Philippines Marine Update:October 2005
Added to website: 31 October 2005
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
1.Baseline Surveys
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.
No baseline surveys were conducted this month. We are preparing for MPA monitoring surveys to be done over the next few weeks within and outside of the 4 protected areas in Padre Burgos. These results will be used to assess the effects of the MPA on recovering fish stocks in the future.
2. ReefCheck
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
No Reef Checks were conducted this month.
Environmental Awareness
High School students at the Maasin College enjoyed watching a DVD of the ‘Blue Planet’ video that highlights the amazing diversity and beauty of coral reefs. The enthusiastic crowd was taught what they could do to stop the destruction of the reefs. Simple measures such as throwing your garbage in proper disposal bins instead of in the ocean and taking care to avoid stepping on the corals can have a profound effect on the general health of the reef in populated areas. With a better understanding and appreciation of the reefs as well as their future potential as a source of income from tourism, comes an increased willingness to protect this vital resource for the livelihoods of future generations.The quarterly Coastal Resource Management meeting was held at the base of CCC in Padre Burgos on the 12th of October. The CRM network was set up in S. Leyte to bring together all the organisations, whether they are government, university or non-government. The aim of the meeting is to discuss what has been done by the various parties and how we can help each other in the future to protect and manage the coastal resources of Southern Leyte.
Interesting/Unusual Sightings
Although the name would not suggest so, the Common Sea Horse (Hippocampus taeniopterus) is a very rare sighting due to its cryptic coloration that allows it to almost disappear within seagrass beds. The individual was spotted floating near the surface off of Gunters wall, a popular dive site on the eastern side of Limasawa island. Seahorses are commonly caught for the aquarium trade to which the Philippines is the greatest contributor in the world.Mandarin Fish (Synchiropus splendidus) is another example of a rare species that is popular to have in ones aquarium due to its beautifully bright colour patterns. It can be found hiding in coral and rubble beds. Divers are usually lucky to get a short glimpse before it darts off to hide within the corals. Several individuals were seen this month, all of them near the marine protected area of Santa Sofia.
Upcoming Events
At the end of November, representatives from barangays in Padre Burgos, the pacific side barangay of Molopolo in Liloan and Leyte province will join together at the Coral Cay expedition base in Padre Burgos to attend an intensive, one week training course in conducting marine surveys and general marine awareness. We are very much looking forward to teaching these very important representatives so that they can help their respective communities install, monitor and protect their sanctuaries over the next years. Please watch this space for a report on how it went!
