TUBBATAHA

REEF

LOCATION

Middle of theSulu Sea, approximately 50km

southeast of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan

TUBBATAHA REEF
NATIONAL PARK
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park lies in a
unique position in the centre of the Sulu
Sea, and includes the Tubbataha and
Jessie Beazley Reefs. It protects an area of
almost 100,000 hectares of high quality
marine habitats containing three atolls
and a large area of deep sea.

BIODIVERSITY

The reefs support 374

species of corals, almost
90% of all coral species in
the Philippines.

BIODIVERSITY
The reefs and seas also support
eleven species of cetaceans,
eleven species of sharks, and an
estimated 479 species of fish,
including the iconic and
threatened Napoleon wrasse.

BIODIVERSITY

Supports the highest

population densities
known in the world for
white tip reef sharks.

BIODIVERSITY

Pelagic species such as jacks, tuna, barracuda,

manta rays, whale sharks and different
species of sharks also are common

BIODIVERSITY

Resting and juvenile development area for

two species of endangered marine turtles:
green turtles and hawksbill turtles.

BIODIVERSITY
There are seven
breeding species of
seabirds and Bird Islet
and South Islet are
breeding grounds to
seven resident and
endangered breeding
species of seabirds.

BIODIVERSITY

The critically endangered

Christmas Island
Frigatebird is also a
regular visitor here.

GLOBAL AND ECOLOGICAL

SIGNIFICANCE
Tubbatahas position at the centre of the Coral
Triangle means it has a key role to play in
marine
biodiversity
conservation
and,
ultimately, in keeping our oceans alive. It
plays a key role in the process of reproduction,
dispersal and colonization by marine
organisms in the whole Sulu Sea system, and
helps support fisheries outside its boundaries.

GLOBAL AND ECOLOGICAL

SIGNIFICANCE
It is a natural laboratory for the study of
ecological and biological processes,
displaying the ongoing process of coral
reef formation, and supporting a large
number of marine species dependant on
reef ecosystems.

GLOBAL AND ECOLOGICAL

SIGNIFICANCE
It offers a demonstration site to study
the responses of a natural reef system
in relation to the impacts of climate
change.

THREATS

Illegal Use

One current problem is that

Topshells, the protected shell
speciesTrochus niloticus, are being
stolen at night by people entering
the park by boat from mainland
Palawan. The Topshells are sold
and made into shirt buttons,
jewellery and ornaments.
Topshells are important to marine
ecosystems because they act as
natural cleaners of corals and
serve as food for other marine life.

THREATS
Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS)
In 2007, the first outbreak of crown-of-thorns
starfish(COTS)
(Acanthaster
planci)
was
observed in Tubbataha. According to a study
conducted in 2010, the Crown-of-thorns in
Tubbataha are a native species that propagate in
deep water and migrate to shallow water as they
grow. Although the COTS population has
slowly declined since 2010, outbreaks need to be
continually controlled by manual removal and
sodium bisulfate injections. According to the
study similar outbreaks may occur within the
next 2 to 4 years.

THREATS

Marine Debris

The volume of debris in our oceans increases every

year. Plastic garbage is a threat to marine animals as
it is often mistaken for food, which can cause injury
or death. Birds nests in Tubbataha are frequently
built from plastic food wraps, while abandoned
fishing lines made from nylon have caused the death
of numerous seabirds. The Marine Park Rangers
conduct regular surface water and coastal cleanups
and non-biodegradable garbage is transported to the
landfill site in Puerto Princesa City.

THREATS

Climate Change

Human-induced climate change is perhaps the

single biggest threat to the future of Tubbataha.
Under stress, such as increased water temperatures
and ocean acidification, corals may expel their
zooxanthellae, which leads to a lighter or
completely white appearance, termed bleached.
Although it may appear so, when a coral bleaches,
it is not dead. Corals can survive a bleaching event,
but they are under stress and are at risk of dying.

THREATS

Other threats include:

Shipping, Marine litter, Fishing,

Marine pollution and Oil
exploration.

CONSERVATION
EFFORTS
In 1988, upon the endorsement of the Provincial
Government of Palawan, President Corazon
Aquino declaredTubbataha a National Marine
Park. In 1992, the site was listed as aUNESCO
World Heritage site.

CONSERVATION
EFFORTS
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is legally
protected through national protected areas
legislation and a range of other
environmental legislation which enable
action to be taken against a wide range of
threats. The implementation of the
legislation is assisted by clear delegation
to the management authority for the
property.

RELATED NEWS
A Year Hence Justice for Tubbataha Undelivered
ByTubbataha Management Office Published on January 17, 2014 11:28 am

A year after the tragic grounding of the USS Guardian in the Tubbataha
Reefs, justice remains unserved.
Exactly a year ago a US warship struck the reefs in South Atoll of the
Tubbataha Reefs in the Sulu Sea causing a costly two-month salvage
operation. The tragedy left a 2, 345.67 sqm reef area scarred and marred
for a long time to come.
However, a petition filed against the US government by other concerned
groups has apparently stalled the process. In a letter dated 19 Sep 2013, the
DFA said that it would be prudent to wait until the petition on the Writ of
Kalikasan is resolved before the claim is pursued to avoid legal and
diplomatic issues. (Full

RELATED NEWS
USS Guardian relied on 'inaccurate' digital maps of Tubbataha - intel
agency
August 14, 2013 10:13pm

A US Navy minesweeper that ran aground on the Tubbataha Reef last January
carried digital nautical charts containing inaccurate data placing one of the
world's best known dive sites approximately eight nautical miles east-southeast of
its actual location, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) report
Wednesday.
Citing documents made public based on a Freedom of Information Request, the
state-run PNA said the US government's National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
(NGA) discovered the error during an initial review of the nautical charts supplied
to the USS Guardian.

Although our General DNC holdings are consistent with our hard copy charts
and displays the reef in the correct location, our Coastal DNC was incorrect, NGA
director Letitia Long said in an unclassified memorandum to the US Navy's chief
of naval operations.

RELATED NEWS
Shell Philippines Tubbataha Advocacy Campaign won
Philippines Quill Award
ByTubbataha Management OfficePublished on November 15, 2013 6:57 pm

Shell Philippines Exploration received the Award of Excellence during the

Philippines Quill Awards 2013 held at the Crowne Plaza on 11 November
2013 for its work, Beauty, Bounty and Shared Heritage: 25 Years of Protecting
Tubbataha. The Quill award is given by the International Association of
Business Communicators in recognition ofexemplary communications
practices in the private sector.In the photo: Receiving the Award of
Excellence for Beauty, Bounty and Shared Heritage: 25 years of Protecting
Tubbataha, are (L-R) Shell Philippines Exploration Social Performance
Manager, Sankie Simbulan, Managing Director, Baste Quiniones, Tubbataha
Protected Area Superintendent, Angelique Songco, Pilipinas Shell
Foundation Programme Manager, Marvi Trudeau, and Shell Philippines
Exploration Upstream Communications Manager, Paulo Gavino

TRIVIA
One of the Philippines oldest
ecosystems

The name TUBBATAHA is a

Samal word for long reef
exposed at low tide. Samals are
seafaring people of the Sulu See.

TRIVIA
Since divers discovered Tubbataha in
the late 1970s, it has become
recognised as one of the most
remarkable coral reefs on our planet.
The CNN travel website, cnngo.com,
ranks it among the top eight dive
sites in the world.

Species Found
in Tubbataha
Reef

 600 species of fish

360 species of corals (about half of all coral
species in the world)
11 species of sharks
13 species of dolphins & whales
100 species of birds
And also nesting Hawksbill & Green sea turtles

Fire Coral
Millepora sp.
Millepora alcicornis
(LC)

Cauliflower Corals
Pocillopora sp.
Pocillopora damicornis
(LC)
Pocillopora inflata (VU)
P. meandrina
Pocillopora verrucosa
(LC)

Montipora
Montipora capitata
(NT) rice coral
Montipora capricornis
cap coral
Montipora digitata
finger coral
Montipora
aequituberculata
Montipora dilatata
Montipora foliosa

Acropora

Acropora
Acropora
Acropora
Acropora
Acropora
Acropora
Acropora
Acropora
Acropora
Acropora
Acropora
Acropora
Acropora

hyacinthus (NT)
aspera (VU)
cervicornis (CR)
cytherea (LC)
grandis
loripes (NT)
millepora (NT)
nasuta (NT)
palifera
palmata (CR)
prolifera
pulchra (LC)
secale

Porites
Porites astreoides
Porites compressa
(LC)
Porites furcata
Porites lobata (NT)
Porites nodifera
Porites porites

Platygyra
Platygyra lamellina
Platygyra daedalea

Honeycomb Coral
Diploastrea heliopora
(NT)

Leptoseris
Leptoseris hawaiiensis
Leptoseris gardineri

Pachyseris
Pachyseris speciosa
Pachyseris rugosa

Green Sea Turtle

Chelonia mydas
endangered

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Eretmochelys
imbricata
Critically endangered

Reef Manta Ray

Manta alfredi
Vulnerable

Devil Ray
Mobula mobular or
Mobular diabolus
Endangered

Sting Ray
Himantura sp.

Lionfish
Pterios sp.

Clownfish
Amphiprion sp.

Giant Trevally
Caranx ignobilis

Hammerhead Shark
Sphyrna lewini
scalloped
hammerhead
endangered

Whitetip Reef Shark

Triaenodon obesus
Near threatened

Blacktip Reef Shark

Carcharhinus melanopterus
Near threatened

Whale Shark
Rhincodon typus
Vulnerable

Tiger Shark
Galeocerdo cuvier
Near threatened

Barracuda
Sphyraena sp.

Moorish Idol
Zanclus cornutus

Humphead Wrasse
Cheilinus undulatus
Mameng
Endangered

Parrotfish
Scarcus sp.

Moray Eel
Gymnothorax sp.

Sweet Lips Fish

Plectorhinchus sp.

Crown-of-thorns Starfish
Acanthaster planci
Coral-eating starfish

Bear Paw Clam

Hippopus hippopus
Conservation
Dependent

Scaly Clam
Tridacna squamosa
Conservation
Dependent

Giant Clam
Tridacna gigas
Vulnerable

Boring Clam
Tridacna crocea
Least Concern

Christmas Island
Frigatebird
Fregata andrewsi
Critically endangered

REFERENCES
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_caused_the_detor
iation_of_the_Tubbataha_Reef?#
slide=3
http://tubbatahareef.org/wp/Threats_to_Tubbataha
http://www.tubbatahareef.org/home