OVER SEAS -- The Online Magazine for Sustainable Seas

Cebu

CRMP’s primary learning area in Cebu Province is located east of Mactan on the islands of Olango, Sulpa, Nalasuan, Hilutungan, Caohagan, Camungi and Pangan-an, an area covering 1,015 hectares and a coastline of 55 km with 11 barangays and an estimated population of 22,779 people (1995). Olango, in particular, is a developed tourism area largely known for its sandy beaches and as a bird sanctuary. Twice a year from September to November and from February to April, 48 species of migratory birds flock to this small island, enriching the area’s already rich fauna (49 resident avian species, including 7 of unconfirmed origin) and drawing tourists from around the world. But live reef fishing remains the major source of income and, like many small islands whose inhabitants are highly dependent on the sea for livelihood, Olango, as well as the smaller islands nearby, is suffering from declining fish catch resulting from over-fishing and habitat destruction. People are aware of the problem and what causes it: Up to 67% of respondents in a recent survey believed the decline in fish catch would continue in the face of unabated cyanide and blast fishing. CRMP is doing the spadework designed to turn such high level of awareness into concrete actions for sound and sustainable coastal resource management.

On track with PCRA
The training of fishers in participatory coastal resource assessment (PCRA) is moving on schedule. Of the 11 villages in the learning area of Olango and neighboring islands, three (Caw-oy, Sabang and Tongasan) have completed their PCRA training. Learning Area Coordinator (LAC) Ma. Fe Portigo says she and her group hope to cover the entire learning area by the second quarter of 1998.

Two new hires recently joined Portigo’s team: Community Organizer (CO) Fermin de Mesa and Assistant CO Reggie Blanco. The two have begun laying the groundwork for the implementation of the PCRA, getting communities organized and preparing them for bigger responsibilities in the management of the area’s coastal resources. "The communities here are not highly organized yet," observes Portigo. "It takes time to build and strengthen community spirit."

Learning from Negros
Eleven Olango officials and Bantay Dagat (citizens’ sea watch group) representatives completed last January 28-30 a study and observation tour of Negros Oriental, another CRMP learning area which is widely perceived as a leader in coastal resource management in the Philippines. They visited Bais Bay, where they observed fish cage culture practices in Bais Bay, and Apo Island, site of a successful community-managed marine sanctuary.

The group expressed interest in duplicating Bais Bay’s fish cage project but, "because of the coming elections," the local officials among them were reluctant to commit to the establishment of a marine sanctuary in their communities, says Portigo. "They are afraid to lose their constituents’ vote."

Cultivating opportunity
Meanwhile, an ocular survey of the learning area was conducted jointly by CRMP’s enterprise development team and mangrove management team. Ruben Barraca, a seaweed expert who serves as consultant to the enterprise development team, noted the area’s potential for Eucheuma culture and has recommended the establishment of a community-level seaweed processing enterprise. The ‘seaweed triangle’ of Pangan-an, Caohagan and Hilotongan Islands is especially suitable for seaweed culture, according to Barraca.

The mangrove group saw potential for a community-based forest management agreement (CBFMA) scheme covering the mangrove area along the coast of Olango. CRMP mangrove specialist Calixto Yao reports that illegal cutting is common in the area, especially in a 100-hectare multiple use zone. He says the CBFMA, which has been successfully implemented in Bohol and other places, may be the instrument needed to protect Olango’s mangrove ecosystem, which provides shelter and food for the migratory birds that have already made the island world-famous as a bird sanctuary.

The mangrove team also recommends that the community be trained in appropriate silvicultural practices (pruning and thinning), which allow optimum tree growth. Other recommendations are: