Category: Advocacy

Notes from Tubbataha

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Red-footed Booby (Sula sula) and Brown Booby (...
Boobies...

Coming to this paradise called Tubbataha was a real privilege and I couldn’t help wonder its significance not only in Philippine waters but also in the neighbouring regions being named as the only marine World Heritage Site in UNESCO list in Southeast Asia.  I thought it would be suitable to mention what’s in this world of wonders.

This 97,030 hectare park is home to at least: over 600 species of fish;, 360 species of corals – 72% of coral genera in the world; 60 spcies algae; 7 species of se grasses; 12 species sharks; 13 species of dolphin and whales; nesting hawksbill and green sea turtles; 7 species of sea birds.

The park contains roughly 10,000 hectares of coral reefs and lies at the heart of the Coral Triangle, the center of marine biodiversity in the world;  Its islets represents the last intact seabird habitats in the country.  Jessie Beazley and Tubbataha Reefs are sources of coral and fish larvae seeding the Sulu Sea.

Tubbataha Seabirds are found  in North & South Islets: Black Noddy, Brown Booby, Brown Noddies, Lesser Frigate bird, Masked Booby,and  Red Footed Booby.

Seabirds have waterproof plumage and the ability to drink seawater. They inhabit remote areas and give birth to a few young. Migratory by nature, over a hundred species regularly visit Tubbataha but only eight types are recorded to breed locally.

They provide vital fertilizer for nutrient-poor sandbars, allowing the first waves of pioneer plants to survive.  Fossilized bird droppings form Phosphorite, a type of rock used for agricultural fertilizers.

Since the last century, numbers have dropped from 20 million to 400,000. The threats were animal and human predators, marine pollution and land development.

Each year it seems another animal is recorded extinct – or at the brink of extinction. One in four mammals is in danger of disappearing from the face of the earth as well as one in eight birds.  But half the human population is likely not even aware of the plummeting numbers, or that we’re losing some of the species right at home.

We hope that the citizens of this country would be aware about the treasures of this park and its significance.  We pray that everyone will help to strengthen the protection of Tubbataha!

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Mission: Coral Watch

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let’s ACT now!

A few days back I received the first Coral Watch newsletter from Coral Watch with a personal note from Chris.  It reminds me somehow that I haven’t done any coral monitoring since I received the kit from CW. It’s been over a year  when I signed up as a volunteer and I remembered I was too ecstatic when I got  the kit, grateful that it was for real and I am entrusted with some noble task for the underwater life.

I shared the materials with my dive buddy so he could also impart to marine enthusiasts the great idea of monitoring the corals in our local waters.  In a sense I felt guilty that I haven’t started my share in doing this formidable task. Secondly, I havent decided yet which strategic spot should I do my monitoring as it is necessary I would be frequently visiting the area.  Well, I need to stop and rethink about putting in order my plan so I could start my task soon.  To date, there are 1,741 surveys and 31,284 corals surveyed, hoping that more will be added  in the next months.

Just as the year is about to end, I’m organizing my 2011 plans.  Now, I have identified to position my monitoring in Sohoton waters – being a favorite place and where preservation for sustainable marine resources is one of the community’s agenda.  I’m sure it wouldn’t be too strange for them to assist and support me with this endeavor, the site would be perfect as I frequetly visiting,   there will be continuity of monitoring.  Mainly it would be monitoring of coral bleaching and assessment of coral health. I need to join the force of people who have great concern for the marine world before global warming can overtake us. I can’t wait to start this!

I have something worthwhile to waste my time with when I go snorkeling, I can bring my diving  and water escapades  to another level.  In my own way, I can spread the word albeit slowly but surely and let others be educated, passionate and involved in reef health monitoring.  My love for marine life could never be limited by just watching in awe and scribbling on my log describing wonderful experiences, there is something more!  I need to roll up my sleeves for my second home and friends. I can’t help to be bullish that we can restore our threatened environment before it will be too late!

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Cleanup Dive 2010!

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 After an adventure dive trip at Camotes Islands, Angel and I signed up for a clean-up dive at Opol Marine Sanctuary to join the force for the International Coastal Cleanup which DiveSpecial Diving Central organized with the LGU of Opol. Despite work pressures, we chose to be part of this endeavor – to do something worthwhile for the marine environment, a favorite dwelling which we wanted to visit more often. So we packed our gears, Angel flew again to CdeO and we went to Opol feeling joyful for the activity and excited to discover another underwater scenery. When we reached the Ajis Beach, the area was teeming with people already. It was good to see Mario, Ma’am Cristy , Mar Brandy and Cris. It was a sunny Saturday, actually perfect for beach antics – I saw banana boat, jet ski and kayaks just waiting around for a ride!

We were the first group of divers who went down for the clean up, with XU-College of Marine Biology students and a dive guide from LGU, all were men. I’m always thankful that Angel is with me in my dives, I would be honest to admit that diving alone with strangers is sometimes awkward but with my favorite dive buddy I can always count on his abiding presence. After a short briefing from Mario, we climbed up the boat (Mar Brandy have to assist me) and cruised for about ten minutes to the sanctuary.

We anchored near the floating shed serving as guardhouse of the sanctuary, and prepared for the descent. I stayed near Angel as we started to go down but unfortunately I can’t with my three weights (?), I suspected it was due to my BC. Anyhow, I was able to borrow from the guide and another diver. Angel went up to see what’s wrong 😛 He signaled that we must stay near  each other as the visibility wasn’t good. We descend on the shallow part and went around. It was somewhat tricky since we’re not there for just enjoying the scenery but to be quick also to find trashes underwater. Most of it have blended the environment, the silt have made them looks like part underwater. Angel and I found the planted car wreck! It now served as artificial reef, where some corals with lot of tropical fishes claimed as their home.

We found angel fish, damsels, wrasse, groupers, bat fishes, snappers, sweetlips, surgeons, clownfish, butterfly fish, puffers, and variety of anthias. There were branching corals, soft corrals, barrel sponges, cucumber and more. I managed to touch a long floating worm which Angel held for me with a twig.  We searched for more trash until we lost each other! I got with me plastics, food wrappers, a whisky bottle, fishing lines, sachets, etc. when I ascend with the guide. Angel surfaced ten minutes later as I waited for him at the floating shed. We got unto the boat and cruised back to the beach as soon as everybody surfaced.

Another rewarding clean up dive, perhaps my gathered trash wasn’t much but doing something for marine life’s benefit is truly worthwhile. After taking lunch, getting a free shirt, taking photos – we packed our gears, freshen up and bid byes from the group. Angel and I left the beach resort with a joyful heart promisisng ourselves for another cleanup dive next year!

At Work: Different Pressure, Different Environment

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leaving for work...

Few days ago, I went down for a work.  Well, it was exciting especially that I waited for it for sometime.  I went to work deep down – not with rolled-up sleeves, not with  figures or computers, not on analysis, computations, and documents  review but on something new to a Little Mermaid like me.  Alright, it’s something outlandish and not everybody can do it or have the opportunity to do it.

For the past days, I chattered abut it with my team and even to Angel, I was eagerly waiting for it since last year!  One sunny Wednesday, I was up earlier than usual with my gears packed previous night.  Yea, my diving gears because I was joining the coral transplantation!  This work was my lone dive for August, but very worthwhile in making a difference for a good cause.

It was sunny in Samburon when we got there, and the folks have started already the day’s activities and obviously waiting for us.  It was good to see Lemuel, Mar Brandy, Lolong and the rest of the team. I asked Lemuel for a briefing including the procedures, he explained to us also the updates, problems encountered and why it took them long for the transplantation.  I was beaming listening to him, as he explained the diagram of the substrates submerged months ago.

The guys were busy for the preliminaries, finally we’re heading for the boat – we’re using paddle boat as it was just near the shore.  Well, donning the gears on a paddle boat is challenging!  🙂  We finally descend with Mar Brandy as my buddy. The water was bit murky so the visibility wasn’t good.  There was nothing down until we got into the concrete substrates.  We viewed the planted corals, it was all neat!  They have shown all the types of substrates- rectangle, square and round.    Lemuel made sign to watch him as he did the demo.  It went like this:

  • Polythelene pipes in clear plastic about 4 inches long and 1.5 inches in diameter will be inserted to holes on substrates about 6 inches apart
  • Pre-mixed cement and fine sand (1:1) packed in ice water plastic wrapper will be transferred to the installed pipes, carefully estimating its amount would be exact, as soon as it filled the pipe, cover immediately with  palm to avoid it spreading out, after awhile as it hardened, fill other pipes. (about 3 pipes will be filled by each pack)
  • After 3-5 minutes, pre-cut corals will be inserted to cemented pipes as in planting in a pot
  • After 4 hours, planted corals will be taken out from the pipe and plastic, leaving only  cemented corals which will be inserted back to the substrate holes

Not sitting on my desk, no desktop or laptop computer, no aircon whirring, no phone ringing, no cellphone beeps – just away from everything.  Just breathe in silence concentrating on the task, relaxing somehow and watch in awe how one can do something to help improve our marine environment, our second home – the SEA!

corals planted on the substrates...

Viewing the fully-planted substrates looked like a Christmas tree, especially the round ones!  It requires much energy for the work and the conviction that all will grow and someday would become a colorful healthy coral garden.  🙂  I learned that the coral fragments must stay underwater until planted and must be careful in the transport from its harvest to avoid stress for the planting materials. As we went around, we noticed juvenile fishes taking refuge under the substrates and it was even more surprising when we found a lionfish swimming coyly under the second floor of the slab. Amazing! A migrant, a new boarder claiming the space as its new home. I was sure more tropical fishes will troop to the spot, soon to be filled with damsels, wrasses, angelfish, batfish, fusiliers, snappers, triggers, moorish idol, puffers, moray, anthias and more…. 🙂

At 9.9 meters it was all easy to stay longer underwater but after an hour we ascend, after going around all the planted substrates with the matching photos for the documentation.  I found it very interesting and it was such a learning experience, I’m looking forward to do it again perhaps in the same site as 90% of the one hectare nursery still needs to be completed by the LGU of Linamon.

Yes, I would be willing to do it again – working in a different pressure in my wetsuit under the water!  🙂

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Photos courtesy of Mr. Lemuel Alfeche

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