Cebu to host coastal resource summit

CEBU, Philippines - A three-day coastal resource summit will be held in Cebu which aims to facilitate active discussion among key stakeholders of Danajon Double Barrier Reef ecosystem consisting of 19 constituent municipalities, cities and provincial governments, including Cebu.

Dubbed as the 1st Danajon Bank Summit, with the theme, “Collaborating efforts for shared resources” will kick off on January 18 to 20, 2012 at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.

Danajon Bank is home to a very valuable marine ecosystem, one of the six double barrier reefs in the world, and the only one in the Philippines.

The summit is organized by the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation, a recognized leader in Coastal Resource Management, through the collaborative efforts and support of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

The organizer hopes to achieve a strong support from all stakeholders for the protection of Danajon Bank as concerned policy makers will be forging common agreements and commitment to improve its governance by addressing current issues of overfishing, population pressure and serious degradation of marine habitats in the reef system that have caused serious threats to food security, conservation and economic growth in this critical marine eco-region.  

According to Talibon Fisheries and Coastal Resource Management Interpretive Center (FCRMIC), the Danajon Bank or Double Barrier Reef is located off the northern part of Bohol Island. The reef is spread across almost 130 kms and consists of three large reefs. 

FCRMIC added that Caubyan is the largest, covering about 143 square kilometers. There are five smaller reefs in the northern outer region and one large reef, Calitubas, in the inner region.  (FREEMAN)