Stories From the Field Recovering Reefs Make a Splash: Candelaria Marine
Sanctuary, Philippines
Author: Daisy Flores-Salgado and Toni Parras
Issues before MPA:
 Overfishing due to an increase number of fishers and coastal settlers, number and type
of gears operating in the area.
 Pollution such as:
- Effluent from fish pens and cagesThe stationary structures restrict water flow
- Solid and liquid domestic wastes disposed in the intertidal zones
- Conversion of mangrove areas into fishponds and settlement areas
Results after MPA establishment:
 the percent of hard and soft coral cover has increased to 38% inside the sanctuary and
37% outside despite years of abuse by cyanide, blasting and other destructive fishing
methods.
Factors that made the MPA a success:
 Capacity Development
 Local Participation
 Habitat Species Recovery
 Compliance/Enforcement
 Good Governance.
Assisting External Organization:
 Sentro para sa Ikauunlad ng Katutubong Agham at Teknolohiya (SIKAT)
Lessons:
 Candelaria’s MPA success story is a good model to consider in the implementation and
management in my site in the protection, conservation of marine and coastal resources
through strengthening the enforcement and management of the marine protected area
towards food security.
Citation:
Parras,T. & Salgado, D. (2005). Recovering Reefs Makes a Splash: Candelaria Marine Sanctuary.
Philippine Immanetwork.org/Site_Page.cfm?PageID=53
Fisheries Group : Dynamite Fishing Still a Threat to Davao Gulf
Author: Carlo P. Mallo
Notes:

Dynamite fishing is indeed still being practiced and remains to be a major threat to the
marine resources of Davao Gulf, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)Southern Mindanao Director George Campeon admitted.

In an interview with BFAR-Southern Mindanao Director George Campeon, he said that
under the local government code, the jurisdiction over the protection of the municipal
waters is with the respective municipalities.
Recommendations:

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Equip the local government units with the capacity to fight off dynamite fishing
Capacitate the local officials as deputized fish warden.
Delineation of municipal water boundaries.
Lessons:

Municipal water boundaries is very significant in the establishment of Marine Protected
Area especially that the 15 kilometers from the shoreline is the jurisdiction of the
respective LGU is not application to my Pride Campaign Site since it is just 4-5 km distance
to Davao City.
Citation:
Mallo,P.(2006)ww.sunstar.com.ph/.../fisheries.group.dynamite.fishing.still.a.threat.to.g
ulf.html
Coral degradation through destructive fishing practices
Published: August 24, 2008
Edited: September 20, 2010
Lead Author: Kate McClellan
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor: John Bruno
Notes:


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


Destructive fishing methods are unsustainable ways to fish. These practices often result in the loss
of edible reef fish, reduction of species diversity and richness, alteration in the size structure of
target species, and cause cascading effects on other reef fish with changes in species composition,
biomass and density.
Cyanide fishing is a method used to stun reef fish in order to collect them, which causes damage to
the surrounding coral reefs.
Since the 1980s, cyanide fishing has been conducted on a much larger scale to provide live reef fish
to restaurants in Hong Kong, Singapore, and mainland China. It is estimated that 4000 or more
Filipino fish collectors have used over 1 million kilograms of cyanide on Philippine reefs alone,
about 150,000 kg per year.
The detrimental results of blast fishing include: loss of coral cover, diminished ability of corals to
regrow, and the local extinction of coral species. Topographic complexity of the substrate is lost,
causing coral recruitment to decline and reducing fish habitat and reef function.
Muroami netting is a dangerous fishing practice that has led to extensive coral reef deterioration in
Southeast Asia. The practice was banned in the Philippines in the 1980s, but continues illegally in
some places.
Normal fishing gear has destructive effects on corals around the world through direct physical
damage to the reef structure and substratum. Gill nets, fish traps, and anchors break branching
coral and cause coral death through entanglement.
Recommendations from the author:


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Enforcement needs to be increased as well as local awareness of the detrimental effects and
education efforts on alternative fishing methods
System of new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and better management of existing MPAs. Having
MPAs allows enforcement agents to patrol the area for illegal fishing practices and could create
“no-take” zones to ban all fishing. Correctly managed fishing and tourism inside an MPA can
provide real economic benefits.
Countries need to cooperate to regulate the import and export of fish to identify and allow only
those that are caught sustainably
Countries can adopt and enforce the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Code of
Conduct for Responsible Fisheries

Cooperation between governments, non-governmental organizations, and industries to support
sustainable fishing practices.
Citation:
K McClellan - 2008 - Related articles Aug 24, 2008 ... Fishing problems: Destructive fishing practices.
White, A.T., H.P. Vogt, and T. Arin. 2000. Philippine coral reefs under threat: the ...www.eoearth.org/...
/Coral_degradation_through_destructive_fishing_practices -
Submitted by:
Name of CM : Lludeza Mellomeda-Quesada
PEP 2 Cohort
Assignment #1 - Module 1, Unit 2, Session 3: Identifying Secondary Research