INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Hunger is one of the major problems that the world is facing nowadays. Millions of people die each year due to this subject. In fact, more than 925 million people are suffering starvation – more than combined populations of the United States, Canada and European Union (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, 2010).
Most of the nations around the world rely on marine resources for their food and livelihood. Coral reefs play a vital role in the marine ecosystem. They serve as shelter for many marine organisms such as fish, algae, sponge, etc. and as source of food supply for about 400 million people in more than 100 countries (Coral Reef Targeted Research, 2010).
Until recently, the oceans were considered to be a source of inexhaustible resources. Their abundance alone appeared to ensure the marine life so the people who rely on would never be depleted. Destructive fishing practices such as cyanide fishing and whole-sale harvesting of fish lead to a massive devastation of coral reef population. Global warming also causes the ocean temperature to rise that compound the extent and severity of coral bleaching.
During these past decades, there is enormous decline in the population of coral reef. 19% of the coral reefs worldwide are considered severely damaged, while another 15% are thought to be under imminent risk from human disturbance (CRTR, 2010).
In Southeast Asia, there is a severe loss of marine life biodiversity especially in terms of coral reefs. This region is containing one-fourth of the world’s reefs. According to the World Resource Institute, over 80% of the coral reefs in this region are at risk, and over 50% of those are at high risk.
In addition, Philippines is considered as one of the most threatened hotspots in the Southeast Asia region. Presently, its coral cover of excellent reefs is in a moderate deterioration, and many of the fair reefs are shifting to the degradation state. Less than 10% of the reefs in this area are in good to excellent condition, and the remaining are about to perish if not taken with consideration (Gonzales et al, 2007).
Philippines is ecologically unique in its highly diverse regions. But it is being threatened due to human actions such as destructive fishing methods, excessive fishing, and pollution runoff from logging and urban development with big impact in the marine ecosystem.
Many organizations are taking actions in restoring the marine environment. One successful way of restoring marine environment is done through transplantation of coral fragments. The transplantation process is done by removing a coral fragment from a donor coral and transplanting it to a natural or artificial substrate. Many transplants can survive transplantation provided that environmental factors are favorable.
Coral transplantation measures have gained recognition as the prime management tool for coral restoration. Transplanting corals for coral reef restoration should by no means regard as a universal solution for the dire position coral reefs are facing today.
Fundamentally, the survivorship of the coral transplants will not only contribute to the rehabilitation of the coral reefs in the Hinatuan Bay but it will also give a truthful sense of hope to the nation’s desire in restoring the natural beauty of the marine environment.
Most of the nations around the world rely on marine resources for their food and livelihood. Coral reefs play a vital role in the marine ecosystem. They serve as shelter for many marine organisms such as fish, algae, sponge, etc. and as source of food supply for about 400 million people in more than 100 countries (Coral Reef Targeted Research, 2010).
Until recently, the oceans were considered to be a source of inexhaustible resources. Their abundance alone appeared to ensure the marine life so the people who rely on would never be depleted. Destructive fishing practices such as cyanide fishing and whole-sale harvesting of fish lead to a massive devastation of coral reef population. Global warming also causes the ocean temperature to rise that compound the extent and severity of coral bleaching.
During these past decades, there is enormous decline in the population of coral reef. 19% of the coral reefs worldwide are considered severely damaged, while another 15% are thought to be under imminent risk from human disturbance (CRTR, 2010).
In Southeast Asia, there is a severe loss of marine life biodiversity especially in terms of coral reefs. This region is containing one-fourth of the world’s reefs. According to the World Resource Institute, over 80% of the coral reefs in this region are at risk, and over 50% of those are at high risk.
In addition, Philippines is considered as one of the most threatened hotspots in the Southeast Asia region. Presently, its coral cover of excellent reefs is in a moderate deterioration, and many of the fair reefs are shifting to the degradation state. Less than 10% of the reefs in this area are in good to excellent condition, and the remaining are about to perish if not taken with consideration (Gonzales et al, 2007).
Philippines is ecologically unique in its highly diverse regions. But it is being threatened due to human actions such as destructive fishing methods, excessive fishing, and pollution runoff from logging and urban development with big impact in the marine ecosystem.
Many organizations are taking actions in restoring the marine environment. One successful way of restoring marine environment is done through transplantation of coral fragments. The transplantation process is done by removing a coral fragment from a donor coral and transplanting it to a natural or artificial substrate. Many transplants can survive transplantation provided that environmental factors are favorable.
Coral transplantation measures have gained recognition as the prime management tool for coral restoration. Transplanting corals for coral reef restoration should by no means regard as a universal solution for the dire position coral reefs are facing today.
Fundamentally, the survivorship of the coral transplants will not only contribute to the rehabilitation of the coral reefs in the Hinatuan Bay but it will also give a truthful sense of hope to the nation’s desire in restoring the natural beauty of the marine environment.
