Don’t Kill the Golden Egg Laying Goose

Sabang Bay is a world-class dive site, with great visibility and masses of underwater life, making it as among the favorite destinations for tourists and diving enthusiasts in the Philippines.

Working out plans to protect our marine areas is critical to effectively address development issues on safeguarding the areas’ ecosystem qualities from the rapid growth of tourism activities in the town of Puerto Galera, while sustaining the economic benefits for the local host communities.

As diving tourism and the associated residential and commercial developments exert a considerable pressure on the ecological fabric of our town, there is absolutely a need to ensure that the water qualities in and around Puerto Galera is assured. Furthermore, every member of the local community need to understand the importance of complying with existing rules and regulation in order to protect our coral reefs, if we want to assure that also future generation can be enjoying the fruits of our environment and the income from the tourism sector that is.

Strong reliance on healthy and attractive coral reefs makes the tourism sector in Puerto Galera particularly vulnerable to the impacts of uncontrolled tourism, out of control activities on the surface or in our water bodies, but also to climate change.

According to the DENR, the designation as Water Quality Management Area (WQMA) per DENR Administrative Order 2016_06, from May 2016 will provide the DENR, local government units, communities and other stakeholders identify the water quality problems, sources of pollution and the beneficial use of Sabang Bay as one of the tools.

But of course, Administrative Orders alone, no matter from what government body, will not be effective if we choose to break or bend the rules. Compressor Diving, Fish feeding, fishing within protected areas, the use of the wrong fishing nets, the usage of anchors and dumping all kind of trash into the ocean is slightly destroying our most important source of livelihood – the ocean!

Let’s take one example, look at the Coral Garden inside the Manila Channel. As one of our favourite dive-sites, the reef and his inhabitants take a lot of “traffic” and disturbances already. It took almost forever for many dive operators to understand that the use of anchors is not only prohibited, but also very destructive. Many government and non-government organizations have been running information campaigns, municipal ordinances have been written and all seem to be fine. But it’s not!  There is still fishing going on inside the bay, especially snorkel tour operator still dropping their anchor, some of them even allow their guests to catch fish while others just peacefully snorkel around! Imagine that!

Being a dive operator myself for more than a decade in Puerto Galera, it makes me very sad to see the already deteriorating and very prominent changes among our coral reefs. It is more than time to strictly protect what we have left. Don’t be ignorant!

There is already naturally a lot of pressure on our marine environment which yet has to be properly addressed by our LGU.

Simple rules, enforced by MENRO and the Bantay Dagat (Where are you anyways?) would help to put an end to this destructive practices that seem to happen on a daily base.

 

 

But there is also a lot every single one of us can do to protect our reefs, if you think about going for a snorkeling trip, here are some tips:

 

 

GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES

SNORKELING

Coral reefs are among the world’s most spectacular ecosystems and snorkeling is an excellent way to explore them. As coral reefs face an increasingly uncertain future, snorkelers and other coral reef visitors can play an important role in helping protect these fragile habitats. Follow these simple guidelines to become a “coral friendly” snorkeler.

 

BEFORE SETTING OUT TO EXPLORE THE REEFS

■ For your vacation, choose an environmentally friendly resort or hotel; one that practices energy conservation, recycles, and treats sewage and solid waste in responsible ways.

■ Pay user fees or make a donation when visiting coral parks and other marine conservation areas.

■ Get the best possible snorkeling instruction you can.

■ Practice snorkeling skills away from the reef.

■ Make sure your equipment fits properly before you snorkel near corals—it can be very difficult to adjust in the water.

■ If you feel uncertain, or are an inexperienced snorkeler, consider wearing a snorkel vest for added buoyancy.

■ Learn all you can about coral reefs—they are fascinating and fragile environments.

 

IN THE WATER

■ Never touch corals; even slight contact can harm them. Some corals can sting or cut you.

■ Select points of entry and exit to avoid walking on corals.

■ Maintain a comfortable distance from the reef, so as to avoid contact.

■ Know where your fins are at all times and don’t kick up sand.

■ Stay horizontal in the water while you’re near or above the reef.

■ Learn to swim without using your arms.

■ Take nothing living or dead out of the water except recent garbage which does not have living organisms on it.

■ Move slowly and deliberately in the water—relax as you swim and take your time.

■ Don’t use gloves in coral environments, that’s a big no no.

■ Remember, look but don’t touch.

 

MINIMIZE CONTACT WITH MARINE LIFE

■ Never chase, harass or try to ride marine life.

■ Never touch or handle marine life.

 

ON BOATS

■ Choose snorkel operations whose boats make use of available moorings —anchors and chains destroy fragile corals.

■ Make sure garbage is well stowed, especially light plastic items.

■ Be sure to take away everything you brought on board, such as packaging, used batteries and bottles.

 

SHORE-SIDE

■ Support coral parks and other conservation projects:

■ Visit established coral parks and pay applicable user fees that support marine conservation.

■ Encourage and support the use of boat moorings, complain to the boat crew if you see them using anchors.

■ Participate in local initiatives to monitor the marine environment.

■ Participate in cleanups.

■ Make a donation or volunteer your skills to support a coral park. For example, you can participate in a reef survey, conduct outreach, or help educate others about reef conservation.

■ Donate used equipment such as cameras, dive gear or reef identification books.

■ Avoid purchasing souvenirs made from coral, turtles or other marine life—this is often illegal, and it’s never environmentally wise.

■ Speak up. Make sure your snorkeling buddies understand these simple but important conservation practices.