JBLFMU advocates for environmental protection, preservation
As they say, we generate our own environment. We get exactly what we deserve.
Looking at a long-term prospect, the John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLFMU) has taken another step in a bid to conserve and rehabilitate the depleted resources of Nueva Valencia municipal waters for a sustainable manner.
And yes, it was done through the active participation of the community and the concerned institutions.
Very recently, JBLFMU spearheaded the launching of the Igang Bay Marine Sanctuary, which they will be co-managed by the local government unit of Nueva Valencia and with the technical assistance from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
The Igang Marine Sanctuary is located at Brgy. Poblacion, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras.
The Marine Sanctuary is established in front of the private beach resort owned by the John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University, the Villa Igang and Puerto del Mar Beach Resort.
According to Dr. Ronald Raymond Sebastian, chief executive officer of JBLFMU, it has an area of 28.03 hectares with a buffer zone of 25 meters surrounding the area.
The area of the marine sanctuary is a traditional fishing ground for the local fisherfolks from the municipality of Nueva Valencia, especially the immediate barangays of Poblacion, Igang, Pandaraonan, Sto. Domingo, Magamay, and Dolores.
There are more less 500 fisherfolks dependent on fishing in the area.
Perimeter of the core and buffer zones will be properly identified and delineated through placement of marker buoys to determine the boundaries of the sanctuary.
There will be no fishing and other related activities in the core zone except for research purposes; while in the buffer zone, fishing is not allowed at least a year from its establishments or depending on the result of the result of the assessment.
The area also serves for recreational activities of the community such as boating and swimming as beach resorts line the area.
Because of the fishing ban within the marine sanctuary, it is expected that families dependent on fishing for their livelihood will be affected.
“That’s why (JBLFMU research coordinator) Dr. Melchor Magramo is always here to teach them on other livelihoods that they could do,” Sebastian said.
He added, “Actually, gamay man lang nga portion ang covered sang maritime sanctuary. It’s not the whole sea area. It’s part of the allotted sanctuary at least we could preserve the corals and the fish. At the same, we teach them the proper maintenance of the environment. At times, it’s not only the fisherfolks but we tourists, we contribute a lot because we bring our food and we just throw them in the sea. At least, we will know because some of the foods that we bring are good for the fishes but some maybe dangerous.”
Strict coastal law enforcement will be effected to curtail illegal fishing activities in both established zones.
Meanwhile, DENR executive regional director Julian Amador said that while the marine sanctuary could hurt the fisherfolk but it would only be for a short.
“In layman’s term, the people could only get the interest of what they deposit – like fish, shells, corals.
But in due time, fish could be harvested in the area. It’s a little sacrifice for a long-term sustainability,” Amador said.
If there will be no marine sanctuary, he added that people could just haphazardly get their catch without looking at the long-term effect.
“By declaring that it’s a marine sanctuary, our marine resources will be conserved and rehabilitated,” he said.
Aside from the Igang Marine Sanctuary, other marine sanctuary adopted at their level are Taklong, also in Guimaras, and the Sagay Marine Reserve in Negros.
But there are marine sanctuaries at the municipal level, Amador said adding that DENR could assistance, especially technical assistance on pollution and awareness; trainings; and surveys for such purpose.
The establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is now one of the key strategies of Integrated Coastal Management and gaining worldwide recognition as an effective and efficient habitat and fisheries management tool.
Common goals of MPAs are the protection and rehabilitation of critical habitats (e.g. coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove forest), promote sustainable use of resources, replenish depleted stock, education and research, and eco-tourism.
It is considered a generic term that includes all declared areas governed by specific rules or guidelines in order to protect and manage activities within the enclosed areas.
The authority to establish and manage MPAs is held by three institutions – the local government unit, DENR, DA-BFAR, duly supported by the stakeholders and surrounding communities.
