Former DENR secretary pushes for 'no take marine reserve zone'
Former Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Angel Alcala recommended the "no take marine reserve zone" policy in order to rehabilitate and protect the remaining five percent of the country's coral reefs still in perfect condition. The successful rehabilitation of coral reefs will not only produce more catch but play a role in the tourism industry of one area.
Alcala, who is now with the Silliman University Angelo King Center of Research and Environmental Management (SUAKCREM) said with the "no take marine reserve zone" policy, fish will be allowed to grow in larger sizes and lay their eggs and breed in their habitat.
The former environment secretary was in Iloilo Sunday for the Coastal Zone Philippines 2: Sustainable Financing and Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Congress. The national congress was organized by the Marine Protected Areas Support Network (MSN) led by its coordinator Dr. Perry Alino.
The "no take marine reserve" policy will also help to maintain biodiversity and ecology of species. There are species of fish that depend on the existence of other species. A marine reserve should need to have more species of fish, said Alcala.
In the "no take zone marine reserve" policy, only 20 to 30 percent of the total marine reserve are prohibited for fishing. The 70 to 80 percent of the remaining marine reserve will be opened for non-destructive fishing activities. It is preferred that fishermen will only use hook and line to catch fish, Alcala said.
Alcala also explained that fish that are allowed to grow in larger sizes will come out of the marine reserve. They compete with each other in their habitat or will not like each other when they are already in bigger sizes. Thus, larger fish will seek shelter in the remaining 70-80 percent of the marine reserve, where fishermen are allowed to fish.
The "no take marine reserve zone" will also increase the catch of the fishermen by 10 percent. People can have two to 20 tons of fish every year. It is already a big bonus to the fishermen, said Alcala.
Apart from the increased catch, a successful "no take marine reserve zone" will likewise attract tourists. Tourists will be attracted in coral reefs with teeming fishes and the zone will be an ideal place for divers. However, Alcala stressed that they (tourists) should not be allowed to take anything from the marine reserve except photographs.
The government should use marine biodiversity "to attack problems like poverty through tourism." There are poor communities specifically in Negros Oriental where people earned and have their living because of tourism, said Alcala.
He further said that the rehabilitation and protection of marine reserve will depend on the community. Laws should be strictly implemented by concerned government agencies such as the local government, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), DENR, non-government organizations and peoples' organizations. Local communities can play a key role in biodiversity conservation and fisheries management. There should be a co-management, said Alcala.
Further, the former environment secretary said the government should already act on the issues concerning the country's marine reserve and reef fisheries management. Alcala lamented that there are already lots of talking but nothing has been done to accelerate the protection in both sea and land reserves.