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Basic Project INFO

FOCAL AREA:
Biodiversity
PROJECT TITLE:
Biodiversity Conservation and Management of the Bohol Islands Marine Triangle
PROJECT NUMBER:
COUNTRY:
PROJECT STATUS:
(Completed: April 2002-December 2006)
PROJECT DOWNLOAD (WORD)

Biodiversity Conservation and Management of the Bohol Islands Marine Triangle

Facts and figures

The Philippines’ 18,000 km coastline includes approximately 27,000 km of coral reefs and lies at the global center of tropical marine biodiversity. Although not all species have yet been recorded, there are at least 1,180 reef-associated fish species in Philippine waters and around 480 species of hard coral. A recent (2004-2005) expedition by the international Panglao Marine Biodiversity project - the most comprehensive survey of tropical deep-sea invertebrates– discovered between 150-250 new species of crustaceans and 1,500-2,500 new molluscs.

With a total land area of 411,726 hectares, Bohol is the tenth largest Philippine island and lies in the Central Visayas region at the center of the Philippine archipelago. The Bohol Marine Triangle (BMT) spans over 1,120 square kilometers and includes the islands of Panglao, Pamilacan, Balicasag and Bohol. Around 54,000 people live in the region’s municipalities with another 22,000 in 12 coastal barangays.

The sea environment of the BMT ranges from 32 to 57 meters deep and provides migratory routes as well as a habitat for whales and dolphins and a variety of other marine life. Eleven of the 22 known species of marine mammals in the Philippines have been reported in the area. Three out of the world’s eight species of sea turtles as well as rare and/or endangered species of pelagic fishes such as whale sharks, devil manta and stingrays. Many species of seahorses and giant clams are found in the BMT which is also known for its wide variety of seashells and its migratory birds.

The BMT contains extensive coral reef habitats in conditions ranging from good (reefs with 50% live hard coral cover) to excellent. Coral diversity is high and estimates of fish species richness in the area vary from 15 to 46 species per 500 square meters of coral reef, with up to 5000 individual fish within the same area.

Unfortunately, the rich ecosystems and natural productivity of the BMT are under threat from a variety of sources. Immediate threats stem from habitat destruction, often caused by destructive and illegal fishing methods such as dynamite and cyanide fishing; damage to coral reefs from tourism activities; sand mining; mangrove destruction; unsustainable fishing and shell collection; as well as pollution from domestic sewage and solid waste.

While fishing and farming are the traditional livelihoods in the area, tourism is rapidly growing. Tourist arrivals increased by an average of 35% per year between 2000 and 2003. Some 15,000 scuba divers visit Panglao and the nearby islands every year, drawn by 18 established dive sites in the area.

Tourists are also attracted by Bohol’s pristine white-sand beaches and the Chocolate Hills, an unusual geological formation and the region’s most famous attraction. Other tourism assets include centuries-old churches and towers, majestic falls and caves and historical landmarks as well as primitive and exotic fauna and flora.

Recognizing the area’s potential, tourist entrepreneurs have set up hotels and restaurants, beach resorts, dive shops, transport and sight-seeing operations, and souvenir services. The Philippine government has proclaimed the island of Panglao as a tourism zone and in 2002, a Presidential Proclamation reserved several barangays in the municipalities of Dauis and Panglao for tourism development, to be known as the Panglao Island Tourism Estate.

Project description

This project, is designed to ensure that the options and existence values embodied in the globally significant BMT are conserved. It addresses the priorities of the Philippine National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBSAP), the Philippine Marine Policy, and complements existing and completed Philippine coastal resources management projects. The project’s overall objective is to enable conservation of the BMT’s biodiversity resources through more effective, equitable and sustainable planning, implementation, monitoring and enforcement of biodiversity conservation efforts. The project is guided by an Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) planning process to strengthen government and community institutions. The project also works with communities to assist them to establish effective Marine Protected Areas and to implement a sustainable harvest scheme for all coastal resources. Integration of tourism is also a key strategy.

SELECTED PROJECT ACTIVITIES/RESULTS

The physical structure of MPAs has been rehabilitated according to a plan drawn up in 2002. Tree planting has taken place in Pamilacan Island and other areas; there has been an increase of 100 ha in mangrove area; and additional tree planting and mangrove rehabilitation drives have been undertaken during environmental related events and activities.
A recent presidential Executive Order mandates the adoption of integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) as a strategy to ensure the country’s coastal and marine environment and resources. The order also supports mechanisms for ICZM implementation by government agencies as well as by LGUs at provincial and municipal levels
A 2004 resource inventory reported that there had been an increase of hard coral cover from 0.60 to 5.20%; an increase in live coral ranging from 1-8%; an increase in benthic categories inside and outside MPAs and confirmed the presence of rare fish/mammals in rehabilitated and recovering habitats. Findings from the study were translated into communication strategies to promote appreciation of BMT resources.
Silliman University Marine Laboratory (SUML) worked with the project to carry out baseline data gathering and train local residents in monitoring techniques for seagrasses, seaweeds, invertebrates, corals and reef fishes within and around the sanctuaries. The project has shared its working and findings so that the study could be replicated by a neighboring site at Maribojoc Bay and by a more distant site at Mindanao in the Dinagat Sea.
12 MPAs have been legalized by resolutions and ordinances and two further MPAs (Catarman –20 ha and Biking – 25ha) have been added as expansion sites. The 14 MPAs in the project sites now total 600 ha. 14 MPA Management Teams have been established and strengthened through capacity building and training and MPA management plans have been formulated.
Coastal Resource Management (CRM) plans have been formulated by 31 barangays and incorporated into the three municipal CRM Plans and the BMT Management Plan. The 10-year BMT Management plan was crafted by BMT stakeholders and represents their vision to sustaining the ecological functioning of coastal and marine resources.
A Technical Working Group composed of heads of offices of different BMT municipalities was formed to provide management, planning and advisory services.
PADAYON – the BMT Management Board – was established through in Dec. 2002 to facilitate cooperation between local government units (LGUs). In 2004, its authority was strengthened by an Executive Order by the Provincial Governor. PADAYON now functions as a policy recommending body for BMT municipalities, and has formed a secretariat composed of LGU hired and funded staff.
The BMT project was a founder member of a new network launched by UNDP-GEF in January to support its coral reef projects. The objective of the SHARK network (SHAring Reef Knowledge) is to bring coral reef conservation projects together to create a unique forum which will enable new projects to efficiently replicate best practice and conditions for success, improve cost-effective impact, and avoid pitfalls.
When local communities became mistrustful of a shell-collecting expedition organized by a foreign museum the project was able to intervene, secure consultation and increased transparency between all involved parties.
A study on BMT Economic Valuation conducted was a landmark for the province of Bohol and will be published in the Coastal Management Journal. The study served as basis and reference in other planning processes such as user fees.

Awareness activities and training

The project undertook intensive education and awareness building activities to secure active involvement and support by the different sectors within and outside the project sites. It published or produced brochures, leaflets, curriculum materials for schools and youth training, as well as a project newsletter “Pyesta sa Dagat“.
Local communities have gained an increased awareness of ecology and conservation, are actively supporting or are involved with the management of protected areas. For example, the Badjaos, who have been marginalized by legislation outlawing their destructive fishing equipment and methods, have been assisted in gaining representation on the BMT Management Council and now participate actively and harmoniously with the project.
Training activities have been conducted for different target groups. The private sector has been trained in biodiversity conservation and management; decision makers have been trained in effective communication strategies; environmental management education and awareness has been provided to the legislative bodies; and the project’s legal arm has conducted intensified training for fish wardens and the surveillance patrols.
Community organizations have been provided with training in areas such as financial management and leadership so that they could represent their sector in the BMT Management Council and other government processes.
Capability has also been built through training in fora, the Fisheries Code, paralegal (basic and advanced), and patrolling operations. Alternative livelihood training has been conducted and demonstration programs organized.
On-site learning and study tours were provided for stakeholders to achieve increased awareness, informed decision and behavioral change. The project’s tours have been chosen as a ‘best practice’ for educating communities in environmental awareness and protection.
A side benefit of the project’s education and awareness activities has been gearing up towards good practices on climate change.

Legal

Following a ‘willingness-to-pay’ survey conducted with scuba divers and tourists plans have been made for a user-fee scheme under which every scuba diver will be charged, and boats that indiscriminately damage will be fined. Revenue from the scheme will be used to fund fish wardens and support the communities involved in the project.
An inventory was made of existing environmental policies, resolutions and ordinances for the BMT municipalities. The project facilitated inter-municipality dialogues aimed at harmonization of legislation and ordinances.
Sanctuaries and MPAs are regularly patrolled by foot and by boats. Private groups and diving organizations also assist in patrolling and the project’s task force works in close coordination with the Province’s Enforcement Team (CLEC). Patrol boats and accessories such as communication equipment and GPS facilities have been provided to support law enforcement.
Fish wardens have been effective in deterring illegal fishing. In September 2006 three separate groups of fishermen were arrested by patrol boats with fish wardens on board and charged with using illegal gear including powerful underwater ‘shiners’ to attract fish. Fish warden’s positions have been institutionalized to ensure government budget allocation.
Sand mining activities and other illegal activities were reduced after new polices based on barangay-level CRM plans were introduced.

Ecotourism

Bohol has become a prime tourist destination and BMT sites are important attraction in tourism packages. Ecotourism has become a “uniting” instrument in conflicts over resource use among MPA management teams and the private sector.
The Ecotourism Assembly – a tripartite/trisector partnership (local government, MPA Management Teams and private sector) was established to sustain the implementation of ecotourism plans. The project has been able to leverage additional resources (funding and technical assistance) for ecotourism from local USAID-funded projects with complementary aims and strategies.
A participatory and community-based BMT wide eco-tourism appraisal and planning exercise has been undertaken to identify potential eco-tourism destinations and products. Handicrafts were identified for development and marketing.
In collaboration with SCOTIA (Sustainable Coastal Tourism in Asia), the project worked to educate tourism resort owners in waste management which resulted in a reduction of untreated waste.

Partners, etc

The project was designed and executed by the NGO, the Foundation for Philippine Environment (FPE), in partnership with the Bohol Alliance of NGOs (BANGON). Stillman University Marine Laboratory, Philippines assisted in collecting scientific data. Other key stakeholders are Bohol Province and the Local Government Units (LGU) of Dauis, Panglao, Baclayon and Tagbilaran City.

Dedicated project website: No

Newsletter: Pyesta sa Dagat

This page updated June 19, 2008

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