At Apo Island, Negros Oriental: Reef check: 99% marine cover gone

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The recent reef check around Apo Island in Negros Oriental, under the Ocean Defenders program, has found out that 99 percent of the marine cover in the northeast part of the island is gone.

Greenpeace's M/Y Esperanza ship captain Waldemar Wichman said there is now a crisis that needs to be addressed the soonest time otherwise, at the rate the damage is going on now, the country's fishery sector will collapse. "The immediate solution is to create another marine reserve for sustainable development," he said.

"There is still hope, but every planning and every session has to be long term so we need to address things urgently especially in the Philippines now that the fishery sector is in crisis. We have to act now, we cannot afford to act later," said Wichman.

Wichman and other members of the Ocean Defenders program, is now eyeing an audience with President Benigno Aquino III and other government officials to lobby for changes in certain policies to make better practices, especially in the fishery sector.

"Climate change is not only the problem but also on how the Philippines uses its resources," said Wichman, as he noted abuses in managing marine resources and fishing with destructive types of fishing gears, among others.

To further understand this concern, Wichman said, "We need to change our habits and practices in order to preserve the resources for future generations to come."

The Esperanza is now back in the Philippines to work together with other environment groups and come up with better management of the country's natural resources, he said. It is now docked at the Dumaguete port after assisting in the reef check to determine the condition of the marine sanctuary in Apo island that was battered before by typhoons Sendong and Pablo.

Mark Dia, regional oceans campaign manager of Greenpeace-Southeast Asia, confirmed the destruction at the eastern and northern side of Apo Island due to big waves caused by the typhoons. He however said the western side is still intact, and recommendations were made to create another marine reserve at the northwest part as a recovery site or spawning areas of fishes.

Dia clarified that the main point of intervention now is with the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) and the government in cooperation with the local community.

Doctor Janet Estacion, of Silliman University's Institute on Environmental and Marine Studies, for her part explained that the typical pathways of storms have been diverted the past two years. Everything is no longer normal because even by November, the typhoon season does not end due to climate change.

Even fisherfolks and farmers themselves are now worried because they themselves can no longer predict when the habagat or the amihan occurs, said Estacion, adding that the changing pattern of the fishery sector is a manifestation of climate change. She urged the media to help in promoting practices to protect the environment.

Esperanza's only Filipino crewmember, Frederick Ventura Bangad who hails from Nueva Vizcaya, said the Philippines is surrounded by oceans and that the fishing industry, as a livelihood, is keeping us alive, thus, the need to protect and preserve our marine resources. (FREEMAN)