Tag: diving in bicol

Deeper in Albay (Part II)

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Nursery that propagates corals – pink corals, anyone?

Legaspi City Coral Nursery

Many local government units (LGUs) maintained nurseries, in agriculture parlance nurseries are where we nurture seedlings which shall later planted in its appointed time and appropriate area. It could be fruit trees seedlings, vegetable seedlings, flower and the like. In the waters, to preserve the reefs and provide shelter for the degrading marine life, many have adopted coral transplantation. Just like planting on the surface, selected seedlings are necessary to be nurtured and for this purpose that would need a coral nursery. Legaspi City is one the few local government units that installed and maintained one. It is a formidable task for the LGU alone, so in partnership with BFAR, BU, MCCF and Pacific Blue they established the facility. Last year, the brief encounter with Mr. Jin Masuda of Pacific Blue who was too optimistic on the success of the restoration efforts was too encouraging. For me, the importance of protecting and preserving marine resources can not be undermined. I just thought, this nursery is worthy for a visit!

One of the crates was dragged away
Carrying them back again in its original location
Ato and Jun took off their fins, carry the crate and walk just like on surface ! 🙂

Pacific Blue was kind enough to arrange one for me for free, the ICRM office was just beside the dive shop  and I had a good chance in meeting the sea patrol unit. Legaspi City is one of the few who are serious in the fishery law enforcement in their territorial waters which I found too interesting. I had a long surface interval discussing their activities, plans, difficulties, challenges as well as victories.

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Coral seedlings are branching out!
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Juveniles claiming their home in the restoration project

We trooped to the west end of the boulevard, took the ICRM boat donated by AECID  and had my third descent for the day enjoying the afternoon warm flat waters, I was bit excited what to find in the depths. It was only at 9 meters on a sandy area, it wasn’t long when we found the crates of the seedlings. Their technology is different from the Linamon Project but all the same, the seedlings are allowed to grow first before the transplantation. The corals are sourced out in the nearby for adaptability advantages. My two companions – Ato of ICRM and Jun of Pacific Blue got instantly busy. Cleaning, arranging and inspecting the crates. They went around from end to end, later they told me they were searching for thatone missing crate which I had no idea while down there. We found it like 20 meters away from its original location. The newly transplanted corals in the area thrive well and juvenile fishes were roaming around.

Pink and green corals
Yellow corals
Newly transplanted coral from nursery, obviously healthy!

After 40 minutes of going around we ascend, it wasn’t really long (I could have stayed longer I still have much air) but what a great privilege to be one of the few who witnessed such uncommon but very beneficial project for the marine world. Mr. Masuda is right, in five years Albay Gulf would be carrying in its bosom a colorful, active, rich and productive reefs. The home of Mt. Mayon is more than just its alluring surface, something is more fascinating in its depths!

NB.  This is dedicated for the World Ocean’s Month

AECID  – Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development
ICRM    – Integrated Coastal Resource Management

Deeper in Albay (Part I)

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We were floating over a wide expanse of corals!

After discovering over a year ago that Legazpi has diving opportunities, I was back to explore Albay Gulf. It is not really known for scuba diving, I just thought it isn’t much exploited and it would be less crowded and I would have enough time taking it slow, down in the depths. Craning my neck looking for Mt. Mayon as my plane prepared for arrival, she was hidden by clouds even as we touched down. Seeing her countenance everyday was another inspiration for my three-day get away. I was noting mentally my to do’s for the day as I headed for my new house at Mayon Backpackers, located perfectly in the downtown area bit far from the dive shop. But going around the city all by myself was just as interesting as discovering one new place, surface or in the depths.

Morning Delights

My diveshop was too kind to arrange for my pick-up and being early had given me enough time to take it slow as I wait for my companions. Indeed, it wasn’t congested there were only two of us as their guests, I was joined to a 67 year old Japanese who just earned his certification few months back. Taking it slow as I wish!

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Bubble corals were also abundant!

We cruised shortly to our first descent, DM Almar briefly introduce the site which they called as Itom na Buya (Black Bouy) which I presumed originally marked with black bouys. Mr. Jin Masuda of Pacific Blue have mentioned that restoration of the bay is on-going but it was surprising that the area was colorful and was filled with variety of corals including wide sea fans in different hues. Although the fishes were juveniles but it wasn’t totally devoid of marine life and it looks healthy. There were bubble corals, branching corals, rubber corals, whips, ferns, and feather stars. There were occasional juvenile nudis, and we found a shrimp lurking on the coral. We ascend after 47 minutes with air at 80 bars, my deepest was 25 meters.

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There were lot of sea fans

Our second descent was in Pasig Out (there must be Pasig In!), a sandy slope which is not really far from dive shop shores. Our first sighting was a tombstone of diver who lost his life in accident while diving many years ago. It still standing there now covered with fossilized parasites. For sure, diving in Albay wasn’t something new and maybe the diver or the accident has been forgotten buried from lapse of time . Corals also abound in the area – bubbles, rubber, staghorns, spirals, seafans, whips, squirts and even crown of thorns. Although there was an area of coral rubbles the reviving and flourishing marine life is imminent. Juvenile fishes are contently hovering over corals! At noon, the waters went choppy already, not wanting to stay on the surface longer I carry my tank on my own.  We ascend after 40 minutes with air still at 100 bars, my deepest at 22 meters.

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Juveniles wiggling among the corals, marine life is obviously thriving in the area!

The view was perfectly glorious, my ascents and descents were decorated with the view of Mt. Mayon, watching her from the waters in a different angle was a unique experience! It was a great morning for our descents and my afternoon was more interesting. I had a long interval for my third dive which deserves another write-up. Taking it slow, you know! 🙂

Albay Waters by Chance!

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Giant clams seeded in Misibis Bay waters
Giant clams seeded in Misibis Bay waters

Albay Gulf is a promising dive destination and I was fortunate to learn that there is an ongoing restoration works on damages due to dynamite fishing. My brief encounter with Mr. Jin Masuda, the Japanese director of Pacific Blue have raised hopes, that the surrounding waters in the region would flourish and its resources more productive, in due time the most could be five years. The diveshop in coordination with BFAR, BU, MCCF and other groups collaborated on coral transplantation and restoration, it is a formidable task but he was optimistic that the works would largely improve the marine environment in the gulf. The documentation showed the growing transplanted branching corals and juvenile tropical fishes that started to multiply in the area. For sure, the cooperation of fisherfolks in the coastal communities would be necessary for its success.

In recognition to the growing importance of responsible and sustainable tourism, Misibis Bay too has pledged its commitment to protect the environment and to improve the livelihood of the local community through its Misibis Bay Coastal Care Foundation (MCCF), a non-profit organization launched in 2009 dedicated to the implementation of various conservation projects like coastal and underwater clean-ups, giant clam planting to promote coral reef growth, solid waste management, and monitoring and prevention of illegal fishing.

Unknowingly our side trip to Misibis Bay the next day gave me the chance to dip in the waters, but not diving – it was too expensive I cringed as I inquired for the rates! Snorkeling was allowed for free, three other workmates signed up to join me. The resort has established a marine sanctuary as an added attraction of its properties. The skies were downcast but we were in high spirits for a swim, we were in good mode as we rolled off for the diveshop. The facility was off the coast near a patch of beach at the far end of the cove. We descend as it started to drizzle, our guide was insistent that life vest is a requirement as we snorkel. We were not disappointed – giant groupers, snappers, parrotfishes, sweetlips, rabbitfishes and more tropical species swarmed near the shelter. The guide pointed few of the giant clams gone a stray, he said more of its population were seeded in the deeper part. So diving in the area will include the viewing of the giant clams, unfortunately the rain started to pour we were not able to swim further. My companions suggested to end our swim as the rains continued pouring and the waters getting colder.

With this development no doubt the region is a potential as a new diving destination in the future, its attractions more than just on the surface but beyond, in its mysterious depths!
NB. Photo credits to http://www.gophilippinestravel.com