Bio-diversity

Palawan still holds a considerate amount of the country s mangroves. Mangrove cover was estimated to be 48,000 hectares some 30 years ago (Forestry Statistics, 1996). But also Palawan especially Honda Bay suffers from mangrove depletion, mainly due to the conversion into fishponds, and the cutting for timber or charcoal. In recent years, tourism development in the area has ushered in new forms and opportunities for income as well as threat to the marine ecosystem of the Bay and the marginal fisherfolks dependent on it. Findings of scientific surveys conducted by various research groups and community members inevitably point to a dramatic loss in biodiversity in the area. In Honda Bay, there were 279 fish species in 41 families in 1988. Twenty years later, in 2008, the figures plummeted to 85 fish species in 25 families. The loss is attributed to variety of factors including, among others, the use of destructive fishing methods and the reckless dropping of anchors by fishermen and uncontrolled tourism practices. This situation is really putting the marginalized fisherfolks in a difficult. BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE of HONDA BAY Ecologically important for nursery, breeding ground and source of food for fish, turtles, dugong and other aquatic invertebrates High level of biodiversity in terms of endemism and level of threats Sightings of marine turtles, and dugong dugong Breeding ground of source of food and aquatic invertebrates Live coral cover remains at fair condition Marine ecosystem is assemblage of marine life and is host of Rufus Night Heron, Giant Heron, Tabon Bird, White breasted sea eagle, sand piper, common white tern, bottlenose dolphin, and sea turtles. Commercial importance species include: groupers hump head, wrasses, octopi, and sea cucumber. General Objective: Promotion of sustainable resource utilization, livelihood opportunities and improve income while protecting and conserving coastal and marine ecosystems of Honda Bay and its environs through strengthened coordination for effective community-based coastal and marine protected area management approach. Specific Objectives: Conserve and protect the marine coastal ecosystems and biodiversity to improve the quality of life of local people through up-scaling community-based initiatives on MPA management in Honda bay; Provide a living laboratory to the researchers. Establish permanent transect lines/markers for each sampling station and compare results of the previous studies across sites and the studies to be conducted; Enhance public awareness on coastal resource conservation, protection and management by demonstrating lessons learned from other projects/initiatives and raise community consciousness and concerns for the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources. Regulate resource users to prevent destruction and exploitation Contain the persisting threats posed by unregulated local tourism activity in Honda Bay particularly in Snake Island, Pambato Reef Fish Sanctuary and all MPAs in the bay; Encourage stronger community support and cooperation and the stakeholders participation in the sustainable protection and management of the coastal and marine ecosystems of Honda bay and its environs; Provide sustainable livelihood and income-generating opportunities for local community through various sustainable resource use and eco tourism activities. An opportunity to the local marginal fishermen for additional cash incomes as a result of improved fisheries and tourism management and development of Snake Island, Pambato Reef and other MPAs; Empower HOBBAI members with technical know-how through the conduct of IEC, hands-on trainings, lectures, consultation meetings and workshop on sustainable coastal and marine management, biodiversity conservation and resource protection; Arrest the continuing degradation of the natural resources and delicate ecosystems of Honda Bay particularly all MPAs and Snake Island; Establish appropriate infrastructures(i.e. monitoring stations, mooring buoys, provide appropriate field materials /equipments and support facilities to enhance the working capabilities and condition of the PO; Activites and performance indicator 1. Establishment of more smaller MPAs - 3 MPAs sites established; Integrated Mgt Plan into BDPs LGU allocating funds for MPAs; 30 of fish wardens trained, installed and deputized Increased number of women members as Fish Wardens 2. Mangrove Enrichment and Management - 80% survival rate; Increased mangrove cover Poverty level decreased; Established /maintained permanent and subsidiary mangrove nurseries to provide 200,000 planting materials; 200,000 mangrove seedling planted in 20 hectares rehabilitated site 3. Sustainable resource utilization - Species inventory of resources for utilization conducted Policies for sustainable resource utilization formulated; Enhanced fish catch by 50%if possible; 2 dive sites identified and established for ecotourism 4. Rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems and improved condition of affected marine and coastal areas in Honda Bay - 1 Ha. of Coral gardens established; 8x COTS collection; Reef/coastal areas rehabilitated 5. Linkaging - Strong cooperation and support of the MPA Mgt- Boards and other cooperating agencies 6. Resource protection and law enforcement - 3 monitoring stations established; 1 patrol boat operationa; 30 Bantay Dagat installed; 2 communication equipment in place 7. Institutional Strengthening / capability building - 2 Basic and Advance Paralega

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