state

CEBU, Philippines - Danajon Bank, which is shared by the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and Southern Leyte, is considered one of the world’s six double-barrier reefs and the only one in the Philippines.

It is also a main source of livelihood for the communities living along its coastlines. But it is now in a very sad state because of the extensive illegal fishing.

Angie Nellas, senior biologist of Project Seahorse Foundation, said that illegal fishing in Danajon Bank has remained unbridled since the 1950s.

It is unfortunate considering that the many villages along this reef thrive on fishing, Nellas said.

The 272-square-kilometer Danajon Bank runs along Cebu’s Cordova town and Lapu-Lapu City; Leyte’s Bato, Hindang, Matalom and Hilongos; Southern Leyte’s Maasin and Bohol’s Tubigon, Clarin, Inabanga, Buenavista, Getafe, Talibon, Bien Unido, Trinidad, Ubay, and Carlos P.Garcia towns.

Based on the studies and researches conducted by the PSF for the last years, fishermen have already experienced “low catch” on fishes, a possible result of the diminishing coral gardens and the conversion of mangroves into agricultural ponds.

Apart from illegal fishing, PSF, during its feedback forum with the stakeholders the other day in Watergate Tourist Inn, Talibon, Bohol identified the following as “threats” to Danajon Bank: the weak enforcement of environmental laws, dredging, small-scale mining, expansion of mariculture without studies on its effects to the environment, poaching (non-resident/no permit); unregulated navigational/shipping activities, improper waste disposal; pollution, population increase and migration; and the lack of management plan for the entire reef.

Last Friday’s event, “Ang Danajon Bank Karon, Unsa ang Ugma?” was carried out to arrive at decisions and actions for the said marine area.

Nellas said that objectives are to “deepen” the awareness of partners and stakeholders of the current conditions of the area; reaffirm their individual roles as advocates of conservation work; and it is also a call for their support in making responsible decisions and actions to address the continuing and emerging threats confronting this unique marine resource.

So far, about 170 marine protected areas have already been established within the Danajon Bank. But Nellas said this is just .32 percent of the entire area, which means there should be more MPAs to be set up to ensure that the bank gets protected.

Stakeholders who were gathered that day were also made to give their commitment to oversee the place, especially in their respected areas of responsibilities, the PSF official said.

There were 30 representatives of people’s organizations, management councils from the different barangays, and fishermen from Bohol, Cebu and Leyte who were there last Friday.

PSF undertakes research and management initiatives for marine resources, within an ecosystem framework, the actual rehabilitation and protection to Danajon Bank now lies to the people living within the area, and the local government.

Nellas said that the local government units like the towns of Bien Unido and Getafe, among others, have also shown their support to restore Danajon’s marine resources, only they don’t do it regularly, like the supposed constant patrolling in the area for dynamite fishing and/or the regulation of the seaweed farming activities, which are seen to have also caused destruction to the reef.

Nellas continued that PSF is just a “catalyst” to this project, that if the government and all the stakeholders will not do their part, that goal to save and protect Danajon Bank will still be put to nothing. — Liv G. Campo/MEEV (FREEMAN NEWS)