Ecological Factors Affecting Apo Island

ECOLOGICAL FACTORS AFFECTING APO ISLAND

by Antonio C. Antonio

Apo Island is located in the middle of the Mindanao Sea, west of the Island of Siquijor and is 7 kilometers south of Negros Island.  Its total land area is 12 hectares and its total population, as of a 2010 census, is 918 individuals.  In 1994, Apo Island was declared a Marine Protected Area (MPA) and is the home to over 650 documented species of fish and estimated to have over 400 species of coral.  Its rich marine biodiversity made it a popular destination for scuba divers and snorkel swimmers.  But more than the popularity and fame of Apo Island is its history.

CHRONOLOGY OF CRITICAL AND SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN APO ISLAND:

·         1900s – Only 5 families lived in Apo Island.

·         1970s – Start of depletion of marine resources due to (1) dynamite fishing, (2) coral destruction by muro-ami practice (3) extensive use of tubli (poison).

·         1974 – Silliman University of Dumaguete City established a Marine Laboratory in Apo Island to monitor fishing practices and marine life.

·         1976 – Silliman University Marine Laboratory noticed declining fish stock and increasing coral reef damage in Apo.  Fish catch was pegged at 2 kilos per fisherman.

·         1979 – Marine conservation and educational program was introduced.

·         1982 – Silliman University Marine Laboratory went on full operation and a 0.45 kilometer long area was selected as a “no take” zone and the start of the increase of coral recovery was noted at 34.7%.

·         1984 – Population increased to 88 households and other livelihood projects (such as mat weaving) were introduced.

·         1985 – Marine sanctuary was established and voluntary user fees started to be collected.

·         1989 – Start of increase in fish catch.

·         1992 – NIPAS Act was enacted.

·         1993 – Silliman University terminates involvement in Apo Island.

·         1994 – Apo Island was declared a protected Landscape and Seascape or MPA (Marine Protected Area) under the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) and the national government established the Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB).

·         1997 – The PAMB was officially organized.  It ushered the beginning of improved marine resources management in the community level.

·         1998 – Apo Island was awarded Best Community-Based Coral Reef in the Philippines.

·         1999 – The current management system and collection of fees was instituted.

·         2000 – Local and foreign tourism began to increase… therefore, also increasing the livelihood opportunities in Apo Island.

·         2002 – Coral recovery was noted at 56.6% and fish catch increased to over 25 kilos per fisherman.

·         2003 – High birth rate was noted.

·         2004 – Family Planning was introduced.

·         2005 – Start of decline in birth rate.  The decline in birth rate reduced the stress on available marine resources for food and energy source.

·         2006 – Population increase to 120 households.  There was a slow-down in mat weaving activities due to the low supply of raw materials but shifted to t-shirt printing and selling as tourism grew.

·         2007 – Estimated number of households is 200 at 4.8 persons per household.  Additional building was constructed for secondary level education.

The most significant event, in my opinion, was in 1979 when Silliman University conducted a Marine Conservation and Educational Program Apo Island.  The program changed the mindsets and attitude of the residents of Apo Island towards their environment.  They realized the importance of a more structured and disciplined approach in the management of their fishery resources (declining fish stock and increasing coral reef damage).

ECOLOGICAL FACTORS AFFECTING APO ISLAND:

The marine biodiversity in Apo Island in the 1950s was very rich.  In the 1970s, however, demand for fish increased and the fisherfolks in Apo Island resorted to dynamite fishing, the muro-ami system and the use of tubli (poison) to cope with the increase in demand.  This resulted in the depletion of marine resources.

Muro-ami, otherwise known as reef-hunting, is a crude and destructive form of fishing.  It also has negative social impact as it exploits children.  This practice eventually destroys the corals which take a long time to regenerate.  Dynamite fishing, like muro-ami is also destructive to the coral reef.  It should be highlighted that corals provide food and energy for the fish population.  The destruction and absence of healthy corals forces the fish population to transfer/migrate elsewhere.  Over fishing also contributes to the depletion of the fish population.  Such disturbance and stress contributed largely to the decline in fish catch in Apo Island.

The timely enforcement of a “no take” zone in 1982 ushered-in the start of the recovery of the coral reef in Apo Island.  Gradually, as the reef is undisturbed and no longer subjected to stress, the corals recovered and regenerated.

Just my little thoughts…

REFERENCES:

·         The Philippines (http://www.prem-online.org/archive/19/doc/Country%20Report%20Apo%20Island%20_Philippines.pdf)

·         Apo Island (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apo_Island)

·         Community-Based Marine Protected Areas (http://oneocean.org/overseas/200212/community_based_marine_protected_areas.html)

·         Muro Ami Fishing (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Meaning_of_muro_ami_fishing)

RESEARCHED MATERIAL (Wikipedia):

Apo Island is a volcanic island covering 12 hectares in land area, 7 kilometers off the southeastern tip of Negros Island and 30 kilometers south of the Negros Oriental capital of Dumaguete City in the Philippines.  The name "Apo" was derived from the Filipino word which literally means, "Grandchild".

The marine habitat around the island is a Marine reserve, protected by the National Integrated Protected Area Act (NIPA) and under the jurisdiction of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). It has become a popular dive site and snorkeling destination with tourists. There are two resorts on Apo Island, both of which have their own dive centers: Apo Island Beach Resort and Liberty's Lodge. There is a ranger station and a lighthouse.

The island is under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Dauin, Negros Oriental, and is one of the municipality's 23 barangays. As of the 2010 census, the island has a population of 918.

Apo Island is located off the southeastern tip of Negros Island, 7 kilometers from the town of Zamboanguita, and 25 kilometers south of the Negros Oriental capital Dumaguete City. Extending approximately 1.5 km from north to south and 1 km from east to west, the island has a land area of just 12 hectares and rises to a height of 120 meters above sea level at its highest point.  It can be reached by a 30-minute motorized boat ride from the village of Malatapay, Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental..

Apo Island is one of the world's best known community-organized marine sanctuaries, and as such it has been well documented by the global science community. The project was started when Dr. Angel Alcala, a marine scientist from the Silliman University Marine Laboratory introduced to the local fisher-folk the importance of creating a marine sanctuary in the area. Initially, there was hesitation on the part of the locals; but after a three-year dialogue, Dr. Alcala was able to convince the island community to establish the sanctuary. Assisted by the staff of the SU Marine Laboratory in 1982, the local fishermen selected an area along 450 meters of shoreline and extending 500 meters from shore as the sanctuary site. Since then, the project initiated on the island led to the creation of hundreds of other marine sanctuaries in the Philippines.

At present, the island is home to over 650 documented species of fish and estimated to have over 400 species of corals. Most of the Philippines' 450 species of coral can be found here, from tiny bubble corals to huge gorgonian sea fans and brain corals. Visitors and tourists pay a fee to enter Apo Island and to snorkel or dive in the marine sanctuary there, these fees are used to keep the sanctuary clean and in good condition.

In 2003, Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium opened a Wild Reef exhibit based on Apo Island's surrounding reef and marine sanctuary. In 2008, Sport Diver Magazine listed Apo Island as one of the top 100 diving spots in the world.