Case study on Philippine Coral Reefs

(25 points)

Read and watch the learning materials in Module 5 and answer the following:

1. What is the significance of the Coral Triangle? (5 points)

 The coral Triangle has an integral part in maintaining a global center of marine
biodiversity which contains the highest diversity of marine species and sustains the
livelihoods of more than 120 million people and animals as it contains 76% of the
world’s coral species by people rely on coral reefs that provide income, food, habitats
for tunas, whales, dolphins, porpoises, dugongs, sharks fee, breeds, and protection
during storms.

2. List down 5 benefits (specific ecosystem services) provided by coral reef ecosystems. (5 points)

 With an area of over 6 millionkm^2 and a large coastal population, the Coral Triangle
has provided various benefits such as providing coastal protection as they become
barriers to protect the shoreline from waves and storms. With this, the coral reefs
reduce and buffer wave energy against floods, waves, and storm surges which helps in
preventing loss of life, property, damage, and erosion.
 Aside from coastal protection, coral reefs become the ‘rainforests of the sea’ that
provide biodiversity by being a source of food, shelter, an area for reproducing, and a
nook and cranny for the organisms’ offspring.
 Due to their high biodiversity, coral reefs contain chemical compounds that are
developed into medicine and treatments for cancer, HIV, human bacterial infections,
heart diseases, and other viruses.
 Coral reefs also contribute to tourism and the economy as it boosts the revenue of 36
billion to the global economy each year because of their magnificent underwater views
and diverse species. This supports people’s jobs in restaurants, hotels, tour operations,
transportation, recreation, and souvenirs.
 Lastly, coral reefs provide for food production due to the polyps of reef-building corals
that contain microscopic algae called zooxanthellae, which exist with the animal in a
symbiotic relationship that provides nutrients and oxygen.

3. List down 5 threats to Philippine coral reefs. (5 points)

 One of the most impactful threats to coral reefs is destructive fishing such as cyanide
poisoning and dynamite fishing that destroys over 200 square feet of coral reefs. This
causes the reefs to be shattered and kills the coral tissues in adjacent colonies.
 Bycatch has disastrous effects in the Coral Triangle, especially on aquatic species such as
sharks, and marine turtles that are in danger of extinction. This causes non-target fish
species to get caught in gillnets on longlines and in trawls and then get discarded back
into the sea.
  Climate change also affects coastal ecosystems through thermal stress that contributes
to coral bleaching and infectious diseases. This causes seawater acidification to
endanger marine animals that also negatively impacts the local livelihood.
 Aside from climate change, coral reefs are also vulnerable to predators such as fish,
sharks, marine worms, barnacles, crabs, and snails that prey on the soft inner tissues of
coral polyps.
 Lastly, recreational activities also impact coral reefs through excessive direct contact
with people who walk, touch, kick, standing on coral reefs which causes the breakage of
coral colonies and tissue damage.

4. Watch the video in the module. How did the community in Apo Island ensure the
sustainability of its fisheries and coral reef? What factors contributed to the success of the
program in Apo Island? (5 points)

 Due to the depletion of fish stocks on Apo Island, a marine biologist suggested a solution
thus the fishing villages tried a new way to restore the number of fish by setting 10% of
the island as a ‘no-fishing marine sanctuary’ as guarded the area for 3 years. By that
time, the supply of fish was overflowing, and the coral reefs had a much better condition
than before. Because of this, the community wanted to continue their method of no
fishing zone and enacted more guidelines in fishing such as only Apo Islanders will be
allowed fish around the island and prohibiting destructive fishing methods.
 I think the success of the marine sanctuary in Apo Island was because they were able to
learn new ways to solve their problem. They were guided and much more specifically,
they were able to sustain their groundworks by maintaining proper guidelines and didn’t
stop from doing what they wanted and needed for the island. From that, they used the
success of the marine sanctuary to their advantage by boosting tourism, engaging
children to participate in their programs and to learn it as well, and reinforcing addition
guidelines that ensure the sustainability of the island.

5. Identify one law in the Philippines that aims to protect the coral reef ecosystem. Cite one
provision of that law (please specify the section in that law) that specifies either an action to be
taken by the government or an action that is prohibited to protect the coral reef. (5 points)

 The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 or The Republic Act No. 8550 is an Act providing
for the development, management, and conservation of fisheries and aquatic resources,
integrating all laws pertinent thereto, and for other purposes.
 SECTION 91. Ban on Coral Exploitation and Exportation. — It shall be unlawful for any
person or corporation to gather, possess, sell or export ordinary precious and semi-
precious corals, whether raw or in processed form, except for scientific or research
purposes.
 Violations of this provision shall be punished by imprisonment from six (6) months to
two (2) years and a fine from Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) to Twenty thousand
pesos (20,000.00), or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court,
and forfeiture of the subject corals, including the vessel and its proper disposition.
 SECTION 92. Ban on Muro-Ami Other Methods and Gear Destructive to Coral Reefs and
Other Marine Habitat. — It shall be unlawful for any person, natural or juridical, to fish
 with gear method that destroys coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other fishery marine life
habitat as may be determined by the Department. “Muro-Ami” and any of its variation,
and such similar gear and methods that require diving, other physical or mechanical acts
to pound the coral reefs and other habitat to entrap, gather or catch fish and other
fishery species are also prohibited.
 The person or corporation who violates this provision shall suffer a penalty of two (2)
years to ten (10) years imprisonment and a fine of not less than One hundred thousand
pesos (P100,000.00) to Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) or both such fine
and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court. The substance taken from its marine
habitat shall be confiscated.