ABW Dec 2020-1

Sites, such as in Puerto Galera, offer diving for all types
of people. From, amateur to professional divers. the
diving depth is very deep.
The wreckage of a Spanish galleon that sunk in 1620 was
found in the southern part of this passage. Most of the
ancient cargo was salvaged from the wreckage in the late
seventies and again in the early 80s. Nothing remains of
the wreck except for a few shards of porcelain and some
larger pieces of terracotta jars. The keel was removed to
Puerto Galera for conservation. The conservation was not
properly carried out and the remaining timbers were left
to rot at a depth of 6 meters in front of Sabang Beach.
Centre of the Centre of Marine
Shore-fish Biodiversity
A team of marine conservationists declared in 2006 that
the Philippines is the Centre of Marine Biodiversity in
the world and Verde Island Passage as the “Centre of the
Centre of Marine Shore-fish Biodiversity”
Many threatened species which include sea turtles like
hawksbills, olive ridleys, and green turtles; humphead
wrasses, giant groupers and giant clams are present in the
Verde Island Passage. However, there are no enforcement
of ordinances and over-fishing is common. A short-lived
‘park fee’ scheme for the Verde Island drop-off dive
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