P H I L I P P I N E S
MALAYSIA
LUZON
CEB
U
Sumilon I.
GroupCalamian
MINDANAO
Sulu
Arc
hip
elag
o
DanajonBank
Pescador I. BOHOL
Siquijor I.
Malapascua I.
SAMAR
PANAY
BORNEO
MIN
DOR
O
LEY
TE
PAL
AWA
N NEGROS Oslob
Dauin
Anilao
Manila
TubbataReefhas
Natural Park
LanAdpscao Island Protectedpe and Seascape
Tañon ProtecteStraitd
Seascape
PhiliMarine ppine RiseResource
Reserve
BLanatanes Protectedscape and Seascaped
NaturaApo Reel Parkf
MalampaySounad
LPanrotectedscaped
Protected SeascaSarangani Bapey
TWildlife Sanctuaryurtle Islands
Siargao IslandProtected Landscapeg
and Seascape
CagayancilloCoastal
Marine Area
PACIFIC OCEAN
Celebes
Sea
Sulu
Sea
South
China
Sea
VVVerdeI
.PPassaage
Philippine
Sea
SibSueyaan
Luzon
Strait
10°N
5°
15°
20°
120° 125°E
Coral reefs
Minimal: likely stressed
Minor: low risk
Signito diseaseficant: more susceptible
Severe: coral death likely
Estimdue to heat stressated risk of coral bleachin, 2017-2021 g Selected MPAs
100 km
100 mi
PHILIPPINES
Coral
Triangle
PACIFIC
OCEAN
to benefit
eaters,” Al
research c
just north
need to be
Alcala s
prototype
was inhab
one near a
Cebu). All
The resu
biomass fo
namely gro
at least six
reserves in
through t
THERE ARE TWO WAYS to respond to a diminish-
ing resource: Ease up or double down. Filipinos
have done both. The bomb-cratered moonscape
I saw at Danajon Bank is the end result of one
approach: destructive overfishing of reef eco-
systems. But at Dauin, a municipality on Negros
island, I saw a different legacy, one of reef
protection that has eased pressure on marine
life and sustained a living for communities on
the coast.
The approach was pioneered by Angel Alcala,
a Filipino biologist who has championed the
creation of small, community-managed marine
protected areas (MPAs). Often the prime reason
for creating these sanctuaries is to preserve
biodiversity, but for Alcala the main focus is
RCOOSEMNSERVATIOARY WARDLEY AND PATRICIA HEALY, NGMN INSTITUTE; NOAA CORAL REEF W STAFF. SOURCES: GENERAL BATHYMATCH; CORAL TRIANGLE ATLAS; AAROETRIC CHART OF THN N. RICE, CORNE
SHiTREgher sea temSSED OUTperatures can
stress corals, leaving them sus-
ceptible to disease. As periods
offrequent, satellite m warmer water becomonitorine more g
is critical. Observing episodes
of heat stress can help scientists
identicorals to fy the mprioritize ost threatenedprotection.
The coral reefs around the Philippines’ islands host a
rich array of fish species. Filipinos have protected some
of this biodiversity hot spot, part of a region known
as the Coral Triangle, but they still face the challenges
of warming oceans and a population reliant on the sea
for its food and livelihood.
SHumAFE HAVENan activity is limS ited
in marine protected areas
(MPAs); this allows fish
stocover into nearbks to replenisy waters.h and spill
Most of the Philippines’
more than 1,600 MPAs are
smbutall and locally m enforcement ianas ungeed,ven.
IN HOT WATER
CHANGING COURSE
Overfishing damages reef
ecosystemcommunities ts and the hat relfy onishing
them. Efforts to promote
more sustainable liveli-
haquaculture are helpinoods in ecotourism angd
preserve coral reefs.