of the Verde Island Passage, Philippines - weADAPT

climate change vulnerability assessment of the verde island passage, philippines
In an increasing sea surface temperature, most of
the fisheries target species will be affected through
disruption in timing of reproduction, decreased
reproductive output, shorter larval duration, lower recruit
survivorship, and recruitment failure leading to changes
in fisheries productivity. Impact on critical habitats such
as coral reefs, seagrasses, and mangroves will affect
the aforementioned attributes of the associated fauna
that include high value target species (e.g., siganids,
groupers, snappers). For sea level rise, some habitats
such as mangroves will be inundated that will reduce
available areas for recruitment of associated fauna that
have fisheries value. In coral reefs, species on shallower
parts (e.g., reef flats) will be affected compared to those
on reef slopes. Increase in frequency and intensity of
storms can greatly affect recruitment of target species
through reduction of suitable sites for recruitment and
reduction in abundance and species diversity due to
habitat loss and decreased habitat complexity.
A total of 16 species of reef fishes listed in Pratchett
et al. (2008) was observed in the VIP. Percentage
loss of reef fish species ranged from 9% to 14%.
The municipality of Nasugbu was deemed to have the
highest vulnerability as it could lose 16% of the 44
observed fish species, followed by Looc, Calatagan,
and San Juan with estimated losses of 14%, 12%, and
10% respectively.
The vulnerability assessment for the fisheries utilizes
the information gathered from the literature to identify
the fisheries resources (target species, fishery stocks)
that will be most affected (i.e., vulnerable vis-à-vis the
prospective climate impacts) by extreme changes in the
climate. Emphasis was placed upon knowledge of the
critical life stages (e.g., larvae, juveniles, reproductive
stages) of the species as well as some information on
their catch rates and habitat conditions. It has been
acknowledged that changes in the climate (e.g., rising
sea surface temperature, increase in storm frequency,
storm surges) would possibly introduce greatest impact
upon larval, juvenile and reproductive stages of target
species affecting distributional patterns (e.g., Munday
et al. 2008). Target species may also be influenced by
changes in the climate indirectly through habitat loss
and fragmentation (e.g., coral loss through bleaching
events, inundation of mangroves areas) affecting their
recruitment, survivorship and abundance (Pratchett et
al. 2008). The associated habitats of the target species
were determined as this will allow further examination of
the conditions of these habitats harboring the critical life
stages. The presence of habitat types (e.g., seagrass
beds, mangroves) that enhances the growth and
survivorship and what drives the population dynamics of
the species potentially will serve as a gauge or index as
what would be vulnerable to climate change.
The fisheries that are most vulnerable are those
involving fishes that need different habitats throughout
their life stages. For example, Mabini and Lubang/Looc
have grouper and snapper fisheries. These fishes make
use of estuaries, mangroves, seagrasses, corals, and
the pelagic realm during the different stages in their life.
Key recommendations
The fisheries ecosystem approach to management
will need to be put in place as natural links to the
present conservation efforts with the tourism industry.
Environmental concerns will not only marginalize fishers
and their fishing grounds, exacerbate the impending
climate change impacts but will jeopardize the future of
our next generations.
• Adaptation mechanisms would require that the
present CRM programs need to be more tightly
integrated through establishing knowledge based
communities. The various CRM working groups
would also need to engage with each other
through inter-LGU arrangement joint fisheries law
enforcement teams (FLET) and bay management
councils or VIP level alliances can be formed.
Coastal law enforcement will need to integrate
ecosystem management and zoning policy
considerations, e.g., foreshore management,
infrastructure and human settlements regulations
• Based on available literature on the interconnectivity
of mangrove, seagrass and coral reef, protecting
adjacent ecosystems may increase the resilience of
these ecosystems to the impacts, including that of
climate change. Therefore, in sites that have shown
significant adaptive capacity and at the same time
in sites where the fisheries were found vulnerable,
measures must be taken to reduce of prevailing
threats such as illegal and destructive fishing,
emerging pollution and habitat degradation from
urban and industrial development. Where critical
life stages are important it would be important to
consider a combination of establishment of an
expanded protection zone to serve both as a canary
for improving adaptive management and (see also
adaptive management below), and have regulated
activities through close and open seasons and
gear regulations in conjunction with safety nets and
incentives for affected sectors.
• In addition, given that sea level will accelerate in the
coming years and that storms are likely to increase
in frequency and possibly strengthen, the natural
buffers to sea level rise and impact of large waves,
such as coral reefs and mangroves, should be
protected and rehabilitated.
• Deforestation and extensive agriculture in the
watersheds, long steep slopes, and presence of
numerous faults, high seismicity, and volcanoes all
4