Trash collected from reef in Talisay City

CEBU, Philippines - At least four sacks of trash including fishing lines were collected by divers from the Bogo Shoal, a marine protected area in Talisay City.

"Everyday, you will see fishing boats in the area when they're supposed to be none considering that the Bogo Shoal is a marine protected area, which means it's a no fishing zone. But that's not strictly enforced," said Alfie Fernandez of the Knight-Stewards of the Sea, Inc. (Seaknights), a group of divers deputized by the Talisay City government.

Fernandez said they found that the fishing lines (nylon), fishing nets, sand-filled plastic gallons used as sinkers and other non-biodegradable materials were entangled with corals at the Bogo Shoal. If not removed, these materials will eventually suffocate these marine creatures, he said.

Seventeen divers from Seaknights went on board two pump boats for the clean-up initiated by the city in almost four years.

The Bogo Shoal, an "underwater garden" that measures up to almost three hectares, was opened to the public in 2008 during the term of former mayor Socrates Fernandez. It was described such because of the colorful and table-size corals that can be found there.

At that time, the reef was said to be ready for divers that the City Council approved a local ordinance allowing the city government to collect fees from divers and snorkelers. However, local fishermen allegedly cut the marine buoys surrounding the reef and a typhoon that year destroyed the floating guardhouses that the city government had put up.

With the absence of these safeguards, local fishers started fishing within the protected area. What made the situation worse was the incident in March 2009 when the MV Majuro, a Chinese cargo ship, ran aground thereat.

The US10,000 donation from MV Majuro supposedly for the rehabilitation of the reef was spent by the Fernandez' administration on other matters.

Private groups including Seaknights have volunteered to clean the reef but on irregular intervals. 

The current mayor, Johnny delos Reyes, vowed yesterday to rehabilitate the reef at all cost. He said he saw from pictures how beautiful the area is and wants it to become the next diving destination.

"Nindot kaayo ni ipanghambug nga aduna kita'y nindot kaayo nga talan-awon ilawom sa dagat. Kung mabalik na nato, dili lang mahatagan og daghang isda ang mga mananagat ug ang ilang mga pamilya, maka-attract pud ta'g mga diver sa mga nagkalain-laing lugar," he said.

Val Alo, one of the Seaknights divers, said given six to 12 months the Bogo Shoal will be ready again to become a dive site. He said there may be a few destruction, but the reef is still teeming with different kinds of fishes and the corals are still generally healthy. The visibility is also 'very good,'" he said.

The mayor said a program of work for the buoys and floater is already being worked out and will be installed once they will be available. He will also put up a new guardhouse there.

Furthermore, Delos Reyes said he will post local police in the area in Barangay Poblacion where the Bogo Shoal is a part of to keep watch for local fishermen. —/JMO (FREEMAN)