Only a few of RP’s marine protected areas ‘functioning’

Experts have lauded the increase in the number of marine protected areas (MPAs) established in the country, but raised concern over the level of conservation mechanisms that these sites actually receive.

In the recent launch of the MPA Awards and Recognition Event in the University of Philippines, it was revealed that there are now more than 1,000 MPAs in the country but only 20 to 30 percent of them are considered “functional.”

“Meaning, only a few MPAs have the ordinances to support or bolster moves to make sure that marine resources are protected or will be protected; management bodies to ensure that laws are enforced and the areas secured; and budget to sustain efforts either from the local government or a private corporation,” said Dr. Porfirio Aliño, of the UP Marine Science Institute (MSI).

From 40 MPAs put up between 1985 and 1990, the number grew to 500 between 1995 and 2000, and to more than 1,000 as of last month.

But many of these areas still lack sufficient conservation mechanisms like effective regulations on fishing and other extractive activities.

Aliño bewailed the lack of political will on the part of local governments to enforce initiatives to preserve marine resources in the MPAs, even when communities are all too eager to cooperate and embark on conservation projects.

Domingo Ochavillo, country director of Reef Check, an international conservation group, said a low percentage of the MPAs are considered “functional,” which means a “small area of protection” in Philippine waters.

Ochavillo said the absence of “institutional capacity” at the community level also affects the efficiency of MPAs.

Thus, he cited the need to increase the number of functioning MPAs to ensure that the country’s marine resources and rich marine biodiversity are conserved.

Ochavillo said this would also address problems of over-fishing and over-extraction of marine resources, which sometimes lead to total depletion of biodiversity.

A functioning MPA could either enforce regulated fishing or a total ban on fishing by declaring the site as a “no-take” zone, as what was recently declared in the Apo Reef Natural Park in Occidental Mindoro, to enable marine life to recover from years of destruction due to damaging fishing methods.

Aside from Apo Reef, other “functional” MPAs in the country include the Apo and Danjugan islands in Negros, and the Hilutungan Island marine sanctuary in Cebu.