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.

Seaweed Shows Promise

The enterprise development team test-planted last May 20 the seaweed species Eucheuma cottonii, which the team is eyeing as an alternative source of income for fishers in the Olango, Cebu CRMP Learning Area. The test planting was conducted around Pangan-an Island where "there is a problem with illegal fishing, probably the worst in the Olango area," Learning Area Coordinator Ma. Fe Portigo said. Thirteen families are participating in the test planting. These include coral gatherers and former blast fishers. CRMP provided the materials for planting, while the participating fishers provided the labor.

"What we have right now are nursery operations only," said Portigo. "With this, we hope to propagate seedlings for distribution to project beneficiaries." Eventually, the seaweed farmers’ produce will be sold to FMC, a seaweed processing firm. "The demand for Eucheuma cottonii in the international market is said to be about 100,000 MT per year," Portigo noted. "Present production comes from Tawi Tawi." Current price is P12-17 per kilo (dry weight).

The project uses the fruiting bag technique to reduce seedling loss. With this technique, one kilo of seedlings can produce three kilos of dried seaweeds.

The enterprise development team is also stepping up preparations for the operation of the Olango Birds and Seascape Tour, which it market-tested early this year. An ecotourism workshop for the women and paddlers of Suba, the barangay (village) that has jurisdiction over the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, was held last June 3 "to familiarize members of the community with the hospitality industry," said Portigo. Discussions focused on tourism, its positive as well as negative effects on the community, and the identification of possible types of tourism services that the community may undertake. Monette Flores, CRMP’s enterprise development specialist, facilitated the workshop.

A second workshop, this time on community tourism planning and product development, was held last June 19. The 30 people who attended the workshops had definite views about how they want tourism in their community to develop, Portigo observed. "They want to sell product and present cultural shows. They do not want tourism to bring ‘bad influence’, such as ‘drugs, prostitution and sexy dresses,’ to their community. They do not want jet skis and other noisy modes of transporation. And they want to put up their own tourism association."

Portigo said they plan to launch the tour in time for the start of the next bird migration season in September.

PCRA Completed
The Olango Learning Area graduated its last batch of trainees last June 11. The trainees represented the island villages of Hilutungan and Caohagan. "We will now start to validate results and follow through on issues that were raised during the training," said LAC Portigo. The second draft of the Learning Area’s coastal environmental profile has been completed, with some help from the University of San Carlos Marine Biology Section. It is expected to be finished by the third quarter of this year.

Meanwhile, four of the seven barangays in the Learning Area have established their Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils (FARMCs).

Youth Achievers’ Night
The young people of San Vicente took centerstage last May as the community held its "Youth Achievers’ Night," a variety show designed to promote public awareness of coastal and other environmental issues. The show featured environmental songs and original drama and comedy skits performed by the youth themselves. It attracted 2,000 people from San Vicente and neighboring barangays. The entire show has since been invited by impressed members of the audience to perform in the other barangays, said Portigo. §