#Status of Coral Reefs 2002 - International Coral Reef Action Network

Status of Southeast Asia Coral Reefs
LOCAL COMMITMENT TO CONSERVATION: A PHILIPPINE SUCCESS STORY
The Danjugan Island Marine Reserve in Negros, Philippines was awarded the ‘2002
Best Managed Reef Award’ by the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research.
In 1994, the community near Danjugan Island, Barangay Bulata, was suffering increasing
poverty because their marine resources were deteriorating, and fish catches were
declining due to over- and destructive fishing. A local NGO was established to acquire
and manage the island in partnership with Coral Cay Conservation Ltd. and the World
Land Trust. The community, with help from the NGOs, developed short-term and
long-term projects to conserve the environment. They set up their own self-governing
organisations, developed alternative livelihoods, and encouraged conservation through
education and awareness raising. They held marine camps for the youth, had shore
clean-ups, and planted mangroves, with the goal of developing a conservation ethic in
the community. Fishers were trained in mud-crab farming and pig raising, and the
community participated in fish catch monitoring and underwater surveying of corals
and fish. The best indicators of a successful marine reserve are committed and satisfied
communities; and this success has triggered curiosity in neighbouring villages who want
to establish their own marine reserves. These community-based management
processes may not be perfect, but each one nurtures change, transforms attitudes and
paves the way for long-term ecological benefit and sustainability. From: Kristin
Sherwood, James Cook University, Australia, kristin.sherwood@jcu.edu.au; and
Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation, Negros Occidental,
Philippines prrcfi@mozcom.com
143