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, Nalusuan, 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.

Hilutungan Marine Sanctuary ordinance reviewed
A management planning meeting was held last March 22 at the Cordova Municipal Library to review a proposed ordinance creating the Hilutungan Marine Sanctuary. The meeting was attended by members of the technical working group on the sanctuary, which includes representatives from the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the University of San Carlos, and the municipal and provincial fisheries and aquatic resource management councils.

Earlier, on March 12 and 13, a team from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, University of San Carlos, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and International Marinelife Alliance, surveyed the proposed sanctuary to assess its condition. Results of the survey will be submitted to the technical working group for planning purposes.

On March 24, the ordinance, which was drafted by the Hilutungan barangay (village) council in 1991, went through first reading before the Cordova municipal council. This is a first step in the adoption of the ordinance.

Olango prepares for Ocean Month
A “coastal resource management collaborators meeting” was held last March 20. The meeting was called to discuss preparations for the Month of the Ocean celebrations in Olango this coming May. It was attended by youth leaders, who will spearhead the Month of the Ocean activities in the Learning Area. Proposed activities include coastal cleanups, mangrove planting, film showing, and camping. A second meeting is scheduled for April 24.

May was declared by Presidential Proclamation No. 57 (January 9, 1999) as the “Ocean Month in the Philippines.§