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In June 2009, Unesco’s World Heritage Committee voted to extend the Philippines’ Tubbataha Reefs marine site, increasing its area to 96,828 hectares

Chelidonura sp.: A glimpse of Tubbataha’s underwater diversity.

SPOTLIGHT | Site extension in 2009 The Philippines’ Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park: A World Heritage marine site triples in size Unesco’s Marine Program The World Heritage Marine ver since 1993, when Tubbataha was first in- Beazley Reef, be included in a future extension. Five kilo- certed in our efforts to protect them for future genera- in enforcing protection laws, both financially and logisti- Program was launched in 2005 by

scribed on Unesco’s World Heritage List, enthusi- meters (3.1 miles) long by three kilometers wide, tions. But Tubbataha is an example of what the country cally. Vast stretches of ocean already made Tubbataha KHOO Unesco’s World Heritage E asts have dreamed of one day enlarging the Philip- Beazley Reef has more soft corals than the park’s other can achieve, and what the country should do. Today, it is difficult to patrol. ‘‘Now we have to work even harder and Committee, and set three goals to pine site. That hope became reality last June, when two atolls. Spotted dolphins —unseen in the old park’s the pride of the nation.’’ spend more money to cover alarger area,’’ she notes. help save our marine heritage. The EUNICE Unesco’s World Heritage Committee formally ratified the boundaries —abound, and the reef’s crevices and cav- The enlarged property better protects endangered spe- ‘‘Fortunately, our Tubbataha Protected Area Manage- first was to add more marine sites extension of the site, tripling its size. erns provide countless niches for marine life. cies, since it provides more space, free from human dis- ment Board realizes this is the price we must pay.’’ to the World Heritage List. Of the Tubbataha is one of the nation’s oldest ecosystems, In 2006, the Philippine government enlarged the park turbance, for them to roam, feed and perform their ecolo- Preserving Tubbataha, however, is not a single effort nearly 900 World Heritage sites, its largest coral reef, first natural World Heritage site and to include Jessie Beazley Reef, and Tubbataha’s total gical functions. Illegal fishers had been using the sandbar on the part of any lone group of directors; the entire only 41 are inscribed for marine only natural marine park. Its remote location has kept its area jumped from 33,200 hectares (about 82,000 in Beazley Reef as a rest station before entering the park country must commit to fighting the threats the park values. Another goal is capacity- reefs largely intact. No permanent inhabitants are al- acres) to 96,828 hectares. At its clandestinely at night. ‘‘With the ex- faces. Tubbataha may be the pride of the nation, but it is building. Unesco wants to help site lowed on them, except during fishing season, when lo- 33rd Session in Seville last year, ‘Tubbataha is an example of pansion, we can arrest them there, also a national challenge. And here is where the new managers better protect the cals can build temporary shelters. Lagoons, seagrass the Unesco World Heritage Com- which was impossible before,’’ ex- commitment comes in. Something has changed in the values of their sites, and does this beds and coral islands support asignificant number of mittee voted to extend the Tubba- what the country can achieve, plains Angelique Songco, Tubba- national mind-set, and government (from the local to the by having them share their marine species dependent on reef ecosystems, ensur- taha World Heritage site, using the and what it should do’ taha’s site manager. Visitors under- provincial and the national level), the private sector and expertise and experience. Later ing aconstant presence of larger marine fauna such as same criteria that got Tubbataha stand the benefits of increased the citizenry are all involved. ‘‘They know we have to this year, Unesco will bring all tiger sharks, cetaceans, turtles and schools of bar- inscribed nearly 20 years ago; these include superlative conservation efforts going on in the widened park, too. manage our resources holistically, or it won’t work,’’ says marine site managers together for racuda and other pelagic fish. Together with diverse vari- natural phenomena, ecological processes, biodiversity Adds Songco, ‘‘Tourists are witnesses of how the protec- Navarro-Tolentino, who participated in the extension the first time. The final goal is eties of seabirds, they make Tubbataha alaboratory for and threatened species. ted Tubbataha atolls have continued to flourish, while the project. Such an integrated, cooperative approach was communications: raising the study of ecological and biological processes, includ- The expansion was possible thanks to anew Jessie Beazley Reef, only 13 nautical miles away but un- not possible before, she adds: ‘‘Our people know we perceptions of the world’s marine ing coral-reef formation. Tubbataha lies in the Sulu Sea, awakening on the part of the Philippines toward pre- protected, sank into degradation.’’ The park’s reef sys- can’t do things like we used to anymore. And this knowl- heritage to better engage the in what is known as the Coral Triangle, a hub of coral di- serving the environment. The country’s Ambassador to tems are intimately connected, and leaving Beazley Reef edge is thanks to Unesco. Unesco is wonderful in moti- public and the worldwide ocean versity. The park supports 374 species of coral, almost France and Permanent Delegate to Unesco Rora Nav- vulnerable would have meant losing advantages from con- vating our people to be conscious of our responsibility of community. This is carried out, in 90 percent of all types found in the Philippines. arro-Tolentino says that Tubbataha has become symbol- serving the rest of the Tubbataha site. having Tubbataha as a World Heritage site. When aware- part, through the Tides of Time At the time of Tubbataha’s inscription in 1993, the In- ic of this new attitude. ‘‘For along time, we didn’t give Songco calls the Tubbataha extension a double- ness is elevated, there’s ahigher commitment from the program. For more information, ternational Union for Conservation of Nature recommen- much attention to the resources we have —marine re- edged sword. While it has increased the impact of the population. To accomplish this nationwide is a wonderful visit http://whc.unesco.org J.J. ded that a nearby islet with an important reef, Jessie sources, particularly,’’ she says. ‘‘We haven’t been con- conservation campaign, it has brought more challenges objective for us for the future.’’ J.J.

EXPLORING | Diving and more Swiss watchmaker’s auctions benefit World Heritage sites Whales, dolphins and tropical fish in one of Asia’s most isolated spots In February last year, Jaeger- Antoine LeCoultre, named after the he Zodiac pulls away from the mother profusion of other sea creatures in an envir- tration of white-tipped reef sharks, one of a around the islands are the main attraction, LeCoultre held an online auction of manufacture’s founder —for the first boat, picking up speed as it zips onment as extraordinary as the Great Barri- dozen species found in park waters. In addi- the new open ocean areas —with water up the prototype of the Master time last year. This auction raised T across the Sulu Sea. At first there’s er Reef and other underwater icons. tion to the more placid varieties —who tend to 2,000 meters deep —are where visitors Compressor Extreme W-Alarm Tides £12,600; proceeds will go to the nothing but endless sky and water in blues ‘‘Nearly all the diving is wall reefs, so the to be curious but wary of humans —Tubba- are more likely to see whales, manta rays, of Time model, specially created for Sundarbans World Heritage site in barely distinguishable from one another. But drop-offs are long, allowing for the sighting taha also harbors more dangerous species, dolphins and other large pelagics. the Tides of Time series —a India. ‘‘We chose India because it’s with seabirds hovering nearby, land is some- of many different species of fish and cor- like the potentially deadly hammerhead and Most of the Tubbataha safari boats are partnership among Jaeger-LeCoultre, linked to the history of the brand,’’ where close at hand. And there it is —noth- als,’’ says Dino Pangione of Sakura tiger sharks. based at Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Given Unesco’s World Heritage Centre and says Yves Meylan, director of Jaeger- ing more than adark blip on the horizon at Charters, alocal company that runs live- The recently expanded park comprises a that it takes about 10 hours to reach the the International Herald Tribune. The LeCoultre France. ‘‘The Reverso, one first, but then distinguishable as a tiny island aboard diving boats to the park. ‘‘The open 96,828-hectare (240,000-acre) triangle in park from Puerto Princesa, weeklong trips event raised £13,540 ($20,700), of our most iconic models, was born with a crown of dark-green vegetation. ocean currents flowing through allow for the middle of the Sulu Sea. An island an- are the norm, most of them fully inclusive of which the Swiss luxury watchmaker in India in 1931, for polo players South Atoll is its official name, but locals large schools of fish —jack, tuna and bar- chors each corner: South Atoll, North Atoll meals and dives. The more ambitious trips donated to the Tubbataha Reefs there. We have strong links to India also call it Lighthouse Island because of the racuda —aswell as large pelagic [species] and the recently added Jessie Beazley Reef. include scuba/snorkel stops around all Marine Park, a World Heritage site in and believe we owe it something. We old whitewashed navigation tower, a rare and whale sharks.’’ Amarine version of the rain forest, the area three islands and as many as five separate the Philippines. The auction paid for a feel it would be nice to give manmade object in what is otherwise a place Yvette Lee of Hans Christian Andersen boasts stunning biodiversity: 374 coral spe- dives per day. The season to visit Tubbataha sorely needed radar and solar-panel something back.’’ The Tides of Time with almost no human footprint —the Tubba- Cruises, another local scuba and snorkel cies, 479 different kinds of fish and around is March to June, when both the weather system that help keep poachers out program, in its third year, has taha Reefs Natural Park, a Unesco World Her- operator, says that ‘‘guaranteed shark pres- 100 types of bird (including the very rare and the Sulu Sea are at their calmest. Blue of a no-fishing zone. produced some pleasant surprises. itage marine site in the Philippines. ence’’ is another huge draw. Tubbataha is Christmas Island frigate). While the coral skies prevail and underwater visibility The Swiss manufacture repeated Christie’s auction house selected Carefully scouting the water between his thought to have the world’s largest concen- reefs and 100-meter (330-foot) walls ranges from 30 to 45 meters. J.R.Y. the initiative this spring with another Jaeger-LeCoultre for a ‘‘green’’ public boat and the island, the Zodiac driver spots auction to benefit a World Heritage sale in New York later this month. a break in the reef, revs the engine to life property. Going under the hammer Says Jérôme Lambert, the company’s and shoots the rubber boat into the lagoon. 6E@AI ZB JE\AÔ 6K>>=J=D= 4AABI ¦=JKH=] 2=H^ M=I FHZ@K?A@ >O JDA 106 was a vintage 1958 Geophysic chief executive: ‘‘They invited us All at once, the water beneath the boat +HA=JELA 5Z]KJEZ[I @AF=HJ\A[J =[@ @E@ [ZJ E[LZ]LA JDA [AMIF=FAH’I HAFZHJE[C ZH Chronometer that was part of an because of our investment in this changes color and quality, translucent A@EJZHE=] @AF=HJ\A[JIï 1J EI JDA %JD ZB = IAHEAI Z[ 7[AI?Z’I 9ZH]@ 0AHEJ=CA \=HE[A extraordinary expedition. The watch program, which has become the IEJAIï 6DA [ANJ E[IJ=]]\A[Jò Z[ «EK@D=ECZK 8=]]AO 5?A[E? =[@ 0EIJZHE? 1[JAHAIJ )HA= E[ enough to show why people travel from the +DE[=ò ME]] >A FK>]EIDA@ Z[ §=O ï 6DA IAHEAI EI = F=HJ[AHIDEF =\Z[C «=ACAHñ was worn by climbers who scaled a flagship for our efforts to preserve Visit the Tides of Time Web site for videos, other side of the globe to visit one of the ¨A+ZK]JHAò 7[AI?Z’I 9ZH]@ 0AHEJ=CA +A[JHA =[@ JDA 1[JAH[=JEZ[=] 0AH=]@ 6HE>K[Aï virgin Himalayan peak —Mont the environment.’’ J.J. interviews and more information on World Heritage most isolated spots in all of Asia —thou- 6ANJ >O «¤507) «)§2¤¨ =[@ «¤5-20 4ï ;¤/-456ï .ZH E[BZH\=JEZ[ Z[ JDA 106 marine sites: whc.unesco.org/tidesoftime/ sands of tropical fish and an even greater )@LAHJEIE[C 5KFF]A\A[JI FHZCH=\Ô MMMïEDJE[BZï?Z\î=@LAHJEIE[C

MASTER COMPRESSOR DIVINGPRO GEOGRAPHIC. Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 979/1000® Amechanical depth gauge with indication to 80 metres. Two patented compression keys for perfect water resistance to 300 metres. Performance exceeds the prevailing NIHS norms. An automatic movement with a Jaeger-LeCoultre and UNESCO in partnership geographical function indicating world time. for conservation of World Heritage sites. HAVE YOU EVER WORN AREAL WATCH? Areal commitment to aprecious cause.

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