National Geographic - UK (2022-06)

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.