Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project: April 2006 update
Added to website: 01 July 2006
Project Brief
Aim
The Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project (SLCRCP) is a three-year collaborative project (2002–2005), to survey the coral reefs of Sogod Bay. The programme provides training and conservation education opportunities for local Filipinos, as part of an integrated programme to develop local capacity and ensure the long-term protection and sustainable use of marine resources throughout the region.
Location
Sogod Bay, Southern Leyte, South-Eastern Philippines.
Project Partners
CCC is working at the invitation of and in partnership with the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte and the Philippine Reef & Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc (PRRCFI).
Marine Science Programme
New Project Scientist Sorry for the delay in the arrival of this months Monthly Project Update. My name is Mr. Olly Wood and I have recently extended my stay in the Philippines and have now undertaken the role of Project Scientist for the CCC site. I have been here since the beginning of the year as the Science Officer on site and now hope to continue my work here until the end of August, with my new role. I hope to be working closely with many, in not all, of you in the near future to continue the study, protection and growth of Southern Leytes’ natural resources.Baseline Surveys
Background: Our baseline surveying programme is designed to gather data about the biological and morphological standing of Sogod Bay. These data are combined with information on human and natural impacts on the reefs, along with oceanographic data, to ultimately produce a Geographical Information System ‘map’ of the various habitats of the bay. It is like a ‘stock-take’ of the current marine resources, which is being produced to provide policymakers and concerned institutions with information necessary to effectively manage those resources. To date, the northern end of Sogod Bay has been surveyed, and the remainder of the project will concentrate on the south and Limasawa Island. If you would like more information on our surveying rationale or methodology, please don’t hesitate to contact our Project Scientist.
We have continued to concentrate our survey efforts around Limasawa in view of the impending Habbagat. Once this sets in it will make transit to and from the island more difficult. We have completed eleven sectors here this month with several others nearing completion.
ReefCheck
Background:Based at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), ReefCheck is the name of both the world’s largest coral reef monitoring network and of the common methodology used, allowing the comparison of results from various locations worldwide. Although less detailed than CCC’s baseline surveys, the ReefCheck method is effective for monitoring changes in reef health over time. In order to do this, we mark the survey ‘transect’ with metal stakes, to ensure that repeat surveys are in the same place each time. These stakes are sited in rock, dead coral or sand for minimal disruption of the fragile reef system. CCC is proud to be a major contributing member of ReefCheck. Check out their site at www.ReefCheck.org
During the month April, we completed 5 Reef Check Surveys around Ampo reef and Buenavista M.P.A.
Environmental Awareness
0n 26th April a small group attended the 7th Annual Environmental Youth Camp where we gave lectures in reef awareness to approximately 40 children from the High schools of Malitbog. This was followed by a scenario in which the children got thoroughly involved and enjoyed very much.Dive into Earth Day 22nd April 2006
On the afternoon of 22nd April 2006, Coral Cay Volunteers, with the help of many of the locals aided in a beach clean up in the Barangay of Padre Burgos, on the stretch of shore immediately in front of Medicare Centre. ‘Dive into Earth Day’ is an international event which occurs across the globe, with many individuals cleaning both the beaches and their surrounding underwater environments.
The CCC Volunteers and staff helped clean the 500m stretch of shore with the aid from the villagers who turned up in large numbers at around 1p.m on the Saturday afternoon. Later dive teams entered the water and collected plastics and trash from the reef, which causes great damage by ‘suffocating’ the corals or killing the fish and mammals which eat them when confused with jellyfish and other foods.
Large amounts of rubbish were collected throughout the day and CCC would like to thank all that turned up and helped in the beach clean up effort.
Capacity Building/Training of Local Counterparts
On 10th April we conducted a Teacher training day with nine science teachers from the College of Maasin. Lectures on Fish and Coral ecology, threats to the Reef and Coastal Resource Management were followed by a lively debate and a fictitious scenario which highlighted the practical challenges involved when discussing coastal development and the building of a new port scheme. The participants were then given instruction in practical snorkelling methods which were put to the test on our house reef at Ampo.Mangrove Clean up at Buenavista MPA
On the afternoon of 19th April the CCC science team joined the Barangay council in a small clean up around the Buenavista MPA and its mangroves. While some collected rubbish from the shore line, a team of snorkellers were sent in to clean the mangroves and the shallow seagrass flats. A quick assessment was also made of the seedlings planted by CCC late last year and we are happy to report that around 60-70% are surviving and thriving in their new home. Hopefully in future years they will provide increased protection from the force of the sea and house many young fish for the continued growth of the sanctuary.
Interesting/Unusual Sightings
I am very excited to report that that some major sightings have occurred in the surrounding areas by CCC volunteers, staff and its local friends.Along with many Turtles, whose numbers seem to be increasing constantly in the area, we have spotted a Napoleon Humphead Wrasse Cheilinus undulates just out from Medicare in Padre Burgos. The Wrasse is a large fish which can grow to 2m long and weigh 200kg, however this one was slightly smaller. The fish feeds on large invertebrates including the ‘Crown of Thorns’ starfish Acanthaster planci, which is a mass destroyer of corals as it feeds; so the sighting of the Napoleon is a great relief to the Burgos reef were a few Crown of Thorns have been sighted.
Also our local boat boy Ariel Canares spotted a small Hammerhead Shark Sphyrna sp. from the boat while our divers were underwater; however none of our divers saw it!
Also a large pod of Dolphins were sighted cruising across the Bay on one of our trips to Napantao, San Fransisco.
Apart from this ‘mega-fauna’ our divers have spotted many interesting smaller species which indicate some healthy reefs; these include both Ornate and Seagrass Ghost Pipefish, a small species which is very hard to spot as it camouflages itself in feather stars and sea grasses. Also Clown Triggerfish, Emperor Angelfish, Frogfish and the tiny Pygmy Seahorse which grows to 3cm!
A very good month for us!
