Anilao - Saving our Reefs

Anilao

It’s no secret. Not just in the southern islands, not just in Bohol and Palawan, Davao and Cebu but even off the coast of Luzon, there reside coral. Even as close as two or three hours away from Manila, in the coastal coves of Batangas —Anilao and further North in Nasugbu along The Hamilo coast — all these sandy beaches are fringed with coral reefs. These magnificent marine organisms are of such serene and awesome beauty, they are, in large part, the reason why divers dive and snorkelers snorkel. To get a glimpse of the coral’s varied hues and grace in the movement of their every polyp or tentacle in the warm depths of the sea. Why, that’s nothing short of breathtaking.

Anilao

However, as we’ve all come to know, our coral reefs have been in jeopardy in the last two or three decades. And due to its proximity to the larger urban cities — and the accompanying development and pollution — Batangas has seen its share of coral devastation. To the point that it took time before people considered it a place that would once again yield great marine sightings. That was how much marine life in the area had been debilitated.

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Things are looking up, fortunately. Recently, the Municipal Council of Nasugbu declared the Santelmo, Etayo and Pico de Loro coves as Marine Protected Areas, in order to resuscitate the health of these waters which have been ravaged by illegal fi shing methods, habitat destruction and human and urban pollution.

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There are 13 beautiful coves along this coastline, each offering green mountains and views of the South China Sea. As for the waters, they make up the Verde Passage, acknowledged to be teeming with marine biodiversity including the most number of fish species.

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The Marine Protected Areas are a result of partnerships among the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Philippines, stakeholders and the surrounding community. According to Joel Palma, vice president for conservation programs, “…the area has been subjected to various environmental stresses… that resulted in the deterioration in the conditions of the coral, reef fi sh, sea grass or microalgae communities.” That’s why several coastal resources management programs and educational campaigns have been initiated including admirable efforts from the fishing communities and barangays. These have been so effective that residents of neighboring barangays have started nature conservation groups like Kaagapay ng Mamamayan Para sa Kalikasan (KMK) and Samahan ng mga Mamalakaya ng Papaya (SAMAPA).

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On the marine reserves on Pico de Loro and especially Etayo Cove, fi shing is now regulated, limited only to acceptable methods — hook and line and small nets — and allowing, at most, only two fi shing boats per 10 hectares. Beneath the waters, the reefs in what’s been identify as a premier diving spot on Hamilo Coast, is slowly coming back to life. Yet in the bizarre way of nature, there remains an unlikely deterrent: an avaricious inverterbrate predator, the Crown-of-Thorns Seastar (COTS).

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Photo and Article Source: Mabuhay Magazine (PAL)