Sagay Marine Reserve finalist in 2007 Outstanding Marine Protected Area
The Sagay Marine Reserve is one of the nine finalists for the 2007 Outstanding Marine Protected Area (MPA) Awards. Sagay Marine Reserve is the only entry from Western Visayas.
The Sagay Marine Reserve covers 32,000 hectares of coastal water. It is rich in coral reefs and inhabited by blue crabs, sea urchins, abalones, sea cucumbers and various sea shells. Of the 32,000 hectares of coastal waters, some 1,000 hectares within the marine protected areas was set aside as "no take" areas.
The average fish catch around the area increased from 3.27 kilos per fisherman per day in 1997 to 6.41 kilos in 2005.
From 1997 to 1999, there is also a noted increase in the catch of sustainable fishermen in the area. The increase in catch is estimated to reach P18 million. In the same period, Sagay City spent P8 million for the protection of marine reserve. For the past years, the local government generated P1.9 million from the collection of resource use fees.
In 1995, the Sagay Marine Reserve was declared as marine reserve. Prior to its declaration as a marine reserve, it was still considered as a fish sanctuary in 1983. The declaration was made based on Republic Act 9106 as part of the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS).
The Sagay Marine Reserve is a well-established MPA because of the participation and commitment of the local government to protect the area. The local government efficiently enforced fishery laws. They had sea borne patrols and exerted efforts on the registration of fishers as well as their boats.
In 1997, Sagay Marine Reserve won in the Galing Pook Award for Innovation. It is one of the first local government unit that initiated a MPA. They protected fisheries and different habitats like mangroves and sea grass beds. The marine reserve now serves as a learning area for MPA managers, academe, research, institutions and other local government units.
The other finalists in the 2007 Outstanding MPA awards are the Buluan Marine Sanctuary in Buluan, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; Iniban Marine Reserve in Ayungon, Negros Oriental; Harka Piloto Reef Fish Sanctuary in Calapan City, Mindoro Oriental; Handumon/Libaon Marine Sanctuary in Jandayan Island, Gestafe, Bohol; Agsalin Fish Sanctuary in Barangay Agsalin, Gloria, Oriental Mindoro; Twin Rocks Marine Sanctuary in Barangay San Teodoro, Mabini, Batangas, MiSSTa Marine Protected Area in Barangays Militar, Suyod, Sto. Nino and Tagulo in Tukuran, Zamboaga del Sur and Capandan Fish Sanctuary in Capandan, Cortes, Surigao del Sur.
The winners will be announced next month. The awarding ceremony will be held in Manila.