DOCSLIB.ORG

Fishing Gears in Malampaya Sound

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Fishing Gears in Malampaya Sound Fishing Gears and Methods of the Malampaya Sound FISHING GEARS and METHODS of the Benjamin J PHILIPPINES An Approach to Fisheries and . Gonzales Ecosystems Management Benjamin J. Gonzales, Ph.D. , Ph. D . 4 5 FFishing Gears and Methods of the Malampaya Sound Philippines: An Approach to Fisheries and Ecosystems Management ISBN Number: 978-621-95538-2-7 Written by: Benjamin J. Gonzales, Ph.D. Contributors: © Geofrey Aludia / WWF, Eduardo Bolen / WWF, Russell Climaco / WWF, Karl Directo / WWF, Alfredo Guab / WWF, Mavic Matillano / WWF, Jona Miguel / WWF Photos by: © Geofrey Aludia / WWF, Eduardo Bolen / WWF, Nicolas Cegalerba and Joanna Szwemberg, Russell Climaco / WWF, Kymry Delijero, Benjamin Gonzales / WPU, Mavic Matillano / WWF, Jona Miguel / WWF Cover Photos: © Eduardo Bolen / WWF, Nicolas Cegalerba and Joanna Szwemberg / WWF Sketches by: Arthur Batiforra Jr. (except as indicated) Ddesign by: Janine Teng Printed in: Manila, Philipines October 2017 FISHING GEARS and METHODS of the And to PHILIPPINES An Approach to Fisheries and Ecosystems Management 4 5 DEDICATION 4 5 This book is dedicated: To my parents Laling and Mildred. And to my Uncle Ruperto ‘‘Perting”, who supported my love for fishing and fishes. and to my students and non-government organizations, who continuously work for the conservation and management of our coastal and fisheries resources. 5 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgment 8 Foreword 10 Preface 11 Chapter One: Introduction 13 Chapter Two: Fishing Gears and Methods 25 Gear Overview 26 Fishing Gears Found in Malamapaya Sound 36 Nets 36 Gill Nets 36 Push Nets 45 Ring Nets 48 Lift Nets 52 Stop Seine 54 Cover Nets 56 Other Nets 58 Barricades and Traps 60 Fish Corral 60 Pots 64 Miscellaneous Set Traps 72 Hook and Line 74 Hand Line 74 Set Longline 78 Hand Instrument 80 Spear Gun 80 5 Picks 82 4 Hand Catch 84 Chapter Three: The Commercial Species in Malampaya Sound 87 Chapter Four: Gear Seasonality 125 Chapter Five: Maps of Fishing Gear Locations 135 Chapter Six: From the Ecosystems Management Point of View 161 References 170 About the Author 176 ACKNOWLEDGMENT I am deeply indebted to the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF)- Philippines and its sponsors for supporting and publishing this book. I am also indebted to all the wonderful people who have exchanged and shared ideas with me, thereby contributed to the contents of this book. This book would not have been possible without the dedicated work and support of the following: And finally, to those who do not keep education and knowledge in shelves and in electronic files, but continuously pursue and circulate them to The CEO of WWF-Philippines Jose Angelito M. Palma and his Officers Luz inform and educate the wider audience, and to be used for the well-being of Teresa P. Baskiñas, Perla Chrisma R. Salao, Janine C. Teng and Maria Victoria both human and nature. D. Matillano. Benjamin Jareta Gonzales, Ph.D. The Western Philippines University (WPU), most especially to Dr. Elsa P. Manarpaac, President of WPU, for her continuous support for research and development, including granting the writer permissions to attend meetings on the preparation of this book. The project team composed of Maria Victoria Matillano, Janine Teng, Jona Miguel, Jeofrey Aludia and Russell Climaco for their assistance in project coordination, lay-out, field surveys, and photographs of fishing gears and fish catches. Dr. Mildred J. Gonzales as my manuscript editor and my colleagues Dr. Herminie Palla and Mr. Rodulf Anthony Balisco for the technical reviews of the content of this book, and my staff Sheena Melendez and Karen Madarcos for 5 their office assistance. 4 My daughter Ma. Mojena Gonzales-Plasus and husband Leo Plasus for providing me shelter and conducive environment in writing the main part and final version of this book. And my wife Nazareth and children Johanne, Ma. Mojena, and Seasha who always understand my professional activities and give encouragements to undertake researches and write publications. 8 9 FOREWORD PREFACE We fell in love with Palawan years ago. With the urgency to manage the critical resources and environment of the Malampaya Sound, the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines requested the Everything about it was captivating. Its islands, its wildlife, the people. For us, it author to undertake a second study on the Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE) of the is no wonder that, in the recent years, Palawan has been consistently voted one fishing gears in the Malampaya Sound in early 2016 with the purpose of of the most beautiful islands in the world. monitoring the catches of the gears. In the latter part of that year, WWF- Philippines requested the author again to write a book to officially document But there is more to Palawan than what we see in vacation pictures and holiday the gears in the Sound, in the form of a pictorial and annotated guide and use brochures. Little known, there exists in Palawan a unique biodome of bays and information and insights from our previous studies far back year 2001. With inlets called the Malampaya Sound, home to the critically-endangered the support of the Western Philippines University, the author gladly embarked Irrawaddy dolphins. on the writing of this book. With this opportunity, the writer decided to extend the content of the book to the implications on management of fisheries, The Irrawaddy dolphins are an isolated colony of enigmatic marine mammals. Irrawaddy dolphins, and ecosystem of the Sound. There are less than a hundred of these gentle and shy creatures estimated to exist today. Unfortunately, increased fishing activity in the area, particularly the This book is a collation of the different aspects of fishing instruments, devices, use of certain fish traps, has put pressure on the dwindling dolphin population and methods being used in the Malampaya Sound. These devices and methods in Malampaya Sound. If this continues, this number is expected to drop further. describe how, when, where, and what estuarine/marine resources are being This informative book on Fishing Gears and Methods of Malampaya Sound, by exploited in the Sound with reference to the preservation of the integrity of renowned Palaweño marine expert, Dr. Benjamin Gonzales, comes at the best ecosystems and Irrawaddy dolphins in the area. This book also features the time. classification of fishing gears in the Sound, their catches and seasonality, relationships between the gears and the environment, and interactions Through its narrative, this book is able to inform how the local fisherfolk can between fisheries and Irrawaddy dolphins. sustainably co-exist with the Irrawaddy dolphins, and in turn save the species from extinction, through the use of the proper fishing gear. The author approached fisheries, Irrawaddy dolphin conservation, and the 5 environmental management of Malampaya Sound from the point of view 4 of With WWF-Philippines, let us claim stewardship of Malampaya Sound with the knowledge gathered from fishing gears and methods, using the principle Irrawaddy dolphins and together work to ensure their conservation for future “providing the Right Information for the Right Management”. generations. Benjamin Jareta Gonzales, Ph.D. Vicente S. Pérez, Jr Professor Chairman Western Philippines University Asian Conservation Foundation, Inc. Palawan, Philippines 10 11 4 5 CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 5 4 12 13 INTRODUCTION The Malampaya Sound is called the “fishing bowl of the food for the community, but also known to dominantly compose Philippines.” It is composed of marine and estuarine waters at the the diet of the Irrawaddy dolphins (WWF 2001; Gonzales and inner and outer portions, respectively, including mangrove Matillano 2008). Stomach content examination by the author of a shorelines, adjacent to tidal wetlands and uplands which support killed dolphin revealed shrimps and squids as major food the wildlife, and home to the infamous and critically endangered consumed by the dolphin. Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris). Fish productivity in the Sound accorded nearly 19% of the total fish production of the Until now, Malampaya Sound continuously provides food and region in 1973 (Estudillo 1987). The same study also showed high source of income to various peoples of Taytay as well as numerous productivity of the Inner Sound in terms of planktons, fish, and sectors of the society, which interact with the Sound. However, fish larvae. due to its image as a source of bounty resources, Malampaya Within the Inner Malampaya Sound, visitors may catch a glimpse of the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, a euryhaline slower swimming cousin of the marine dolphins, which has lost much of its swimming habitat and population in the Sound, due to fisheries and incidental catch (Gonzales and Matillano 2008). Likewise, marine turtles are sometimes reported by fishers to enter their fish corrals. The main road offers numerous pull-offs with scenic views of the mangrove shorelines and waters. Paddlers can be 5 treated to spectacular views of Irrawaddy and cabs and its wild- 4 life. Several landing areas are potential spots to allow visitors to go ashore and hike the land trails. Malampaya is known for crustaceans (shrimps and swimming crabs) fisheries, which not only serve as source of income and 14 15 INTRODUCTION Sound continues to attract dwellers, which seemingly caused Sound: Estudillo et al., 1987, Jarabejo 1997; WWF 2001; Gonzales issues on environmental degradation, uncontrolled use of fishing and Matillano 2008; and Whitty 2016; of which references are scarce gears, increase in human population, and Irrawaddy dolphin about fisheries and ecosystems management. conservation. Hence, due to effective and excessive fishing pressure combined with other anthropogenic activities, the future Several strategies are recognized to approach fisheries of the fisheries in the area becomes uncertain. management: Ecosystem Approach in Fisheries Management (EAFM), Community-based Fisheries Management (CBFM), WWF endeavors to conserve Irrawaddy dolphins not only in the Coastal Resource Management (CRM), Integrated Coastal Philippines, but across its geographic distribution (warm coastal Resource Management (ICRM), etc.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Gill Nets and Their Operation
    Gill Nets and their Operation Saly N. Thomas Central Institute of Fisheries Technology P.O. Matsyapuri, Cochin – 682 029 Email: [email protected] Gill net is a highly selective and passive gear accounting for 20% of all the fishing methods of the world. The simplicity of its design, construction, operation and its low energy requirement make the gear very popular in all the sectors especially in the traditional sector. It is a highly selective gear and the use of this gear in a responsible way ensures resource conservation. The gear is a vertical wall of netting, which is kept erect in water by means of floats and sinkers. The gear is mostly rectangular in shape whose upper end is mounted to a float line (head rope) and the lower end to a sinker line (foot rope). The nets are operated in the surface, column or bottom layers of the water column in inland, coastal and deep sea. Gill nets are operated for the capture of different groups of fishes such as sardine, mackerel, prawn, hilsa, and larger varieties like tuna, shark, seer fish, and other large pelagics. When operated for such larger varieties in the deeper areas of the sea the nets extend to several kilometers. Mechanism of fish capture in gill nets The fact that separates gill nets from all other type of fishing is that in gill nets the `mesh’ of the net serves the dual function of `selecting’ the fish to be caught and catching it. The capture of fish in gill nets depends on the net construction, its dimensions, and the shape of the fish body.
    [Show full text]
  • Ghost Net Impacts on Coral Reefs Time to Complete Lesson: 20-30 Minutes
    Ghost (net) Busters Ghost Net Impacts on Coral Reefs Time to complete lesson: 20-30 minutes Purpose of module: This module allows students to simulate the impacts of ghost nets on a coral reef. Students will build a model healthy reef ecosystem, damage it using a ghost net, and then remove it from the reef. Students will conduct a damage assessment caused by the net dragging across the reef using quadrats. Background information: Coral reefs, also known as the rainforests of the sea, are one of the most diverse and ecologically complex marine ecosystems. They are found in warm, tropical waters with high salinity and high light exposure. A coral reef is made up of individual coral polyps that resemble tiny anemones and are attached to the reef. Each coral polyp is less than half an inch in diameter, but they live in colonies which Figure 1: A healthy coral reef system. can expand and take up the size of a small car. Reef building corals have a skeleton made of calcium carbonate, a mineral that is left behind when an individual coral dies. Another coral may settle on that spot and grow on top of the remaining skeleton. This allows a coral reef to grow a few centimeters each year, eventually reaching massive sizes. Coral reefs provide food and shelter for many plants, invertebrates, and fish. It is estimated that at least 25% of all marine life spendCredit: part MostBeautifulThings.net of their life at a coral reef. Coral reefs provide shelter for small fish, and small fish attract larger fish, which in turn attract large predators like sharks.
    [Show full text]
  • The Malampaya Sound Protected
    FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) SENATE Sen~te Bill No. 739 INTRODUCED BY SEN. J/NGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA EXPLANATORY NOTE The Malampaya Sound Protected Landscape and Seascape (MSPLAS) covers eighteen (18) barangays in the municipality of Taytay and four (4) barangays in the municipality of San Vicente spanning to 200,115 hectares. It is surrounded by the municipality 'of EI Nido in the north, municipalities or Roxas, San Vicente and Dumaran in the south, South China Sea in the west, and barangays Pamantolon, Poblacion, Calauag of the municipality of Taytay in the east. MSPLAS serve as sanctuary to several rare and endangered wildlife. It has one of the largest undisturbed mangrove forest areas in the Philippines. It is home to sea cows (Dugong Dugong), which are considered endemic and threatened species. It is also a known habitat of the Irrawady Dolphin (Orcaella Brevirostris). The adjacent old-growth forests are important watersheds and serve as the habitat of Palawan Hornbill, the Bear, Cat, the Peacock Peasant and other endemic species. Due to its biodiversity and ecological significance, it was declared a protected area in 2000 through Presidential Proclamation No. 342. In line with the State's policy of securing for the Filipino people of present and future generations the perpetual existence of all native plants and animals, it is incumbent upon Congress to enact a law to provide for the management, protection, sustainable development and rehabilitation of the MSPLAS. This shall be established within the framework of the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) Act, or Republic Act of 7586, while considering the welfare and recognizing the rights of all the communities living therein especially the indigenous peoples.
    [Show full text]
  • Impact of “Ghost Fishing“ Via Derelict Fishing Gear
    2015 NOAA Marine Debris Program Report Impact of “Ghost Fishing“ via Derelict Fishing Gear 2015 MARINE DEBRIS GHOST FISHING REPORT March 2015 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Ocean Service National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science – Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research 219 Ft. Johnson Rd. Charleston, South Carolina 29412 Office of Response and Restoration NOAA Marine Debris Program 1305 East-West Hwy, SSMC4, Room 10239 Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 Cover photo courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration For citation purposes, please use: NOAA Marine Debris Program. 2015 Report on the impacts of “ghost fishing” via derelict fishing gear. Silver Spring, MD. 25 pp For more information, please contact: NOAA Marine Debris Program Office of Response and Restoration National Ocean Service 1305 East West Highway Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 301-713-2989 Acknowledgements The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program would like to acknowledge Jennifer Maucher Fuquay (NOAA National Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science) for conducting this research, and Courtney Arthur (NOAA National Ocean Service, Marine Debris Program) and Jason Paul Landrum (NOAA National Ocean Service, Marine Debris Program) for providing guidance and support throughout this process. Special thanks go to Ariana Sutton-Grier (NOAA National Ocean Science) and Peter Murphy (NOAA National Ocean Service, Marine Debris Program) for reviewing this paper and providing helpful comments. Special thanks also go to John Hayes (NOAA National Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science) and Dianna Parker (NOAA National Ocean Science, Marine Debris Program) for a copy/edit review of this report and Leah L.
    [Show full text]
  • Design a Safe Fishing Net Notes for Teachers
    You need: Design a safe • Paper or card • Pencils • Colouring pens fishing net or pencils Thousands of whales and dolphins die every year because they get trapped in fishing nets. They can’t get to the surface to breathe, so they suffocate and drown. How can we design nets that can catch fish, but won’t accidentally catch whales and dolphins? Each child will need some 1 paper, a pencil and some colouring supplies. Their challenge is to design a net that will successfully catch fish, but won’t catch whales and dolphins. Encourage children to think about what they’ve learnt about whales 2 and dolphins that might help them with their designs, for example: • How do dolphins find their food? • How big are whales and dolphins? Scan or take photos of the best net designs and send them to [email protected] – we’d love to see them! Design a safe fishing net Notes for teachers Ask the children questions to encourage them to think about their designs. Their solutions might involve stopping whales and dolphins from swimming into the net in the first place, or ways to escape if they do get trapped. Some great ideas from other children have included: • Brightly coloured nets that are easily seen; • Nets that make noise to scare whales and dolphins away; • Sensors that detect if a whale or dolphin is nearby, then retract the net; • Monitored cameras so fishermen can see and release a trapped whale or dolphin; • Nets that do not close if a whale or dolphin, or the weight of a whale or dolphin, is detected.
    [Show full text]
  • IN the NEWS Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service
    DATE: ____AUGUST_________ 24, 2020 DAY: _____MONDAY________ DENR IN THE NEWS Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service STRATEGIC BANNER COMMUNICATION UPPER PAGE 1 EDITORIAL CARTOON STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER SERVICE August 24, 2020 PAGE 1/ DATE TITLE : DENR files charges vs. Zobel personnel posted August 23, 2020 at 06:30 pm by Manila Standard Busines s Environment officials filed charges before the Department of Justice against the farm manager of billionaire Beatriz Zobel de Ayala in Palawan province for alleged cutting of a native tree and unlawful occupation of forest lands within the Malampaya Sound Protected Landscape and Seascape. The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office filed the charges against farm manager Stephen John Zaragosa and three others who were manning the structures built by the group of Zobel de Ayala in Sitio Maypa, Barangay Pancol, Taytay, Palawan. Zaragosa, along with Cirilo Ledesma, Nicasio Ledesma and Mario Caahay were named in the complaint for alleged violation of Sections 77 and 78 of Presidential Decree No. 705, as amended, or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines. Environment officials led by MSPLS Protected Area Superintendent Clarissa Pador and CENRO Officer Alan Valle earlier investigated reports that the group of Zobel de Ayala erected structures in the marine protected area. DENR Mimaropa Regional Executive Director Lourdes Ferrer said that: "Pursuant to our office's existing procedures, specifically DENR Administrative Order No. 1997-32, Pador has conducted the necessary adjudication proceedings regarding the illegal cutting of a Bangar tree, and the CENRO of Taytay, Palawan has already filed a complaint for violation of Sections 77 and 78 of PD No.
    [Show full text]
  • Moving from Open Access Extraction to New Participatory Levels Of
    Moving from open access extraction to new participatory levels of accountable management Malampaya Sound, Palawan, the Philippines by Jonathan Pilien and Peter Walpole Environmental Science for Social Change (ESSC) SUMMARY Pilien and Walpole observe that conflicts over the use of Malampaya Sound in northern Palawan began decades ago when commercial logging and fishing got under way. Intense resource competition continued for decades, depleting fisheries by the 1970s. Commercial fishing restrictions were imposed periodically. Officials often proposed conflicting policies and programmes for commercial development and resource conservation, usu- ally with little community support. The case study describes recent efforts to incorporate community participation in plans for making the zone part of the National Integrated Protected Area Programme. Efforts have been made to establish links between stakeholders through facilitated public dialogues, community mapping, public hearings and a strategic planning workshop. 252 NATURAL RESOURCE CONFLICT MANAGEMENT CASE STUDIES: AN ANALYSIS OF POWER, PARTICIPATION AND PROTECTED AREAS GUIDING QUESTIONS KEY ISSUES ● How can local communities be participants in conflict management? ● Why do planners and policy-makers often overlook local stakeholders? CONTEXT ● Who are the local stakeholders? ● What other stakeholders are involved in the Malampaya Sound? CONFLICT BACKGROUND OR HISTORY ● What historical trends exist concerning local natural resource con- flicts? ● How does historical analysis help us understand
    [Show full text]
  • Marine Advisory China Fishing Vessels 03-2017.Pdf
    8619 Westwood Center Drive Suite 300 THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA Vienna, Virginia 22182, USA Tel: +1 703 790 3434 LIBERIA MARITIME AUTHORITY Fax: +1 703 790 5655 Email: [email protected] Web: www.liscr.com 16 May 2017 Marine Advisory: 03/2017 SUBJECT: Precautions when Navigating Waters in and around Ningbo-Zhoushan, China Dear Owner, Operator, Master and Designated Person Ashore: Purpose The purpose of this Advisory is to bring attention to recent collisions involving Chinese fishing and Liberian flagged vessels and provide additional information to assist Master’s in safely navigating highly congested waters off Ningbo-Zhoushan in the East China Sea. These collisions occurred mostly at night or in fog conditions where visibility was restricted and additional lookouts were not engaged. Discussion The Chinese port Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan is located in Ningbo and Zhoushan on the coast of the East China Sea, in Zhejiang province and is ranked the busiest cargo port in the world. Large fleets of fishing junks may be encountered on the coast of China. The junks may not be carrying lights. They are solidly built and serious damage could be incurred by colliding with them. Fishing vessels vary from traditional rowing or sailing craft as little as 3m long to modern trawlers 15m long and over. We recently met with China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) to review the collision cases and explore possible measures to help prevent similar casualties and loss of life. Attached is an Advisory prepared by Ningbo MSA that provides guidance for Master’s on navigating through the East China Sea and areas where there may be high concentrations of fishing vessels.
    [Show full text]
  • Fishing for Fairness Poverty, Morality and Marine Resource Regulation in the Philippines
    Fishing for Fairness Poverty, Morality and Marine Resource Regulation in the Philippines Asia-Pacific Environment Monograph 7 Fishing for Fairness Poverty, Morality and Marine Resource Regulation in the Philippines Michael Fabinyi Published by ANU E Press The Australian National University Canberra ACT 0200, Australia Email: [email protected] This title is also available online at: http://epress.anu.edu.au/ National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry Author: Fabinyi, Michael. Title: Fishing for fairness [electronic resource] : poverty, morality and marine resource regulation in the Philippines / Michael Fabinyi. ISBN: 9781921862656 (pbk.) 9781921862663 (ebook) Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index. Subjects: Fishers--Philippines--Attitudes. Working poor--Philippines--Attitudes. Marine resources--Philippines--Management. Dewey Number: 333.91609599 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. Cover design and layout by ANU E Press Cover image: Fishers plying the waters of the Calamianes Islands, Palawan Province, Philippines, 2009. Printed by Griffin Press This edition © 2012 ANU E Press Contents Foreword . ix Acknowledgements . xiii Selected Tagalog Glossary . xvii Abbreviations . xviii Currency Conversion Rates . xviii 1 . Introduction: Fishing for Fairness . 1 2 . Resource Frontiers: Palawan, the Calamianes Islands and Esperanza . 21 3 . Economic, Class and Status Relations in Esperanza . 53 4 . The ‘Poor Moral Fisher’: Local Conceptions of Environmental Degradation, Fishing and Poverty in Esperanza . 91 5 . Fishing, Dive Tourism and Marine Protected Areas . 121 6 . Fishing in Marine Protected Areas: Resistance, Youth and Masculinity .
    [Show full text]
  • Some Data on the Distribution, Conservation Status and Protection of Freshwater Turtles in the Palawan Island Group, Philippines
    SOME DATA ON THE DISTRIBUTION, CONSERVATION STATUS AND PROTECTION OF FRESHWATER TURTLES IN THE PALAWAN ISLAND GROUP, PHILIPPINES Pierre Fidenci1 and Reymar Castillo2 1Endangered Species International, 79 Brady Street, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA 2Research Coordinator, Biodiversity Center for Research and Conservation, Palawan State University, Puerto Princesa City, Philippines 5300; Project Manager, Philippine Forest Turtle Project, Endangered Species International – Palawan State University Introduction The Palawan Island Group is located between Mindoro Island and North Borneo, approximately 600km south-west of Manila, Philippines. Islands included in this group are Palawan (the largest island), Busuanga, Culion, Lampacan, Cuyo, Dumaran, Cagayancillo (also called Cagayanes) and Balabac. Palawan is the fifth largest island in the Philippine archipelago with an area of more than 11,000 square km. The biological importance of Palawan is widely recognized both nationally and internationally. It has even been designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO since 1990. The region includes several existing Proclaimed Conservation Areas such as Coron Islands (7,580 hectares), El Nido Marine Reserve (89,140 hectares), Malampaya Sound (90,000 hectares) and Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Palawan has also been declared a mangrove reserve. Palawan has about 422 terrestrial and known marine vertebrate species. This number accounts for about 39% of all the vertebrate species found in the Philippines. Many of the species are endemic to Palawan and have restricted ranges confined to a small area (PCSDS, 2005). The Philippine forest turtle (Siebenrockiella (= Panayenemys) leytensis) (Fig. 1) is one of the most endangered turtle species in the world and the most endangered turtle of the Philippines (Conservation International, 2003; IUCN, 2009).
    [Show full text]
  • 5-Review-Fish-Habita
    United Nations UNEP/GEF South China Sea Global Environment Environment Programme Project Facility UNEP/GEF/SCS/RWG-F.8/5 Date: 12th October 2006 Original: English Eighth Meeting of the Regional Working Group for the Fisheries Component of the UNEP/GEF Project: “Reversing Environmental Degradation Trends in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand” Bangka Belitung Province, Indonesia 1st - 4th November 2006 INFORMATION COLLATED BY THE FISHERIES AND HABITAT COMPONENTS OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA PROJECT ON SITES IMPORTANT TO THE LIFE- CYCLES OF SIGNIFICANT FISH SPECIES UNEP/GEF/SCS/RWG-F.8/5 Page 1 IDENTIFICATION OF FISHERIES REFUGIA IN THE GULF OF THAILAND It was discussed at the Sixth Meeting of the Regional Scientific and Technical Committee (RSTC) in December 2006 that the Regional Working Group on Fisheries should take the following two-track approach to the identification of fisheries refugia: 1. Review known spawning areas for pelagic and invertebrate species, with the aim of evaluating these sites as candidate spawning refugia. 2. Evaluate each of the project’s habitat demonstration sites as potential juvenile/pre-recruit refugia for significant demersal species. Rationale for the Two-Track Approach to the Identification of Fisheries Refugia The two main life history events for fished species are reproduction and recruitment. It was noted by the RSTC that both of these events involve movement between areas, and some species, often pelagic fishes, migrate to particular spawning areas. It was also noted that many species also utilise specific coastal habitats such as coral reefs, seagrass, and mangroves as nursery areas. In terms of the effects of fishing, most populations of fished species are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of high levels of fishing effort in areas and at times where there are high abundances of (a) stock in spawning condition, (b) juveniles and pre-recruits, or (c) pre-recruits migrating to fishing grounds.
    [Show full text]
  • Global Lessons and Information to Assist with Monofilament Gill Net Management in Ghana
    Global lessons and information to assist with monofilament gill net management in Ghana For additional information on partner activities: WorldFish: http://www.worldfishcenter.org Friends of the Nation: http://www.fonghana.org Hen Mpoano: http://www.henmpoano.org Sustainametrix: http://www.sustainametrix.com This publication is available electronically on the Coastal Resources Center’s website at http://www.crc.uri.edu For more information on the Integrated Coastal and Fisheries Governance project, contact: Coastal Resources Center, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett Bay Campus, 220 South Ferry Road, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882, USA. Brian Crawford, Director International Programs at [email protected]; Tel: 401-874-6224; Fax: 401-874-6920. Citation: Coastal Resources Center. (2013) Global lessons and information to assist with monofilament gill net management in Ghana. USAID Integrated Coastal and Fisheries Governance Program for the Western Region of Ghana. Narragansett, RI: Coastal Resources Center, Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island. 14 pp. Disclaimer: This publication is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Ghana. The contents of this report are the responsibility of the Integrated Coastal and Fisheries Governance (ICFG) Program and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Government. Associate Cooperative Agreement No. 641-A-00-09-00036-00 for “Integrated Coastal and Fisheries Governance (ICFG) Program for the Western Region of Ghana,” under the Leader with Associates Award No. EPP-A-00-04-00014-00. Cover Photo: Fishermen repairing their nets Cover Photo Credit: Coastal Resources Center – Ghana [2 Acknowledgements Background research and drafting of this information brief was completed by Pip Cohen, with editorial input from David Mills.
    [Show full text]