Zamboanga Peninsula is one of the country’s tropical biodiversity hotspots and home to both protected landscapes and marine protected areas. According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are declared areas of the seas governed by specific guidelines to manage activities and conserve and protect the natural resources within the area. Despite these regulations, managing MPAs effectively and raising stakeholder awareness remain ongoing challenges in the country.
In line with this, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and the Misamis University Research Center (MURC) partnered to initiate the research project, “Management Effectiveness and Impact of the Locally Managed Marine Protected Areas in Zamboanga Peninsula: Basis for Management Enhancement and Policy Recommendations.” This project aims to empirically assess the management effectiveness and impact of the locally managed coastal and marine protected areas in Zamboanga Peninsula for management enhancement and policy recommendations.
At the project’s inception meeting on May 29, 2024, Project Leader Russel Galindo of MURC discussed the state of the country’s MPAs, necessary assessments, and potential interventions to enhance the management effectiveness of these locally managed MPAs. She emphasized the need to update the Philippine MPA Database with current data and information. Additionally, Dr. Galindo highlighted the importance of protecting marine habitats of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves, improving fisheries management, and addressing the decline in fish populations and degradation of coastal habitats.
The inception meeting was attended by Fisheries Policy and Science Consultant Jose Ingles of the Environmental Defense Fund and Professor Raul Bradecina of the Office of the Vice President for Research, Extension and External Affairs of the Partido State University as resource persons.
The project initially selected five locally managed MPAs based on size, particularly with the biggest core area and earliest date of establishment including one MPA in Misamis Occidental, one in Zamboanga del Norte, two in Zamboanga del Sur, and one in Zamboanga Sibugay. This project will assess the biophysical impacts on the coastal and marine ecosystem (i.e., land area and topography of MPAs, water quality, coral reefs, sea grass, and associated flora and fauna) and the economic and financial impact of the MPAs in the community are some of the objectives of the project.
MPAs are classified depending on the level of protection, mode of management, and establishment, i.e., (1) locally managed marine protected areas established by local government units under RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 and RA 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 to develop, manage, and conserve fisheries and aquatic resources; (2) MPAs established and managed under RA 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act to protect and maintain the country's natural biological and physical diversities; and (3) Fishery Refuge and Sanctuaries, wherein designated areas for fishing and or other activities are restricted and prohibited to human access.
The project started its implementation in May 2024 and is expected to run for two years. The DOST-PCAARRD and MU anticipate that this project could be the blueprint that will lead to the effective management of the locally managed MPAs in the country and contribute to more sustainable coastal and marine resources.
