Philippines Marine Conservation
Multiple Challenges for Local Management of Marine Protected Areas
The Philippines, a collection of seven thousand islands, has every reason to try to develop its Marine Protected Areas. But once an MPA is designated, the day-to-day responsibility for maintaining it falls to local communities in some areas. And support, both financial and otherwise, often falls short, especially in the early stages of development.
Community-Based Marine Protected Areas
The idea of setting up Community Based Marine Protected Areas (CB-MPAs) is a good one. Giving local communities in the Philippines responsibility for controlling a sustainable fishery and conserving biodiversity is more likely to be successful than top-down government management. But finding support for their work has proven to be a challenge.
In addition to needing help in developing monitoring, educational and research programs which are needed to ensure that the marine protected areas are improving and that biodiversity is being protected, the local communities need assistance until the MPA has reached financial sustainability.
Haribon Foundation for Conservation of Natural Resources
The Haribon Foundation, dedicated to protecting the biodiversity of the Philippines, has been instrumental in establishing and helping support these Community Based Marine Protected Areas. Once the catalyst organization-a government, non-government organization such as Project Seahorse or academic facility-has done its part to aid in the establishment of an MPA, full management responsibility is turned over to the community based group.
In surveying various Philippine CB-MPAs, Haribon determined that these groups often struggled with limited financial support for on-going projects, minimal government support and lack of fisheries law enforcement. Financial constraints meant that CB-MPAs had difficulty developing and maintaining appropriate facilities for their ongoing work.
National Alliance of Community-Based Marine Protected Areas
This alliance, established in 1999, has grown to over 100 member sites. The advantages of a combined approach to Philippine Marine Protected Area management in activities such as fisheries law enforcement, patrolling and training of staff are obvious. As a result of these meetings more CB-MPAs are taking steps to become more independent.
Outstanding Marine Protected Areas Named
To launch the International Year of the Reef in 2008, the Philippines honored their three most outstanding Marine Protected Areas. These awards were given by the Marine Protected Areas Support Network, which is a network of government and NGOs working together on MPA issues.
The First Place winner, Handumon/Liboan Marine Sanctuary, now has a thriving population of seahorses, recreational diving opportunities and a healthy fishery. Sagay Marine Reserve took Second Place, having doubled its fish catch using sustainable management. The final award went to Twin Rocks Fish Sanctuary whose endangered sea turtles, dolphins and stingrays draw divers from around the world. Fees from diving now support the local people.
There is often plenty of support for the establishment of Marine Protected Areas, but the experience in the Philippines has shown that ongoing assistance is needed until these areas are able to be truly self-sustaining. It has also shown the value of Community-Based MPAs.
