Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project (LRCP) Monthly Project Update December 2016 Location: Napantao Dive Resort, Napantao, San Francisco, Southern Leyte Project Scientist: Jamie Parker [email protected] LRCP Project Aim The Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project (LRCP) is a Contents collaborative project to protect the coral reefs of Sogod Bay, providing training and conservation education opportunities for local Filipinos, as Latest news part of an integrated programme to develop local capacity and Story of the Month ensure the long-term protection and sustainable use of marine Educational & resources throughout the region. Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) is Community Projects working at the invitation of and in partnership with the Provincial Survey Update Government of Southern Leyte (PGSL). CCC provides the resources to Marine Scholarship help sustain livelihoods and alleviate poverty through the protection, News restoration and management of coral reefs and tropical forests. Marine Creature of the month Latest News Barangay Napantao Christmas Community Evening On the 14th of December Janie Morton (SO), Andrea Gaurana (Sch) organised an evening of Christmas games for the children of Napantao, which saw a surprise visit from CCC’s very own Santa Clause, aka. Marco Galliani (SI). After popcorn and a light refreshment, the children raced each other for Santa prizes in the first two games including one that involved having to run with a balloon between their legs. The action didn’t stop there, as the start of a treasure hunt, saw the kids scatter energetically all over Napantao. A game of musical statues followed with contestants piggy backing each other, while the last parcel to be opened in a classic game of pass the parcel signalled the end of a wonderful evening. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, each child went home happy and in high CCC Scuba Instructor, Marco ‘Santa’ Galliani, spirits with a CCC Christmas goody bag. hands out gifts – Photo. Jamie Parker From all of us at CCC - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 2 Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project Philippines, December 2016 Story of the Month Barangay Cuasi MPA Community Day On the 10th of December all CCC staff members and volunteers travelled to Barangay Cuasi in San Francisco to present the findings of Cuasi’s proposed MPA site during an action packed community day. After introducing themselves to the Cuasi community, with some light basketball action; CCC scholar, Andrea Gaurana, entertained the children with few games of fish Pictionary. This was followed by an energy filled scramble for treasures during a team scavenger hunt which saw community members of all ages taking part. Fun and games were swapped momentarily for a few coral reef lectures, presented by Jesse Tinapay (CLO), which focused on marine lifeforms and food- chains as well as also outlining why CCC are working here in the Philippines. Cuasi’s locals’ newfound food-chain knowledge was then put to the test during the CCC’s ‘blindfold food-chain challenge’, which also had guest appearances form CCC’s very own Janie Jones (SO) and Matt Pearcey (Vol). Next on the day’s agenda was the important matter of Cuasi’s proposed MPA survey results; findings were presented by Project Scientist, Jamie Parker, and was met with a positive reaction from both community and barangay official members. Cuasi’s reef was deemed to be in good health, but could benefit substantially from added protection. Of course, a barangay community day is never complete without the ‘protect your egg MPA game’, which despite smothering their prized MPA eggs in all manner of soft material, couldn’t prevent their delicate shells from breaking. Overall, the day was a huge success with all CCC representatives getting involved within the community. We hope that the community of Cuasi welcome their newly proposed MPA, with the same passion as they showed for everyone at CCC. Barangay residents join CCC personal for a farewell photo after the Cuasi community day - Photo. Ben Jack 3 Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project Philippines, December 2016 Education and Community Projects MPARG Marine Protected Area Ordinance Workshop, Limasawa On the 12th and 13th of December Coral Cay Conservation’s Project Scientist, Jamie Parker, accompanied Alessia Kockel of the Marine Protected Area Research Group (MPARG) and Sir Armando Gaviola (PENRMO) to Limasawa, to establish and validate the coordinates for proposed and established MPAs surrounding the island. The first day brought together Barangay representatives and community members from Triana, San Ricardo, San Agustin and Cabulihan. Prior to the workshop, where attendees were able to see their chosen MPA location on the big screen, GPS coordinates were taken for the proposed MPA boundaries while circling the island. Having seen the MPA dimensions for each of the proposed sites, MPARG’s Alessia Kockel guides Limasawa community members were keen to discuss aspects such police representatives through the process of as area flexibility, fishing methods and policing logistics. GPS marking – Photo. Armando Gaviola These were encouraging signs coming from an area of Southern Leyte that depends heavily upon fishing as a form of livelihood and protein. The next day, Alessia Kockel offered an introductory GPS marking tutorial to three members of the Limasawa police department. By circling the MPA, members were shown how to take an accurate GPS reading; an integral skill to have when needing to apprehend those carrying out illegal fishing. Overall, the people of Limasawa were heavily involved in the spatial planning for the proposed MPAs; this transparent and unified understanding for the projects serves well as foundation for the MPA development process. CCC Whale Shark Day, Pintuyan On the 9th of December CCC staff, volunteers and scholars visited the waters surrounding San Ricardo, Pintuyan, in the hope of finding the largest fish in the sea, the whale shark. Having received confirmation from Sonok locals in the region that whale sharks were in the area, the team set off early in the morning to investigate. After picking up five local expert ‘whale shark spotters’ from Sonok, the Nudi Hunter ventured further south. Sure enough, after 15 minutes or so of searching, the first whale shark of the day was spotted. Snorkelers swam in awe of the 5m Whale shark no.1 glides past the view of Ben Jack (FBM) creature for almost 30 minutes! Before the gentle – Photo. Jamie Parker giant descended slowly to the depths. A second short encounter with another individual shortly after signalled the end to a truly amazing underwater experience. While the second sighting was only brief, the day as a whole will no doubt live long in the memory for all those involved. 4 Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project Philippines, December 2016 Survey Monthly Update Survey background: Since January 2013, survey efforts have been focused on assessing potential and existing Marine Protected Areas in Sogod Bay to provide appropriate management recommendations. To do this CCC uses an expanded version of the Reef Check protocol, which has been customised to perfectly fit our work in Sogod Bay. Prior to this a baseline appraisal of marine resources in Sogod Bay was carried out. If you would like more information about our surveying please contact our Project Scientist, Jamie Parker. Following the surveying completion of the Bunga proposed MPA site early in December, the CCC camp turned to end of the year boat duties. Over the Christmas period CCC members and some helping hands from Barangay Napantao residents are tasked with transporting CCC’s ‘Nudi Hunter’ survey vessel onto to shore for maintenance. We hope that after a few minor fix ups and splash of the paint the boat should be in peak condition and ready for a new survey voyage early next year in Santa Rosario. Scientific reports from all of CCC’s sites around the world are available on our website at http://www.coralcay.org/science-research/scientific-reports CCC’s survey vessel, ‘Nudi Hunter’, is slowly pulled onto the beach in Napantao – Photo. Janie Morton 5 Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project Philippines, December 2016 Marine Scholarship News Each month CCC offers Filipino nationals who display an ambition to study and protect the vital marine ecosystems of the Philippines an opportunity to take part in our Marine Conservation Scholarship. The programme lasts for one month and involves training in SCUBA diving to the level of PADI Advanced Open Water. Scholars then take part in an intensive Skills Development Programme giving them the knowledge and expertise to conduct sub-marine surveys of the coastline. This month we are welcoming back a previous CCC scholar, Jon Cabiles, who completed his Divemaster internship here in Napantao. Jon is a freelance underwater photographer who wants to shape a career in environmental photography and is currently undergoing his MSc in Environmental Science. If you would like to apply for the CCC Marine Conservation Scholarship programme or read more about it, please visit: http://www.coralcay.org/volunteer/scholarship-opportunities/ The experience as a whole taught me a lot about the career I want to pursue. Being with different people with different backgrounds showed me that everyone can learn and have different roles in the field of conservation. I just want to thank CCC for allowing me to be part of their family again. The presence of CCC in the Philippines has had a positive impact on many peoples life especially mine. I would have never thought of pursuing a career in the field of conservation if it were not from my experience at CCC. To the future scholars, the CCC experience is a journey and destination in itself. It can be tough at times and exhausting but it will be all worth it. - Jon Cabiles 6 Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project Philippines, December 2016 Marine Creature of the Month! Our creature of the month is the Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), which was spotted in shallows surrounding Napantao reef earlier this month.