OVER SEAS -- The Online Magazine for Sustainable Seas

Davao del Sur

The focus of CRMP’s efforts in Davao del Sur are six municipalities -- Padada, Hagonoy, Sulop, Malalag, Sta. Maria and Digos -- covering an area of 85,948 hectares with a population of 56,514 persons and a coastline stretching to 66 km. Five expansion sites have been identified -- Sta. Cruz, Malita, Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos and Sarangani Island -- covering an area of 190,499 hectares and a coastline of 191 kms. Majority of the residents in these coastal areas are engaged in fishing and derive their income mainly from fishing the nearby 65-sq km Malalag Bay. Intense exploitation of marine resources has caused the degradation of the coastal environment. Malalag Bay’s live corals once covered 1,020 hectares -- this area has been reduced to a mere 113.4 hectares, primarily because of the prevalence of illegal fishing practices but also partly because of chemical wastes from agriculture and fishponds. To reverse the trend, the government has imposed, since 1992, a gradual banning of compressors. A 50-hectare fish sanctuary has been established in the area, and public awareness of coastal issues is growing.

Bay-wide FARMC formed
The various municipal fisheries and aquatic resource management councils (FARMC) in the Malalag Bay arae have formed an integrated FARMC. Officers were elected and inducted last January 28. They will hold their first regular meeting next month. "We hope this will lead to the unification of ordinances in the Bay," says CRMP's Johnette Delegero.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the holding in March of an ecology seminar for teachers. A "roadshow" is also being planned to present CRMP's program to the municipal councils in the learning area and the Provincial Board of Davao del Sur.§