ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Coral Reef Restoration
At a first glance toward the horizon , waves freely flowing with velvety and passion: A panoramic image of splendid natural creation . It is a small vicinity embodied with 13 white - sanded islets , and a place teeming with marine life and resources. Even of the relatively a small open sea , and facing east against the Pacific , the place houses a genera of exotic marine species that convey pride not only to folks but to the whole world. That is Hinatuan bay , once only a log pond in the late 1950’s but today’s one of the tourist destinations and a pride of the Caraga in terms of economic contribution.
The need to feed the starving population was primarily the reasons why the world consumes the available resources. In Caraga , the fish production was supplied by people living in coastal areas such as the Hinatuan. For the increased demand due to rising population , malpractices later developed , to elevate the mass of catch such as dynamite and usage of nets with various sizes . Competition then exist between the traditionally skilled – locals and commercial fishermen fortified with modern upgraded gears and huge boats , while even though the place allure even foreign visitors , coral collection have brought the immense deterioration.
Mangrove areas , coral reefs and sea grasses stands as a home for a wide array of marine species , and the massive distraction of these areas is an alarming condition. These regions are breeding sites for fishes , crustaceans and other endangered species ; and without it , there will be no new generation that can support the need for the marine production and can populate those important seawater varieties.
In past years , the diversity is challenged by series of mangrove to fishpond conversions , reported cases of siltation due to limestone quarrying , algal bloom due to waste , and fishing even in sanctuaries . These have caused the abundance of goat fish in the past decades to be deprived and currently was lost in the food chain. These have reduced yield and harvest of commercially valuable fishes , clamps , and crabs and induced threats in marine life such as the five species of endangered marine turtles including Green Turtle, Loggerhead, Hawksbill, Leatherback and Olive Ridley , eight sea grass species and sea cucumbers and rabbit fish .
This conditions has developed organizations to lessen the present redundant problems . Major workshops about the importance of conservation , protection , and management of the marine ecosystems was conducted by Manila – based organization , the Center for Empowerment and Resource Development, Inc. (CERD) and while building of seminars and trainings was managed by a 23-member local group , called LUMOT Development (Ladies in United Movement Onward to Development) to deepen their understanding about the health of the coastal environment and the duties and responsibilities to contrive its resources. Continuous improvement was displayed by sightings of an endangered marine mammal commonly known as "dugong" (sea cow) , the returns of big fishes and the recovery of the coral reefs . Currently , there exist 8 fish sanctuaries that are protected hand – in – hand by women wardens , maritime police , and members of fishermen organizations.
Rapid degradation will never be ceased upon a single action, it either requires cooperation and discipline. People around the world must endow some efforts to preserve the last frontiers not only in Hinatuan, but also around the globe. #
by: Novah Adrianne Gavia, Jairah Peteros & Marielle Babiera
The need to feed the starving population was primarily the reasons why the world consumes the available resources. In Caraga , the fish production was supplied by people living in coastal areas such as the Hinatuan. For the increased demand due to rising population , malpractices later developed , to elevate the mass of catch such as dynamite and usage of nets with various sizes . Competition then exist between the traditionally skilled – locals and commercial fishermen fortified with modern upgraded gears and huge boats , while even though the place allure even foreign visitors , coral collection have brought the immense deterioration.
Mangrove areas , coral reefs and sea grasses stands as a home for a wide array of marine species , and the massive distraction of these areas is an alarming condition. These regions are breeding sites for fishes , crustaceans and other endangered species ; and without it , there will be no new generation that can support the need for the marine production and can populate those important seawater varieties.
In past years , the diversity is challenged by series of mangrove to fishpond conversions , reported cases of siltation due to limestone quarrying , algal bloom due to waste , and fishing even in sanctuaries . These have caused the abundance of goat fish in the past decades to be deprived and currently was lost in the food chain. These have reduced yield and harvest of commercially valuable fishes , clamps , and crabs and induced threats in marine life such as the five species of endangered marine turtles including Green Turtle, Loggerhead, Hawksbill, Leatherback and Olive Ridley , eight sea grass species and sea cucumbers and rabbit fish .
This conditions has developed organizations to lessen the present redundant problems . Major workshops about the importance of conservation , protection , and management of the marine ecosystems was conducted by Manila – based organization , the Center for Empowerment and Resource Development, Inc. (CERD) and while building of seminars and trainings was managed by a 23-member local group , called LUMOT Development (Ladies in United Movement Onward to Development) to deepen their understanding about the health of the coastal environment and the duties and responsibilities to contrive its resources. Continuous improvement was displayed by sightings of an endangered marine mammal commonly known as "dugong" (sea cow) , the returns of big fishes and the recovery of the coral reefs . Currently , there exist 8 fish sanctuaries that are protected hand – in – hand by women wardens , maritime police , and members of fishermen organizations.
Rapid degradation will never be ceased upon a single action, it either requires cooperation and discipline. People around the world must endow some efforts to preserve the last frontiers not only in Hinatuan, but also around the globe. #
by: Novah Adrianne Gavia, Jairah Peteros & Marielle Babiera
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