Illegal fishing ruins Danajon Reef

CEBU, Philippines - The Danajon Double Barrier Reef, one of the six double barrier reefs in the world and the only in the Philippines, is now 77 percent degraded due to illegal fishing.

Atty. Rose-Liza Eisma-Osorio, executive director of Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation, Inc. in a press conference, said they are hoping that all stakeholders will work for the conscious and continuous protection of the reef as the concerned policy makers forge agreements and commitment to improve its governance by addressing the current issues.

Efforts are now underway to save the reef which stretches to 16 municipalities, three cities and four provinces including Cebu.

Several mayors especially from the province of Bohol, attended the three-day “First Danajon Bank Summit” that kicked-off last January 18 at Marco Polo Hotel in Cebu City. 

Tubigon Mayor William Hao of Bohol said that illegal fishing in his town was stopped as they are vigorous in apprehending illegal fishing that has been rampant prior to his stint as town mayor in 2010.

“It needs political will to stop illegal fishing. I hope other municipalities will do the same,” said Jao.

Trinidad Mayor Robert Cajes said illegal construction of fish cages and the illegal cutting of mangroves contributed to the destruction of the reef.

Jao added that around 100 fishermen were apprehended since 2010 and several illegal fishing gears were already confiscated.

The reef has an overall area of 272 square kilometers with an aggregate coastline of 699 kilometers including 40 islands. It is situated off the coast of Northern Bohol, extending from the mid-Cebu islands to the shores of Southern Leyte.  

The Danajon Bank makes up over 1% of the total area of coral reefs in the Philippines (estimated at 27,000 square kilometers).

It is believed that the reefs were formed over the last 6,000 years.

The reef inherits a vast biodiversity and serves as home to many endangered species including over 200 species of corals, large population of seahorses, whale and marine cetaceans and coastal birds, among others.

It is considered a critical resource area for the Visayas fisheries, with over 28,000 fishermen depending mostly on reef-associated marine products.

Rizaller Amolo, CCEF-Danajon Bank project manager said that over fishing, population pressure and serious degradation of habitats in the reef system have been a serious threat to food security, conservation and economic growth in the area.

CCEF, a recognized leader in Coastal Resource Management, with the collaborative effort and support of the United States Agency for International Devlopment, is currently implementing the Danajon Marine Park Project to promote the collective, determined and sustainable management of the reef. — (FREEMAN)