Philippine Milestones on Coastal Marine Management

2010 Gl b l C f

Philippine Milestones onCoastal and Marine Coastal and Marine Global Conference on

Oceans, Coasts, and Islands3-7 May 2010

Coastal and Marine Coastal and Marine Biodiversity ManagementBiodiversity ManagementBiodiversity ManagementBiodiversity ManagementMs. Teresita Samson CastilloVice-Minister, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Philippinesp pp

Outline of Presentation1. Marine Biodiversity in the Philippines

2 M j Th t t C t l & M i2. Major Threats to Coastal & Marine Biodiversity in the Philippines

3. Coastal & Marine Resources: Status & Trends

4. Managing the Threats

5. Issues and Gaps (Challenges)p ( g )

6. Future Plans/Recommendations

M i Bi di it i thM i Bi di it i th Phili iPhili iMarine Biodiversity in the Marine Biodiversity in the PhilippinesPhilippines

The Philippines being situated at theThe Philippines, being situated at the apex of the coral triangle, is considered

to be the richest marine eco-region in th ldthe world.

NASA Blue Marble

M i Bi di it i thM i Bi di it i thMarine Biodiversity in the Marine Biodiversity in the PhilippinesPhilippinespppp

Coastal and marine ecosystemsy• Beaches• mangrove forestsmangrove forests

• coral reefs• seagrass beds• seagrass beds• soft‐bottom communities (especially estuaries)

• open marine waters and small islands• open marine waters and small islands

Major Threats to Coastal and Major Threats to Coastal and M B d hM B d hMarine Biodiversity in the Marine Biodiversity in the

PhilippinesPhilippinesPhilippinesPhilippines

Coastal and Marine Resources of the PhilippinesCoastal and Marine Resources of the Philippines

Major Threats to Marine BiodiversityMajor Threats to Marine Biodiversity

1. Human‐induced and direct stresses on species and ecosystem biodiversityand ecosystem biodiversity

• Overexploitation through unsustainable fishing

• Use of destructive fishing methods

• Deforestation

• Aquarium and souvenir trade

• Expanding human settlementsp g

• Coastal pollution

• Dredging and land reclamationDredging and land reclamation

• Coastal development

Coastal and Marine Resources of the PhilippinesCoastal and Marine Resources of the Philippines

Major Threats to Marine Biodiversity

2. Climate change

Major Threats to Marine Biodiversity

• Coral bleaching

S idifi ti d• Sea acidification and sea level rise—can cause severe impactscause severe impacts on marine biodiversity

Coastal and Marine Coastal and Marine R /E hR /E hResources/Ecosystem in the Resources/Ecosystem in the

Philippines:Philippines:Philippines:Philippines:Status and TrendsStatus and Trends

STATUS OF PHILIPPINE COASTAL AND MARINE STATUS OF PHILIPPINE COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCE/ECOSYSTEMRESOURCE/ECOSYSTEM

Status of Coral Reefs (as of 2009):f )ｷ 468 species

scleractinian corals;

ｷ 50+ species soft corals;

ｷ 25,000 km2 estimated cover, with most diverse and most extensive in the southern and centralsouthern and central parts of the country;


Status of Coral Reefs:ｷ Coral reefs contribute up to 70% of thetotal fishery production; and

ｷ Small fishers who comprise about 62% of the population living along coastal areasthe population living along coastal areas are directly dependent on reefs for their livelihood


Issues on Coral Reefs:

ｷ Philippines is considered to be oneof the highly threatened reef areasin the world

ｷ Philippine reefs may be in a steady state of decline (from 5% to 3% to >1%)

ｷWidespread coral bleaching;

ｷ Invasive species and Crown ofThorns starfish infestations

Excellent coral cover condition with several colonies of theExcellent coral cover condition with several colonies of the branching coral Acropora formosa (upper right) with foliose coral Montipora foliosa


Status of Seagrasses:ｷ The Philippines has the

second highest seagrass di it i th lddiversity in the world;

ｷ It contributes about 19 species or about 55% of thespecies or about 55% of the number of species in East Asia;

ｷ Seagrasses in the Philippines are now distributed over an

b 27 282area about 27,282 sq. m.


Issues on Seagrasses: ｷ decline in coastal water quality ;ｷ decline in coastal water quality ;

ｷ degradation of environment and gresources; and

ｷｷ human‐induced disturbances.


Status of Fisheries:ｷ Pelagic fish production contributed

70% of the country’s total marine capture fisheries;

ｷ Fisheries production shows continuing upward trend, with significant contribution of thesignificant contribution of the aquaculture and mariculture sectors, particularly seaweeds.

ｷ Recent data on exploitation rates of selected fish species (n= 129 spp.) p ( pp )showed high extraction patterns


Mangroves: Status and Issuesｷ Th i i ifi tｷ There is a significant decline in mangrove forest cover due to thecover due to the conversion of mangrove forests to fishponds;

ｷ Mangrove forest areas were issued with Fishpond Leasing Agreements inLeasing Agreements in 1973‐2002, causing a significant damage to the g gecosystem.


Other Marine Resources: Statusｷ 5 species of Marine Turtles are foundｷ 5 species of Marine Turtles are foundin the Philippines;

ｷ 1755 reef‐associated fish speciesｷ 168 species of cartilaginous fishes ;ｷ 820 species of algae;

STATUS OF PHILIPPINE COASTAL AND STATUS OF PHILIPPINE COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCE/ECOSYSTEMMARINE RESOURCE/ECOSYSTEM

Other Marine Resources: Status

ｷ 648 species of mollusks; ｷ 648 species of mollusks;

ｷ 1062species of seaweeds i l di l dincluding sea algae; and

ｷ 27 species of marine mammals have been classified as threatened species)

Phil.

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Coastal and Marine Coastal and Marine R /E hR /E hResources/Ecosystem in the Resources/Ecosystem in the

Philippines:Philippines:Philippines:Philippines:Managing the Threats Managing the Threats

Managing Threats: Coastal & Marine Resources/ Managing Threats: Coastal & Marine Resources/ E t C ti d M tE t C ti d M tEcosystem Conservation and ManagementEcosystem Conservation and Management

Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) ‐Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) ‐national strategy for the sustainable development of the country’s coastal and p f ymarine environment and resources

‐ addresses the interlinkages amongaddresses the interlinkages among associated watersheds, estuaries and wetlands, and coastal seas, and also among all relevant national and local agencies, civil society, and the private sectors

Managing Threats: Coastal & Marine Resources/ Ecosystem Managing Threats: Coastal & Marine Resources/ Ecosystem Conservation and ManagementConservation and Management

Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) –

I l A i Pl /S i h ff

Conservation and ManagementConservation and Management

Involves Action Plans/Strategies on the ff:•Habitat Management•Fisheries Management•Fisheries Management•Shoreline management•Waste Managementg•Enterprise and Livelihood Development•Sustainable Coastal Tourism •Coastal Zoning•Legal and Institutional Development•Risk/coastal hazard management•Risk/coastal hazard management

CURRENT CONSERVATION STATUS

Managing Threats: Coastal & Marine Resources/ Managing Threats: Coastal & Marine Resources/ Ecosystem Conservation and ManagementEcosystem Conservation and Management

(included in the ICM Implementation Program)

1. Mangrove management g g

282,044 ha total mangrove forest cover as of 2009. (Still subjected to ground validation)as of 2009. (Still subjected to ground validation)

Mangrove Nursery Establishment and ReforestationReforestation

Identification of areas for rehabilitation in priority municipalitiesin priority municipalities

2009 – 2,000 ha. (Upland Development Program)2010 – 7,500 ha. ( DENR GPOA)



1. Mangrove management

PAWB CMMO together with thePAWB‐CMMO, together with the other concerned bureaus/ agencies, are currently reviewing existing policies and laws concerning mangrove. Guidelines for proper and effectivefor proper and effective mangrove rehabilitation and validation are also currently being d l ddeveloped.



2. Establishment of MPAs to increase fish stocks

Mandated by Republic Act 7586Mandated by Republic Act 7586or the NIPAS Act or through R.A. 8550 (Fisheries Code) i l l divia local ordinance.

serve as an important strategyfor ICM in the Philippines

Formulation of MPA Management PlansFormulation of MPA Management Plans



2. Establishment of MPAs to increase fish stocks

1 169 existing MPAs and 164 proposed MPAs as of1,169 existing MPAs and 164 proposed MPAs as of 2007 compared to 439 existing and 139 proposed a decade ago

Occupy 0.5% of municipal waters and 2.7Occupy 0.5% of municipal waters and 2.7‐‐3.4% of coral 3.4% of coral reef area of the countryreef area of the country

MPAs: significant increase in size (48% within the range of 11 to 100 hectares)



2. Establishment of MPAs to increase fish stocks i.e. Status of Reef fishes in MPAs vs in Unprotected

AreasTubbataha Reefs (MPA)

in the 1990s – 87 tons/km2/in the 2000s – 100‐200 tons/km2

Central VisayasP t t d M i AProtected Marine Areas

1990s‐2000s – 100‐150 tons/km2

Several Unprotected Areas1990s‐2000s – 5‐15 tons/km2 (n=20)1990s‐2000s 5‐15 tons/km (n=20)



3. Conservation of coastal habitats and other marine resourcesresources

National Policy on Biological diversity is being implemented throughout the country,implemented throughout the country,

Seagrass Conservation Strategy‐‐ Philippine National Seagrass Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (NSCS) g gy ( )by Philippine National Seagrass Committee



3. Conservation of coastal habitats and other marine resources

Marine Turtles Conservation

DENR‐PAWB Pawikan Conservation Project (PCP) Developmental and foraging habitats of marine turtles areforaging habitats of marine turtles are being proposed for declaration as Critical Habitats pursuant to Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001.



4. Adaptation strategies of the coastal and marine sector to climate changesector to climate change

The UNDP‐managed joint program on Strengthening the Philippines’ Institutional Capacity to Adapt tothe Philippines’ Institutional Capacity to Adapt to Climate Change (2008‐2010)

Development of national framework strategies for climate change



4. Adaptation strategies of coastal and marine sector to climate change

Proposed full protection and management of at leastProposed full protection and management of at least 30% of the coastal and marine ecosystems to increase resilience of coastal environment against climate change

Set up marine reserve networks

Substantially reduce human‐related stressors



5. Participation in different local/ internationally‐funded project and adherence to international commitmentscommitments

ISSUES and GAPS

Coastal & Marine Resources/ Ecosystem Coastal & Marine Resources/ Ecosystem Conservation and ManagementConservation and Management

“The Philippines does however, have the most progressive programs for p blic a areness and introd ction to

Conservation and ManagementConservation and Management

programs for public awareness and introduction to participatory management for the coastal areas in the region. The Philippines has all the tools to be a model in Asia, but continuity and political will appear to be absent in the system.”

l lli ( )‐‐Flewelling (2001), (describing the monitoring, control and surveillance

(MCS) system in the Philippines

ISSUES and GAPS

Coastal & Marine Resources/ Ecosystem Coastal & Marine Resources/ Ecosystem Conservation and ManagementConservation and ManagementConservation and ManagementConservation and Management

1. Biodiversity Data Gaps

• Inadequate comprehensive data to better understand the state biodiversity of the selected coastal and marine ecosystems

2 ili i f h2. Low utilization of research output

ISSUES and GAPS


3. Need to develop a more effective3. Need to develop a more effective implementation strategy of national laws and policies affecting the species and ecosystem diversity

4. Capacity Building and Resource generation; d ti ti thieducation-awareness, conservation ethics

and perceptions

ISSUES and GAPS

Coastal & Marine Resources/ Ecosystem Coastal & Marine Resources/ Ecosystem Conservation and ManagementConservation and Management

5. Need for a more aggressive strategy to fully implement coastal laws, rules and regulations

6 k f l d b d li lih d j li i6. Lack of land‐based livelihood projects to limit extraction/utilization of marine products thereby giving chance for coastal habitats tothereby giving chance for coastal habitats to recover

ISSUES and GAPS


7. More focus on education‐awareness, conservation ethics and perceptions

Future Plans/ Future Plans/ RecommendationRecommendation

Recommendations

Harmonization of efforts, sustained management interventions and stakeholder support are keys to pp ysave the coastal ecosystem

Comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of protected area management and other policies

Integration of biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in the school curricula at all levels

Recommendations

Efficient and effective information dissemination

E l ti f i ti fi i tiExploration of innovative financing options

Reduction of coastal and marine emerging pressures through adaptive management

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Philippine Milestones on Coastal Marine Management

Education