The Philippine JSPS Coastal Marine Science Program: Status, Problems and Perspectives

Chapter 18

The Philippine JSPS Coastal Marine Science Program: Status, problems and perspectives

Miguel D. Fortes

Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, The Philippines

Vision—For the JSPS-DOST Coastal Marine Science Programme: “A lasting Japan-Philippine collaboration instituted to understand tropical marine ecosystems & utilize the knowledge & skills in order to improve capacity to conserve biodiversity, protect the environment & sustainably use Philippine marine resources. It is founded on mutual respect & achieved through sharing of knowledge & expertise.”

Introduction The JSPS CMS Program in the context of the Philippine National Marine Policy Strategies of the Philippine National Ma- The Japan Society for the Promotion rine Policy of Science (JSPS), Japan’s core organiza- The National Marine Policy (NMP) of tion for advancing science, encourages the Philippines is a policy framework to scientific research conducted by research- comprehensively address concerns related ers at universities and other institutions to the utilization and management of the since it plays a vital role in the creation of country’s marine resources. It identifies new knowledge. By generating knowledge key development strategies clustered into shared by humankind, Japan makes its four policy areas: extent of the national unique intellectual contribution to the glo- territory, protection of the marine environ- bal society, while ensuring its own devel- ment, development of the marine economy opment as a “nation based on creativity of and technology, and maritime security. science and technology”. In partnership Among the specific strategies are the de- with Southeast Asian countries, it funds velopment and management of marine re- collaborative undertakings focused of key sources consistent with the principles of issues the region is facing. Biodiversity sustainable development, adoption of the loss is one such issue. “polluter-pays” principle, and management In the Philippines and in relation to of coastal resources based on integrated biodiversity, Marine Key Biodiversity Ar- coastal resources management. It also in- eas (MKBA) have been identified. These cludes the development of marine research are sites of global significance for and fisheries management programs. biodiversity conservation identified using

S. Nishida, M. D. Fortes and N. Miyazaki, eds. Coastal Marine Science in Southeast Asia —Synthesis Report of the Core University Program of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science: Coastal Marine Science (2001–2010), pp. 173–187. © by TERRAPUB 2011. 174 M. D. FORTES

Fig. 1. Marine Key Biodiversity Areas (MKBA) in the Philippines, emphasizing the three major ecosystems (coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves) and associated fishes and seaweeds.

globally standard criteria and thresholds, based on the needs of biodiversity requir- ing safeguard at the site scale (Eken et al. 2004). Figure 1 shows these areas in relation to the major coastal support ecosystems (corals, mangroves, seagrass beds) and their associated fishes and seaweeds (Conservation International 2008). These ecosystems are a focus of the JSPS CMS Program, since with the data generated, the program could help coastal communities and decision makers understand better these priority sites for expansion and re- inforcement of existing marine protected area (MPA) systems in the country.

Membership in the JSPS-MCUP-CMS Fig. 2. Map showing locations of member institutions. The Coastal Marine Science Program (CMS) in the Philippines comprises six major institutions of higher learning, di- The Philippine JSPS Coastal Marine Science Program 175 rectly involving 23 researchers (number of University (DLSU); Ms. Dia Sotto researchers in brackets; the location of the Alibo, University of San Carlos (USC); institutions are shown in Fig. 2): Mr. Felix G. Ayson, Southeast Asian 1. University of the Philippines Fisheries Development Council a. Division of Biol. Sciences (UPV) [2] (SEAFDEC); Ms. Evelyn de Jesus, b. College of Fisheries & Oceanology SEAFDEC. (UPV) [1] c. Marine Science Institute CS (UPD) Status and Performance [7] 2. De la Salle University (DLSU) [1] The Philippine Component of the JSPS 3. Mindanao State University (Naawan) Coastal Marine Science is a “loose” group [1] of independent institutions and research- 4. Southeast Asian Fisheries Develop- ers from both public and private sectors, ment Council (SEAFDEC) [2] focusing their activities on the thrusts of 5. University of San Carlos (USC) [1] the program. For the first 4 years (2001– 6. Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Re- 2004), it had moderate gains seen from the sources [8]. high quality and number of its products, e.g. publications, fellowships, awareness The CMS projects and the 15 Principal materials, and partnerships developed with Researchers or focal persons are given both national and regional science institu- below: tions. • Project 1: Water Circulation & Material “Loose” management, lack of funds Transport [3 Researchers from University and political support remain as the great- of the Philippines Marine Science Institute est obstacles to program progress. Its great- (UPMSI)] est assets, on the other hand, are the few Dr. Maria Lourdes S. D. McGlone; Dr. dedicated researchers who persevered Laura T. David; Dr. Fernando Siringan against all odds, even under very discour- • Project 2: Ecology & Oceanography of aging conditions. Functional collaboration Harmful Marine Microalgae (2 Research- with regional and international institutions ers) and organizations appears to be the big- Dr. Rhodora V. Azanza, UPMSI; Dr. gest factor helping some program activi- Arnulfo Marasigan, College of Fisher- ties (e.g. seagrass, see Fig. 4) meet its ob- ies, University of the Philippines jectives, address concerns of users, and Visayas (UPVCF) broaden its impact to the region. • Project 3: Biodiversity Studies (7 Re- searchers) Research Dr. Miguel D. Fortes, UPMSI (JSPS In terms of research, studies conducted National Coordinator); Dr. Marco N. E. by members were of high quality, produc- Montano, UPMSI; Dr. Edna G. Fortes, ing results that contributed to science and UPMSI; Dr. Lourdes V. Castillo, UP directly, to JSPS goals. These are, how- Los Baños (deceased); Dr. Enrico ever, conducted largely individually, not Villoso, College of Fisheries, UPVCF; reflecting JSPS thrusts in a coherent man- Dr. Annabelle del Norte-Campos, UPV ner. Thus, when problems occur, there was College of Science; Dr. Willy Uy, practically no way the program could re- Mindanao State University, (MSU) spond collectively in solving the problems. • Project 4: Pollution of Hazardous Chemi- As a whole, the Philippine Component cals (POME) (4 Researchers) comparatively did well. This is viewed in Dr. Maricar S. Prudente, De La Salle relation to the substantial number and high 176 M. D. FORTES quality of products produced despite the weed/Seagrass Workshop (1) in 2008 increasingly discouraging prevailing con- 2. As participant and host: ditions. a. NaGISA/JSPS-DOST Taxonomy The continuance of these products (and Workshop - August 2007 services) that emerged from project activi- b. Joint NCMS-DOST/JSPS-PNSC ties during the project, however, is at high Biodiversity Workshop - December 2007 risk of being lost or at least is uncertain c. UNEP/GEF SCS Project-DOST- from 2010 onwards. This calls for a re- JSPS Echo-Training Seminars newed and more functional coordination (Biodiversity) among the members, vigorous campaign d. Plankton workshop in Iloilo City, to raise external support, and shift activ- the Philippines, 13–15 July 2010 ity focus to those which show more prom- 3. As participant in new research, assess- ise in addressing the issues. ment and monitoring, capacity develop- One major encouraging outcome which ment: spawned partly from the CMS is the ap- a. SeagrassNet (Phase 3) 2008–2009 proval and implementation in March 2010 b. PERSEUS (Coal Spill Assessment of the 5-year Philippine-Japan Project, “In- & Monitoring): 2008–2013 tegrated Coastal Ecosystems Conservation c. JST-JICA Bilateral Capacity Build- and Adaptive Management Under Local ing Initiative and Networking: 2008–2013 and Global Environmental Threats in the 4. Maintenance & Enhancement of Philippines” (CECAM). Here, 11 institu- Herbarium Marinum: tions in Japan and 6 institutions in the Phil- a. 53,000+ collections ca. 2000 spe- ippines are collaborating to fill the gaps in cies (96% seaweeds, 4% seagrasses) science and management sorely needed in b. New records of seagrasses marine resource conservation and govern- 5. Marine biodiversity promotion in ance. In addition, two proposals currently media (Local & Japanese TV channels under review have been submitted, one to (NHK and DAI Enterprises), BBC). the Asia Pacific Network for Climate It is deemed urgent that members of Change Research (APN) and another to the JSPS CMS focus on overall program Department of Science and Technology of progress and sustainability via perform- the Philippines-Japan Society for the Pro- ance auditing of its components. Hopefully motion of Science Joint Research Project to be taken up in future, the results of the (JRP 2011), both focusing on the capacity audit and evaluation would be the basis of of seagrasses and mangroves to act as decisions towards the true direction of the “bioshields” against biodiversity loss and program. impacts of environmental uncertainties. Accomplishments Other major activities There were other major activities that Administrative helped define the core of the Philippine In terms of actual financial support to participation in the JSPS CMS Program. program activities, a total of PhP These include the following: 204,167.40 (US$ 4,537.05) has so far been 1. Participation in International Activi- disbursed by the Department of Science ties: and Technology (DOST) to support work- a. JSPS National Coordinators’ Meet- shops and meetings. This amount was sub- ings stantially augmented by other sources, e.g. b. Project workshops partner institutions through other projects c. Oceanographic cruises (3) & Sea- of the researchers. Most important is the The Philippine JSPS Coastal Marine Science Program 177

Fig. 3. Publications of the Philippine scientist participants in the JSPS-MCUP Coastal Marine Science Component (2001–2010). See text for analysis. encouragement and facilitation of program products generally and clearly showed sub- activities afforded by DOST to the pro- stantial increases from 2005 till 2010 (Fig. gram. This is also true on the part of the 3). There was, however, as clear and as other member institutions and agencies in substantial a slump in the number of pub- terms of administrative and logistical sup- lications in 2004. As interesting is the fact port. that publications in international peer-reviewed journals, while having the great- Scientific est number, steadily increased in the 10 This section gives the highlights of the year period, indicating a push in the gen- accomplishments of the different compo- eration of higher quality knowledge on the nents of the program, e.g. biodiversity, part of the researchers. Among others, the physical oceanography, and pollution. significant increase in the number of pub- These accomplishments are in the form of lications in national journals is indicative journal publications, chapters in books, of the impetus the researchers are giving posters, guides, etc. and are directly and/ to their own national source of informa- or indirectly associated with the JSPS ac- tion. tivities. For the period 2001–2010, the to- The accomplishments of specific re- tal number of publications (in journals, searchers, with or without collaborators, books and proceedings) total 276. This is could be culled out from the following se- distributed as follows: publications in in- lected articles (2000–2010). For this pe- ternational peer-reviewed journals, 94 or riod, the initial activities undertaken by the 34.1%; in national journals, 47 or 17.03%, Philippines Component of the program fo- chapters in books, 54 or 20%; and publi- cused on the following basic studies: cations in symposium, or conference pro- 1. Paralytic Shellfish Toxin Concentra- ceedings, 81 or 29.3%. Interestingly, these tion and Cell Density changes in 178 M. D. FORTES

Pyrodinium bahamense-Noctiluca 13. An experimental test of the occur- scintillans Feeding Experiments; rence of competitive interactions among 2. Temporal patterns in the abundance SE Asian seagrasses; and diet of Acetes erythraeus Nobili 1905 14. Implications of the short seed dis- (Crustacea, Decapoda, Sergestidae) in the persal in the seagrass Enhalus acoroides nearshore waters of Iligan Bay, northern (L.f.) Royle; Mindanao; 15. Temporal changes in the abun- 3. Species composition, relative abundance, leaf growth and photosynthesis of dance, and fishery of sea cucumbers three co-occurring Philippine seagrasses; (Echinodermata, Holothuroidea) in north- 16. Global climate change: ecological western Iligan Bay; implications on the seagrass ecosystems of 4. Measuring larval spillover from a Southeast Asia; reserve in Taklong Island; 17. Sediment deposition and produc- 5. A comparison of fish larval assem- tion in SE-Asia seagrass meadows; blages in the Sulu Sea and South China 18. Recolonization dynamics in a Sea, distribution and relative abundance of mixed seagrass meadow: The role of clonal calanoid, cyclopoid and harpacticoid versus sexual processes; copepods in Tanon Strait; 19. Light-dependence of the metabolic 6. Diel patterns in abundance, distribu- balance of a highly productive Philippine tion and composition of ichthyoplankton seagrass community; in shallow reef areas in southern Guimaras; 20. Ecological changes in seagrass eco- 7. Composition, abundance and distri- systems in Southeast Asia; bution of chaetognaths along the Pacific 21. Highly skewed tidal circulation coast and adjacent internal waters of the pattern and water quality in Puerto Galera country; Bay, Mindoro Island; 8. Biomass, vertical distribution and 22. Effects of seagrass rhizospheres on community structure of mesozooplankton sediment redox conditions in SE Asian and spatial distribution of chaetognaths off coastal ecosystems; the northern Bicol Shelf; 23. Exploring the Potential of Clay in 9. Population biology of the Asian Mitigating Pyrodinium bahamense var. moon scallop Amusium pleuronectes Linné compressum and other Harmful Algal Spe- (Bivalvia: Pectinidae) and the portunid cies in the Philippines. crabs Portunus pelagicus and Charybdis More issue-based (applied) studies feriatus from Pilar and Capiz Bays, north- where likewise undertaken in response to ern Panay; current problems and concerns brought 10. Effects of photoperiod on egg about by both natural and human-induced hatching and growth and survival of lar- disturbances that occurred during the pe- vae fed with different diets in the Asian riod. These studies include: catfish, Clarias macrocephalus (Günther) 1. An assessment and monitoring of the and the African catfish, C. gariepinus impact of the Solar 1 oil spill on benthic (Burchell); infaunal assemblages and ichthyoplankton 11. First documented report on Solieria abundance, composition and distribution robusta (Greville) Kylin (Gigartinales, in the Taklong Island National Marine Rhodophyceae) in the Philippines; Reserve (TINMAR) and in Southern 12. Isolation and classification of Guimaras; culturable bacteria associated with ice-ice 2. Are Pyrodinium blooms in the South- disease in Kappaphycus and Eucheuma east Asian region recurring and spreading? (Rhodophyta, Solieriaceae); A view at the end of the millennium; The Philippine JSPS Coastal Marine Science Program 179

3. An extensive Cochlodinium bloom (BRP) for Development in Mindanao: Fo- along the western coast of Palawan; cus on Mt. Malindang and Environs; 4. Eutrophic waters, algal bloom and 17. The status of live corals in Iligan fish kill in fish farming areas in Bolinao, Bay reefs: an analysis of survey results Pangasinan; since 1983 and implications to integrated 5. Using ichthyoplankton distribution coastal management. in selecting sites for an MPA Network in Indirectly related to the JSPS program, the Sulu Sea; there were more applications of the knowl- 6. Vegetative dynamics and sexual re- edge generated from the research. Four production of monospecific Thalassia examples are given here. Of particular con- hemprichii meadows in the Kalayaan Is- cern on the part of the Philippine Compo- land Group; nent in the JSPS CMS program was to help 7. Seagrass-fish interaction: A commu- the seaweed industry and in the livelihood nity-based experimental fish farm in of the coastal dwellers, through characteri- Ulugan Bay; zation of the polysaccharides from 8. Current progress on the rearing of seaweeds. Together with carrageenan, the marine finfish striped trumpeter Latris studies were undertaken to characterize lineata using copepods as supplementary agars and alginates. An example of the live feed; importance of the research was the discov- 9. Experimental evaluation of the ef- ery that a carrageenophyte that was being fects of siltation-derived changes in sedi- farmed was actually producing iota carra- ment conditions on the Philippine seagrass geenan and not kappa carrageenan as as- Cymodocea rotundata; sumed. The result was transmitted to the 10. Chemical and gelling profile of ice- Seaweed Industry Association of the Phil- ice infected carrageenan from ippines (SIAP) and to the farmers to stop Kappaphycus striatum (Schmitz) Doty the farming of such seaweed. “sacol” strain (Solieriaceae, Gigartinales, In relation to pollution, previous stud- Rhodophyta); ies directly and/or indirectly associated 11. Tissue age as a factor affecting car- with JSPS CMS were focused on the rageenan quantity and quality in farmed legacy POPs like organochlorine com- Kappaphycus striatum (Schmitz) Doty ex pounds (OCs) that includes Silva; dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs), 12. Impacts of milkfish (Chanos and its metabolites hexachlorocyclohexane chanos) aquaculture on carbon and nutri- isomers (HCHs), chlordane compounds ent fluxes in the Bolinao area; (CHLs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in 13. Aspects on the reproductive biol- the Philippines’ environment and biota. ogy of Siganus fuscescens Houttuyn, 1782 These studies revealed apparent PTs con- (Perciformes, Siganidae) and implications tamination particularly of PCBs and to fishery management of the species in dioxins. Although decrease in PTs con- Pujada Bay, southeastern Mindanao; tamination may have been observed re- 14. The UNEP/GEF Seagrass Demon- cently on a global scale, developing coun- stration Sites in South China Sea: Mile- tries, such as the Philippines, may act as stones in Seagrass Research and potential sources for certain contaminants Biodiversity Management in East Asia; in the future. Another group of toxic sub- 15. Participatory rural appraisal in the stances known as butyltins (BTs), which coastal ecosystem of Mt. Malindang, have been widely used for maritime struc- Misamis Occidental; tures, aquaculture activities, lumber pre- 16. Biodiversity Research Programme servatives and slimicides in cooling sys- 180 M. D. FORTES tem, and as an effective antifouling agent mentary PAHs from tropical Asian cities in paints, were investigated. In view of including Manila, the Philippines were these investigations, aquatic pollution by abundant in alkylated PAHs, suggestive of BTs has been given much attention in many ubiquitous input of petrogenic PAHs. countries, which eventually led to its re- Petrogenic contributions to PAH homologs striction, particularly the TBT-based anti- varied among the sediments from countries fouling paints, in most developed nations included in the study, wherein sediments since the 1980s. However, in the Philip- from the Philippines were found to be pines, such control is yet to be enforced. mostly petrogenic. Thus, there is a need to give considerable In relation to harmful algal blooms and attention to the aquatic pollution and toxic directly or indirectly under the support of biological effects by BTs. JSPS, the hydrodynamics of 9 embayments Considerable pollution by the toxic around the Philippines where HABs are brominated flame retardant (BFR) residues being monitored were studied using both may exist in the Philippines. Therefore, field observations and hydrodynamic continuous monitoring studies are needed modeling. The embayments vary widely in particularly on the levels and temporal their dimensions and hydrodynamic forc- trends of BFRs in order to make clear the ing but all have been reported to harbor extent of environmental contamination and Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum identify possible sources. More emphasis and have been under harvest bans for shell- should be placed upon the terrestrial envi- fish at least once in the past. A few sites ronment, including humans, for which lim- have been under continuous ban for sev- ited data is available. In the case of BTs eral months up to a few years (e.g. residues, results indicated that, at present, Sorsogon Bay). For each of these bays, usage of BTs in the Philippines is still spatially explicit residence times were es- minimal. However, considering the un- timated using vertically integrated tidal regulated usage of TBT and the possible models and a Lagrangian particle-tracking increasing demand for TBT-containing model. Available records of HAB occur- paints in the Philippines, contamination by rences and limited field observations of the BTs in its aquatic environments may be- presence of Pyrodinium bahamense var. come serious in the future. Similar to compressum appear to indicate correlations BFRs, it is likewise necessary to conduct with residence times. Detailed documen- continuous BTs residues monitoring in or- tation of bloom occurrences and decay is der to prevent the occurrence of possible lacking to make reasonable correlations adverse effects of BTs on the functional feasible. physiology of aquatic organisms and to In relation to seagrass, the Seagrass make appropriate decisions on the future Reserve in Bolinao, northwestern Philip- issues of BTs contamination in the aquatic pines, has shown that seaweeds, fishes and environments. Local studies on polycyclic invertebrates of economic importance are aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) source an integral component of the ecosystem. identification, which is deemed relevant to This emphasizes the need for protection of the impacts of PAH accumulation on the habitat, especially in relation to the aquatic and benthic ecosystems, revealed growing number of fish cages and pens that that PAHs were widely distributed in the now is becoming closer to the more pris- sediments, with comparatively higher con- tine parts of the reef. There was a direct centrations in urban areas than in rural ar- correlation between benthic diversity and eas. These results seemingly indicating distance from these fishing structures. large sources of PAHs in urban areas. Sedi- The Philippine JSPS Coastal Marine Science Program 181

Fig. 4. The nature of the institutional linkages demonstrated through the Seagrass Compo- nent of the JSPS-MCUP CMS Project. See text for explanation.

Advocacy and community outreach ships or linkages established with institu- This aspect of the JSPS program was tions, and agencies in both national and not fully realized during the program’s life- foreign neighboring states. These linkages time. This was primarily because the were a necessity since no funds were avail- projects focused more on the science por- able from JSPS to undertake research and tion, where the scientists and researchers many of the latter activities have been ini- were more trained to do. But it is a gen- tiated in a number of JSPS CMS program eral realization that the results of the pro- components, through other funding gram should be shared with the general sources (e.g. Indonesia, Malaysia, The public in all partner member states. Hence, Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam are recipi- it was a general consensus that there was ents of the 6-year regional South China Sea a need in the future to undertake activities Project sponsored by the United Nations at biodiversity hotspots and produce more Environment Programme (UNEP) and “high-impact” products, applying these to Global Environment facility (GEF). In address issues, developing integrated mod- addition, these countries, with Cambodia, els, and newer concepts and methodolo- China, have been receiving funding sup- gies and demonstrating their usefulness at port from many other funding agencies to few selected sites appear a most logical and undertake research under their develop- practical future direction for the program. ment programmes. The Seagrass Component of the JSPS Linkages CMS Project illustrates this mutualistic A greater part of the “success” of the relationship (Fig. 4). The primary contri- Philippine Component of the program has bution of the project is its filling a major been the outcome of functional partner- gap in many of the developmental and con- 182 M. D. FORTES servation or environmental protection ac- way to go”. This is because it knowledge- tivities of countries in the region, e.g. the based, integrated, regional in approach, more fundamental science as basis for the partnership-based, and adopts an end-to- actions and decisions. In the case of the end approach. Seagrass Component, data were needed in taxonomy, ecology, oceanography and en- Issues, Concerns and Solutions vironmental science. This is because among the ecosystems, seagrass meadows Gaps in knowledge and management are the least studied. Integrated with ex- In Southeast and East Asia, the future isting or available data, data generated scenario for biodiversity conservation and from these sciences are the ingredients in environmental sustainability is uncertain the region’s better understanding of ocean due to, among others, the lack of proper biodiversity and environmental and quality of knowledge needed. The sustainability. The scientific data generated Philippines and the region do not have data are processed into what people needs or to define rates of change in most relevant uses (“goods and services”), usually forcing factors. There is also the lack of through data and information management, quantitative dose-response models that resource or area management, capacity predict species and community response building, and regional coordination. “Prod- to changes in environmental factors. The ucts” in the form of publications, books, predictions, therefore, lose reliability con- pamphlets, brochures, posters, other infor- sidering also the inherent complexity of mation, education and communication ecosystems and their responses to multi- materials, become ingredients that even- ple and integrated changes. tually are useful in making decisions on The slow progress in the implementa- the part of policy makers. The decisions tion of the ocean-related programs, pursu- are the ones that sustain the “best prac- ant to the objectives of the National Ma- tices” that, in the ultimate analysis and in rine Policy, is attributed to the lack of in- the long term, ensure biodiversity conser- tegration of the national ocean planning vation and environmental sustainability. process with the overall national develop- In this case study with seagrass, six ment planning. Ocean policies and pro- organizations (e.g. The World Seagrass grams often have concomitant public in- Association (WSA), DIVERSITAS Inter- vestment requirements, which if not in- national for the Western Pacific Area cluded in the national planning and pro- (DIWPA), Man and Biosphere Programme gramming priorities would likely fail due (MAB) of UNESCO, The JSPS Project to inadequate resource complement implemented through the Tokyo Institute (Garcia 2005). The absence of an ocean of Technology (TIT), UNEP/GEF South policy framework largely explains most of China Sea Project, and the Intergovern- the coordination problems that lead to mental Oceanographic Commission Re- functional overlaps and duplications gional Secretariat for the Western Pacific among the relevant agencies. (IOC/WESTPAC)) were the primary part- Perhaps the greatest challenge in Phil- ners. All the activities were in close col- ippine ocean governance is the lack of laboration with their offices in eight South- constituency for ocean governance re- east Asian countries (Cambodia, China, forms. In the absence of a constant advo- Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, The Philip- cacy effort for those reforms, the ocean pines, Thailand, and Viet Nam). Hence, sector may continue to receive low impor- this type of relationship established by the tance among the national development pri- component of the JSPS Program is “the orities. This is a challenge to all the na- The Philippine JSPS Coastal Marine Science Program 183 tional agencies with long-standing man- use of JSPS products and services; dates for ocean management and develop- 7. Enhance visibility of JSPS in con- ment to bring agencies with long-standing servation and development initiatives in mandates for ocean management and de- the region e.g. ASEAN, APEC, velopment to bring the ocean agenda at the WESTPAC, ministries; forefront of national development priori- 8. Undertake “high impact” activities ties. e.g. planning and design of regional Inte- grated Coastal Area Management, New emerging issues transboundary and/or cluster Marine Pro- Present habitat losses are expected to tected Areas, Marine Biosphere Reserves; accelerate in the Philippines, as the rap- and transborder and/or cluster Marine idly growing human pressure on the coastal World Heritage Sites, conservation of spe- zone grows. This is also where the capac- cies in the Red Book as these involve mi- ity to implement conservation policies is gration in JSPS sites in the region, e.g. sea extremely limited, particularly in relation turtles, dugong; to the impacts of climate change. A key 9. Pursue collaborative publication of Coastal Resources Management issue that educational materials for critical audi- needs to be addressed, to address all these ences, e.g. policy makers, tourism manag- issues, is the inconsistency and conflicts ers, industry e.g. natural products from between plans, programs, and laws within marine resources. and between the local and national government. Synthesis: The Way Forward

Sustaining the benefits As a whole, the JSPS Coastal Marine Sci- Despite all the odds, there is hope in ence Component in the Philippines com- sustaining the benefits derived from JSPS paratively did well in its effort to perform and other related projects. The hope is the responsibilities and tasks assigned to pinned on the following steps that should it by the JSPS-DOST agreement. It’s prod- be undertaken—immediately: ucts and services are presently contribut- 1. Identify and develop a higher-level, ing significantly to national marine sci- well-supported, analytical expertise in ence. While problems existed that signifi- partner institutions; cantly hampered its operations, these were 2. Improve communication and coor- obviated by the cooperation and determi- dination among members, e.g. National nation of a core group, guided by the na- Coordinators and Project Leaders, from tional science agency. However, the con- 2010 and beyond; tinuance of its products (and services) is 3. Increase number of researchers at high risk of being lost or at least is un- through increased funding; certain in the years beyond 2010. This calls 4. Improve collaboration and develop for a renewed and more functional coordi- and sustain partnerships with agencies and nation among the members, with DOST, institutions with related concerns in the vigorous campaign to raise external sup- region e.g. UNEP, UNESCO-IOC, GEF, port, and shift activity focus to those which JICA-JST, private donors; show more promise in addressing priority 5. Facilitate acquisition of inter-coun- national issues. try sampling permits via bilateral or mul- It is clear from the JSPS CMS activi- tilateral agreements; ties that there are essential elements in 6. Facilitate capacity building in areas coastal biodiversity conservation and en- where knowledge is wanting through the vironmental sustainability. These ele- 184 M. D. FORTES ments, building on the gains from these the JSPS CMS came in strong! activities, include: collective visioning, The key solution for resolving the prob- deliberate planning and design of the un- lems JSPS CMS encountered in its opera- dertaking, coordinated science generation, tion and at the same time sustain the ben- capacity building, promotion of policy and efits it provided, is the formulation of a institutional reforms, creation of an in- comprehensive national coastal manage- formed public, and mobilization of the ment policy to harmonize coastal resource stakeholders or affected communities. The use laws, enhance coordination of capac- key steps lie initially with the scientists, ity-building programs, and enforcement but in the greater end, in the ability of those activities. It must also provide for the es- in management to understand and optimize tablishment of consultative mechanisms to the dynamics of Integrated Coastal Man- enhance local government participation in agement for timely mobilization of politi- policy and decision-making, as well as the cal opportunities, financial resources, in- institutionalization of monitoring, evalu- tellectual capitals and stakeholders’ sup- ation, information-sharing mechanisms, port to improve coastal governance. All and reporting on the status of coastal re- these are predicated largely on sound ma- sources and implementation of CRM pro- rine science and technology. This is where grams at the different levels of governance.

References

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