A Report on the Experiences in Marine Protection and Conservation

(Apo Island: September 19-20,2016)

Biology 110 (Seminar Conservation Biology and Resource Management)
Rochecar G. Pyponco

INTRODUCTION

The Apo Island Protected Landscape/Seascape (9°4ʹN, 123°17ʹE) is a small volcanic island

located in the 13,700-km2 Bohol Strait and Bohol (formerly Mindanao) Sea. The reserve is

connected to the Pacific Ocean on the northeast and to the Sulu Sea in the southwest (Alcala,

2001). Apo Island is about 25 kilometers of south of Dumaguete, the capital of Negros Oriental

(Cadiz &Calumpong, 2000). Politically, the island is under the jurisdiction of Dauin., which is the

nearest town on the island of Negros. Apo is 70 hectares, rising 200m above sea level and is

surrounded by a fringing reef area of 1.06 km2 to the 60-m isobath. It can be reached in 30-45

minutes by a motorized boat from Malatapay. Fishing is the main and traditional source of income

of the 700 permanent inhabitants of the island (Abesamis, et al., 2006), although tourism has also

helped the community earn in the recent years.

Known as one of the best examples of community-managed marine reserve, Apo Island

has been studied from 1980 to the present. It has also been recognized as one of the oldest protected

marine reserves in the Philippines.

The first study on fish yield on the island was done by Alcala and Luchavez in 1980. It was

also in the same year that the Marine Laboratory began to set up a no-take marine reserve on the

island. Despite some objections, in 1982, the Apo Island community agreed to set aside 10% of

the total reef area of 106 hectares as no-take marine fish sanctuary (Russ & Alcala, 1999). In 1984,

through the grant of The Asia Foundation, the Marine Conservation Development Committee

(MCDP) was formed to make the community’s commitment to conservation stronger and to build

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their capacity in managing the reserve. The efforts of the community and community organizers

continued through the years and it was only in November 3, 1986 that a municipal ordinance was

submitted for the legal basis of protection (Alcala, 2001).

Finally, in August 9, 1994, it was declared a NIPAS area under Presidential Proclamation

No. 438, making the whole island as Protected Seascape and Landscape. The island is now

managed by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) through its Protected Area

Superintendent (PASU) of DENR, with members from the local government units, academe, and

the local communities represented in their different organizations (Cadiz & Calumpong, 2000;

Apo Island Brochure). Under NIPAS, protected areas of land and/or water are “set aside because

of their unique physical and biological significance.” This is done so biological diversity will be

enhanced, conserved and protected against destructive human activities. “Protected

landscapes/seascapes are areas of national significance which are characterized by the harmonious

interaction of man and land while providing opportunities for public enjoyment through recreation

and tourism within the normal lifestyle and economic activity of these areas” (DAO No. 2008 –

26, DENR).

Figure 1. Apo Island, September 2016. Photo by Julius Canja

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 OBSERVATIONS

Upon arrival to the island, registration through the DENR Office is required so the number

and identity of visitors can be monitored. Community organizations were also active in welcoming

visitors. Known local tourism operators are Aiserga and Dive Rangers which assist and guide the

visitors and offer rentals of equipment needed in snorkeling and diving activities. While these two

community organizations cater tourists/visitors, other two groups, the Bantay-Dagat and the

Bantay-Lasang are more involved in monitoring the status of the island surroundings to report any

unusual activities to DENR office (DENR personnel, personal interview) as it is the management

which regulates all the activities in the island. Since Apo Island is a known diving spot, diving

operations were observed during the visit. There were also tarpaulins with guidelines on snorkeling

and rules to protect the marine environment and animals one may encounter during snorkeling and

diving activities. These community organizations are marked evidences that the community is

taking part in the conservation initiatives.

Figure 2. Registration of visitors at the PAMB office of Apo Island.

Photo by Jean Henri Oracion.
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 Figure 3. Visitors were welcomed by a member of a community organization.
Other community organizations can also be seen behind. Photo by J. H Oracion

Figure 4. A group of five students having a local guide while snorkeling. Photo
by J.H Oracion.

During the time of visit, it was also observed that there were reef areas closed because these

areas had been greatly damaged by typhoons last 2011 and 2012. The locals are also careful in

making the place clean, some would pick up the trash since they are aware of the effects of trash

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when carried by waves from the shore, especially plastic wastes, according to an interviewed local.

Although they are aware of the importance of proper waste disposal, there were minimal garbage

cans in the area where visitors would usually stay.

Figure 5. Shoreline of Apo Island. Photo by Ariana Melgar.

In the present, the PAMB is the one catering the needs of the island such as electricity,

water supply and medicine to adopt user-free system. As observed, purified drinking water was

transported from the mainland. Aside from catering the island’s social needs, the management also

provides livelihood activities for locals, and promote and regulate research and tourism (Apo

Island Brochure).

In conservation and management of the floral component, vegetation in the island was

surveyed using quadrats. Three quadrats (approximately 10x10 meters), percent on ground cover

was estimated and trees were identified using transect method.

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First Site: Around the Ronor’s Lodging House. Settlements and a school are present in this

area. Soil type is sand and trees are minimal.

Figure 6. View from Ronor’s lodging house. Photo by Kriztein Lydnel

Sumondong.

Second Site: Along the Shoreline. Infrastructures can be observed in this area. It is where resorts

and other buildings were built for tourism business. Coral rubbles and sand make up most of the

ground.

Figure 7. Site 2. Shoreline where establishment related to tourism were built. Photo
by Julius Canja.

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Third Site: Near the Lighthouse. An abandoned building and an old lighthouse are the

infrastructures present in this area. It is mainly used as a grazing area for animals like cattle and

goats because of its abundant grass cover.

Figure 8. Site 3. Area near the lighthouse. Photo by Julius Canja.

SYNTHESIS/ANALYSIS

Ecotourism refers to “a form of sustainable tourism within a natural and cultural heritage”

where the participation of the community and protection of the natural resources are parallel with

each other. Ecotourism also cultivates indigenous knowledge and traditional practices,

environmental education, and social and economic status of the area to enrich host communities

and satisfy visitors (DAO 2013-19, DENR). This is evident in Apo Island as other neighboring

islands and municipalities also benefited from the spillover of fish stock from the marine reserve

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(Abesamis et al., 2006). Its condition could not be possible without the effective collaboration of

the community and local government in managing the protected area.

Tourism in Apo Island came after the long-term protection done by the community for

excellent coral reef and abundant fish stock (Cadiz & Calumpong, 2000). For the past years,

conservation and tourism sustained the island which benefited not only biodiversity but also the

people.

However, recent natural disturbances such as the 2011 typhoon Sendong and the 2012

typhoon Pablo have caused destruction to the coral reef in this marine reserve. According to a

survey done by Greenpeace, Silliman University, and the Coastal Conservation Education

Foundation, 98% to 99% of the reef has been damaged due to the recent typhoon surges

(Greenpeace, 2013; Dinglasan, 2013). It is already known that marine protected areas require

decades to recover (Russ & Alcala, 2004).

Because of these reasons, pressure on the island’s tourism may be of critical concern.

Continued rise in the number of visitors may affect the recovering reef structure and therefore the

fish stock in the marine reserve. Today, it might be of more advantage that the tourism business in

Apo Island be regulated so reef damage will not worsen and sustainable development should be

given more priority to prevent wildlife disturbance and reef/environmental degradation.

Results for the flora survey are shown in the following section. Table 1 shows a list of trees

that were seen present in three transects while Figures 9, 10, and 11 show the ground cover of three

quadrats.

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 In site 1, the tree species present are Talisay (Terminalia catappa), mango (Mangifera

indica), coconut (Cocos nucifera), banana (Musa sp.) and binunga (Macaranga tanarius). Among

the three transects, this site has the highest number of tree species, mostly having edible fruits.

Talisay is a medium to large tree that is widely-planted throughout the tropics (Anand et al., 2015).

It is usually grown for its ornamental purposes since its leaves are broad making its crown a very

good shade. Binunga is another tree present in this area which also serves as shade and gives good

firewood to the locals. Mango, banana, and coconut trees are known for their edible fruits

especially in the tropics. In Apo Island, these trees are abundant in site 1 as described earlier to

have settlements, where most of the locals reside. In site 2 which is along the shoreline, talisay,

coconut and banana were present while site 3 has talisay, binunga, ipil-ipil and gmelina.

For the ground cover, grass, shrub, vines, and ferns were given estimated values as to its

covered area in each quadrat. In quadrat 1, space or vacant area consisted 75% and grass is 25%.

This is due to the houses built here. In quadrat 2, shrub covered 30%, vines covered 30%, shrubs

covered 25% and 15 % is a vacant area. Finally, in quadrat 3, 80% was estimated to be covered

with grass, 10% shrub and 10% vines. Site 3 is an area where locals would graze their livestock.

Common name Scientific name 1 2 3

Talisay Terminalia catappa + + +
Mango Mangifera indica + - -
Coconut Cocos nucifera + + -
Banana Musa sp. + + -
Binunga Macaranga tanarius + - +
Ipil-ipil Leucaena glauca - - +
Gmilina Gmelina arborea - - +

Table 1. List of trees present in the transects.

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 Figure 9. Ground cover in quadrat 1.

Figure 10. Ground cover in quadrat 2.

Figure 11. Ground cover in quadrat 3.

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 RECOMMENDATIONS

Although tourism has helped the locals earn and improve their living standard, it should

not be forgotten that the reserve should be well taken care of or its biodiversity will continually

degenerate. Regulating and monitoring the number of visitors can help minimize disturbances in

the area, especially the reef structure, as it is still recovering from the devastation that the recent

typhoon had caused. The results of tourism monitoring can also be used by PAMB for their

management plans to address problem on reef and fish stock recovery. During the visit, problems

on waste disposal was also observed. There are also minimal trees present in the island, with shrubs

dominating the vegetation. Developing a plan on waste management and reforestation is also

another helpful action. As mentioned earlier, the traditional and main income source of the

inhabitants is fishing. This means that there is pressure on the marine resources. Helping the locals

have other livelihood alternatives that can be done on land may also be helpful to lessen the

demand on marine resources. This option should also be made sure that it will not be causing

pollution in the reserve. Educational materials on Apo which gives information on its ecology,

terrestrial and marine fauna and flora, and its conservation issues can also be sold by women

organizations in the community. Most importantly, the collaboration of the community and the

management should be strengthened continually as they should be working hand in hand to achieve

the balance between tourism and biodiversity.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my gratitude to Sir Michael Lawton Alcala for his patience and
support in supervising our class; to my classmates, Kriztein Lydnel Sumondong, Esteven Theodore
Nacar, and Jean Henri Oracion, who were very participative in gathering data and willingly shared
their photos; to Labordia Ormig and Rachelle Dameles of Apo Island who participated during the
interview; and to Julius Canja and Ariana Melgar who willingly shared their photos for this paper.

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 REFERENCES

Abesamis, R., Alcala, A., & Russ, G. (2006). How much does the fishery at Apo Island benefit
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Anand, A., Divya, N., & Kotti, P. (2015). An updated review of Terminalia catappa. Phcog Rev
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