2010 Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands 3-7 May 2010

1. 2010 Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands 3-7 May 2010 Philippine Milestones onCoastal and Marine Biodiversity Management Ms. Teresita Samson Castillo Vice-Minister, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Philippines

2. 1. Marine Biodiversity in the Philippines 2. Major Threats to Coastal & Marine Biodiversity in the Philippines 3. Coastal & Marine Resources: Status & Trends 4. Managing the Threats 5. Issues and Gaps (Challenges) 6. Future Plans/Recommendations Outline of Presentation

3. Marine Biodiversity in the Philippines The Philippines, being situated at the apex of the coral triangle, is considered to be the richest marine eco-region in the world. NASA Blue Marble

4. Marine Biodiversity in the Philippines • Coastal and marine ecosystems • Beaches • mangrove forests • coral reefs • seagrass beds • soft-bottom communities (especially estuaries) • open marine waters and small islands

5. Coastal and Marine Resources of the Philippines • Major Threats to Marine Biodiversity • Human-induced and direct stresses on species and ecosystem biodiversity • Overexploitation through unsustainable fishing • Use of destructive fishing methods • Deforestation • Aquarium and souvenir trade • Expanding human settlements • Coastal pollution • Dredging and land reclamation • Coastal development

6. Coastal and Marine Resources of the Philippines Major Threats to Marine Biodiversity • 2. Climate change • Coral bleaching • Sea acidification and sea level rise—can cause severe impacts on marine biodiversity

7. STATUS OF PHILIPPINE COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCE/ECOSYSTEM • Status of Coral Reefs: • ｷCoral reefs contribute up to 70% of the total fishery production; and • ｷ Small fishers who comprise about 62% of the population living along coastal areas are directly dependent on reefs for their livelihood

8. STATUS OF PHILIPPINE COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCE/ECOSYSTEM • Issues on Coral Reefs: • ｷPhilippines is considered to be one of the highly threatened reef areas in the world • ｷPhilippine reefs may be in a • steady state of decline (from 5% to 3% to >1%) • ｷWidespread coral bleaching; • ｷInvasive species and Crown of Thorns starfish infestations

9. STATUS OF PHILIPPINE COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCE/ECOSYSTEM • Status of Seagrasses: • ｷThe Philippines has the second highest seagrass diversity in the world; • ｷIt contributes about 19 species or about 55% of the number of species in East Asia; • ｷSeagrasses in the Philippines are now distributed over an area about 27,282 sq. m.

10. STATUS OF PHILIPPINE COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCE/ECOSYSTEM • Issues on Seagrasses: • ｷdecline in coastal water quality ; • ｷdegradation of environment and resources; and • ｷhuman-induced • disturbances.

11. STATUS OF PHILIPPINE COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCE/ECOSYSTEM • Status of Fisheries: • ｷPelagic fish production contributed 70% of the country’s total marine capture fisheries; • ｷFisheries production shows continuing upward trend, with significant contribution of the aquaculture and mariculture sectors, particularly seaweeds. • ｷ Recent data on exploitation rates of selected fish species (n= 129 spp.) showed high extraction patterns

12. STATUS OF PHILIPPINE COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCE/ECOSYSTEM • Mangroves: Status and Issues • ｷThere is a significant decline in mangrove forest cover due to the conversion of mangrove forests to fishponds; • ｷMangrove forest areas were issued with Fishpond Leasing Agreements in 1973-2002, causing a significant damage to the ecosystem.

13. STATUS OF PHILIPPINE COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCE/ECOSYSTEM • Other Marine Resources: Status • ｷ5 species of Marine Turtles are found in the Philippines; • ｷ1755 reef-associated fish species • ｷ168 species of cartilaginous fishes ; • ｷ820 species of algae;

14. STATUS OF PHILIPPINE COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCE/ECOSYSTEM Other Marine Resources: Status ｷ648 species of mollusks; ｷ1062species of seaweeds including sea algae; and ｷ27 species of marine mammals have been classified as threatened species) From WWF-Phil. Website

15. Coastal and Marine Resources/Ecosystem in the Philippines: Managing the Threats

16. Managing Threats: Coastal & Marine Resources/ Ecosystem Conservation and Management Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) - national strategy for the sustainable development of the country’s coastal and marine environment and resources - addresses the interlinkages among associated watersheds, estuaries and wetlands, and coastal seas, and also among all relevant national and local agencies, civil society, and the private sectors

17. Managing Threats: Coastal & Marine Resources/ Ecosystem Conservation and Management • Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) – • Involves Action Plans/Strategies on the ff: • Habitat Management • Fisheries Management • Shoreline management • Waste Management • Enterprise and Livelihood Development • Sustainable Coastal Tourism • Coastal Zoning • Legal and Institutional Development • Risk/coastal hazard management

18. ISSUES and GAPS Coastal & Marine Resources/ Ecosystem Conservation and Management “The Philippines does however, have the most progressive programs for public awareness and introduction to participatory management for the coastal areas in the region. The Philippines has all the tools to be a model in Asia, but continuity and political will appear to be absent in the system.” --Flewelling (2001), (describing the monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) system in the Philippines

19. ISSUES and GAPS Coastal & Marine Resources/ Ecosystem Conservation and Management • Biodiversity Data Gaps • Inadequate comprehensive data to better understand the state biodiversity of the selected coastal and marine ecosystems • Low utilization of research output

20. ISSUES and GAPS Coastal & Marine Resources/ Ecosystem Conservation and Management Need to develop a more effective implementation strategy of national laws and policies affecting the species and ecosystem diversity 4. Capacity Building and Resource generation; education-awareness, conservation ethics and perceptions

21. ISSUES and GAPS Coastal & Marine Resources/ Ecosystem Conservation and Management 5. Need for a more aggressive strategy to fully implement coastal laws, rules and regulations 6. Lack of land-based livelihood projects to limit extraction/utilization of marine products thereby giving chance for coastal habitats to recover

22. ISSUES and GAPS Coastal & Marine Resources/ Ecosystem Conservation and Management 7. More focus on education-awareness, conservation ethics and perceptions

23. Future Plans/ Recommendation

24. Recommendations • Harmonization of efforts, sustained management interventions and stakeholder support are keys to save the coastal ecosystem • Comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of protected area management and other policies • Integration of biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in the school curricula at all levels

25. Recommendations • Efficient and effective information dissemination • Exploration of innovative financing options • Reduction of coastal and marine emerging pressures through adaptive management

26. Thank You…