DOCSLIB.ORG

Culion Municipality

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Culion Municipality BASELINE REPORT ON COASTAL RESOURCES for Culion Municipality September 2006 Prepared for: PALAWAN COUNCIL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Palawan Center for Sustainable Development Sta. Monica Heights, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines 5300 Email: [email protected] Tel.: (63-48) 434-4235, Fax: 434-4234 Funded through a loan from : JAPAN BANK FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION Prepared by: PACIFIC CONSULTANTS INTERNATIONAL in association with ALMEC Corporation CERTEZA Information Systems, Inc. DARUMA Technologies Inc. Geo-Surveys & Mapping, Inc. Photo Credits: Photos by PCSDS and SEMP-NP ECAN Zoning Component Project Management Office This report can be reproduced as long as the convenors are properly acknowledged as the source of information Reproduction of this publication for sale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without the written consent of the publisher. Printed by: Futuristic Printing Press, Puerto Princesa City, Philippines Suggested Citation: PCSDS. 2006. Baseline Report on Coastal Resources for Culion, Municipality. Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables v List of Figures vii List of Plates x List of Appendices xi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY xii CHAPTER I: CORAL REEFS 1 1.0 Introduction 1 2.0 Materials and Methods 6 3.0 Survey Results 7 4.0 Discussions 10 5.0 Summary 12 6.0 Recommendations 12 CHAPTER II: REEF FISHES 13 7.0 Introduction 13 8.0 Materials and Methods 13 9.0 Results 14 10.0 Discussions 21 11.0 Conclusions and Recommendations 22 CHAPTER III: SEAGRASSES AND SEAWEEDS 23 12.0 Introduction 23 13.0 Materials and Methods 23 14.0 Results 24 15.0 Discussions 39 16.0 Conclusions and Recommendations 40 CHAPTER IV: MARINE MAMMALS AND SEA TURTLES 42 17.0 Introduction 42 18.0 Materials and Methods 42 19.0 Survey Results 43 20.0 Discussion 54 21.0 Conclusions and Recommendations 55 ____________________________________________________________________________________ iii CHAPTER V: MANGROVE FOREST ASSESSMENT 57 22.0 Introduction 57 23.0 Objectives 57 24.0 Expected Output 57 25.0 Methods 58 26.0 Results and Discussions 62 27.0 Recommendations 82 REFERENCES 83 ____________________________________________________________________________________ iv List of Tables Table Title Page No. No. 1 Coral Reef Survey Sites Surveyed by Werner and Allen, Culion, 2 Palawan, 2000 2 Coral Survey Sites Surveyed by HAYUMA Foundation, Culion, 3 Palawan, 2000 3 Coral Reef Survey Sites of PCSDS, Culion, Palawan, 2000 4 4 Proposed Coral Reef Core Zones (Areas with More than 50% Live 9 Coral Cover) 5 Geographic Positions of Fish Survey Stations, Culion, Palawan, 2004 13 6 Total Number of Species Recorded Per Station, Culion, Palawan, 2004 15 7 Importance and Occurrences of Reef and Reef-associated Fish Species 15 Observed from Stations, Culion, Palawan 2004 8 Number of Families and Species By Category, Culion, Palawan, 2004 16 9 Species Richness and Frequency of Occurrence of Fish Families, 19 Culion, Palawan, 2004 10 Top Ten Frequency Occurring Reef Fishes, Culion, Palawan, 2004 19 11 Top Ten Frequent Occurring Target Species, Culion, Palawan, 2004 20 12 Top Ten Frequent Occurring Major Species, Culion, Palawan, 2004 20 13 Top Ten Frequent Occurring Indicator Species, Culion, Palawan, 2004 21 14 Fish Species Richness of 14 Sampling Sites from Reports of MERF, 22 1993 and Werner in 2000, Culion, Palawan, 2004 15 Location and Characteristics of the Macrophyte Stations, Culion, 25 Palawan, 2004 16 Macrophyte Cover Diversity (as Seagrass Species Richness N and 27 Seaweed Generic Richness, Culion, Palawan, 2004 17 Seagrass Occurrence Per Stations by Species, Culion, Palawan, 2004 30 18 Composition, Diversity (as Species Richness N, Range 1 to 8), and 38 Dominant Seaweed Genera Associated with Seagrass Communities in each Station, Culion, Palawan, 2004 19 Characteristics of Coastal Environments and Seagrass Communities by 41 Category by Stations (presence/absence of epiphyte load, canopy cover on bottom, diversity, ecological group, resource value to dugongs) Used as Criteria in Pinpointing Candidate ECAN Core Zones (green highlights), Culion, Palawan, 2004 20 Estimated Number of Fisherfolks in Culion 42 21 List of True and Associate Mangrove Species Identified and Recorded 63 in Culion, Palawan, 2003 and 2004 22 Distribution and Abundance of Top Ten Mangrove Species in Different 65 Sampling Sites of Culion, Palawan, 2003 and 2004 ____________________________________________________________________________________ v Table Title Page No. No. 23 The Diversity Indices of 43 Sampling Sites in Mangrove Forest of 66 Culion, Culculated Using Different Diversity Formula, Culion, Palawan, 2003 and 2004 24 The Relative Values of the Average Overall Diversity Index and 67 Evenness of Mangroves in Culion, Palawan based on Fernando Biodiversity Scale (1998) 25 Comparison of Biodiversity Index of Mangrove Habitat in Other 68 Countries/Sites, Culion, Palawan, 2003 and 2004 26 The RF, RDen, RDom, and IV of Top 15 Mangrove Species in Culion, 69 Palawan, 2003 and 2004 27 Average Stocking (N/ha) of Timber and Pole Size Trees/Transect in 69 Culion, Palawan, 2003 and 2004 3 28 Stand Volume (MP P/ha) of Timber and Pole by Transect in Culion, 71 Palawan, 2003 and 2004 29 Mangrove Index of Degradation and Ecological Condition Indices of 77 Culion Based on Forest Structure and Ecological Diversity Parameters, Culion, Palawan, 2003 and 2004 30 Ranking of Mangrove Ecological Indices for ECAN Zoning and 78 Potential Management Options, Culion, Palawan, 2003 and 2004 31 Factors Considered in Choosing Appropriate Management Strategies for 80 Mangrove Areas in Culion, Palawan, 2003 and 2004 ____________________________________________________________________________________ vi List of Figures Figure Title Page No. No. 1 SPOT 5 Satellite Image, Culion, Palawan, 2003 1 2 Coral Reef Survey Sites of Werner and Allen, Culion, Palawan, 2000 4 3 Coral Reef Sites Surveyed by HAYUMA Foundation, Inc., Culion, 5 Palawan, 2000 4 Coral Reef Sites of PCSDS, Culion, Palawan, 2000 5 5 ECAN Coral Reef Survey Sites, Culion, Palawan, 2004 7 6 Coral Reef Survey Coverage from Four Initiatives, Culion, Palawan 8 ECAN Zoning Component (2004) in Red dots, Werner and Allen (2000) in Blue dots, HAYUMA Foundation Inc., (2000) in Yellow dots, and PCSDS (2000) in Green dots 7 Proposed Coral Reef Core Zones (sites with more than 50% Live Coral 9 Cover). Symbols represent the following Initiatives: Red (ECAN 2004), Blue (Werner and Allen 2000) and Yellow (HAYUMA 2000), Culion, Palawan, 2004 8 Status of Coral Reefs from Werner and Allen (2000), HAYUMA 10 Foundation Inc., (2000), PCSDS (2000) and this Study (2004). Red dots represent Proposed Coral Core Zones or Areas with more than 50% Live Coral Cover, Blue dots are Reefs with 31-50% Live Coral Cover, Yellow dots Indicate Areas with 11-30% Live Coral Cover and Open Circles are Depauperate Reefs (less than 10% Live Coral Cover, Culion, Palawan 9 Thirteen (13) Fish Survey Stations, Culion, Palawan, 2004 14 10 Distribution of 22 Stations (Station Numbers below the black dots are 23 Stations Surveyed in Feb. 11 Distribution of 22 Macrophyte Stations by Bed Width, Culion, Palawan, 26 2004 12 Cross-bed Depth Profiles (cm. mean+/-SD) in the Macrophyte Stations, 26 Culion, Palawan, 2004 13 Seagrass Canopy Cover, as Mean ± SEM, Primary Axis) and Maximum 28 Number of Species (Diamonds, Secondary Axis) with Distance from Shore (in meters). Top Graph, Profiles in Narrow Beds (≤150m); Both Graph, Profiles in Moderately Wide Beds (≥150m), Culion, Palawan, 2004 14 Mean Seagrass Canopy Cover Per Station (range 5 to 50% depicted by 29 the Size of the Symbols). Encircled Symbols are Stations with > 40% Canopy Cover, Culion, Palawan, 2004 15 Enhalus acroroides Percent Occurrence Across Transects in all Stations, 31 Overall Range 1 to 100%, Scaled by the Size of the Symbols), Culion, Palawan, 2004 ____________________________________________________________________________________ vii Figures Title Page No. No. 16 Thalasia heprichii Percent Occurrence Across Transects in all Stations, 31 Overall Range 1 to 100%, Scaled by the Size of the Symbols), Culion, Palawan, 2004 17 Halophila ovalis Percent Occurrence Across Transects in all Stations, 32 Overall Range 1 to 100%, Scaled by the Size of the Symbols), Culion, Palawan, Palawan, 2004 18 Cymodocea rotundata Percent Occurrence Across Transects in all 32 Stations, Overall Range 1 to 100%, Scaled by the Size of the Symbols), Culion, Palawan, 2004 19 Syringodium equisetifolium Percent Occurrence Across Transects in all 33 Stations, Overall Range 1 to 100%, Scaled by the Size of the Symbols), Culion, Palawan, 2004 20 Halodule pinifolia Percent Occurrence Across Transects in all Stations, 33 Overall Range 1 to 100%, Scaled by the Size of the Symbols), Culion, Palawna, 2004 21 Halodule uninervis Percent Occurrence Across Transects in all Stations, 34 Overall Range 1 to 100%, Scaled by the Size of the Symbols), Culion, Palawan, 2004 22 Cymodocea serrulata Percent Occurrence Across Transects in all 34 Stations, Overall Range 1 to 100%, Scaled by the Size of the Symbols), Culion, Palawan, 2004 23 Distribution of Staions by A. Seagrass Species Richness N, and by B. 35 Number of Seaweeds Genera. Species Seagrass Communities are Composed of 24 Diversity of Seagrass Meadows (as Species Richness N, Range = 1 to 8, 36 Culion, Palawan, 2004 25 Two Ecological Groups of Seagrass Meadows. The Dendrogram and 37 Species Occurrence Scores are from TWINSPAN’s Classification of the
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines
    Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines November 2005 Republika ng Pilipinas PAMBANSANG LUPON SA UGNAYANG PANG-ESTADISTIKA (NATIONAL STATISTICAL COORDINATION BOARD) http://www.nscb.gov.ph in cooperation with The WORLD BANK Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines FOREWORD This report is part of the output of the Poverty Mapping Project implemented by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) with funding assistance from the World Bank ASEM Trust Fund. The methodology employed in the project combined the 2000 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES), 2000 Labor Force Survey (LFS) and 2000 Census of Population and Housing (CPH) to estimate poverty incidence, poverty gap, and poverty severity for the provincial and municipal levels. We acknowledge with thanks the valuable assistance provided by the Project Consultants, Dr. Stephen Haslett and Dr. Geoffrey Jones of the Statistics Research and Consulting Centre, Massey University, New Zealand. Ms. Caridad Araujo, for the assistance in the preliminary preparations for the project; and Dr. Peter Lanjouw of the World Bank for the continued support. The Project Consultants prepared Chapters 1 to 8 of the report with Mr. Joseph M. Addawe, Rey Angelo Millendez, and Amando Patio, Jr. of the NSCB Poverty Team, assisting in the data preparation and modeling. Chapters 9 to 11 were prepared mainly by the NSCB Project Staff after conducting validation workshops in selected provinces of the country and the project’s national dissemination forum. It is hoped that the results of this project will help local communities and policy makers in the formulation of appropriate programs and improvements in the targeting schemes aimed at reducing poverty.
    [Show full text]
  • Nuisance Behaviors of Macaques in Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan, Philippines
    PLATINUM The Journal of Threatened Taxa (JoTT) is dedicated to building evidence for conservaton globally by publishing peer-reviewed artcles online OPEN ACCESS every month at a reasonably rapid rate at www.threatenedtaxa.org. All artcles published in JoTT are registered under Creatve Commons Atributon 4.0 Internatonal License unless otherwise mentoned. JoTT allows allows unrestricted use, reproducton, and distributon of artcles in any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publicaton. Journal of Threatened Taxa Building evidence for conservaton globally www.threatenedtaxa.org ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print) Communication Nuisance behaviors of macaques in Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan, Philippines Lief Erikson Gamalo, Joselito Baril, Judeline Dimalibot, Augusto Asis, Brian Anas, Nevong Puna & Vachel Gay Paller 26 February 2019 | Vol. 11 | No. 3 | Pages: 13287–13294 DOI: 10.11609/jot.4702.11.3.13287-13294 For Focus, Scope, Aims, Policies, and Guidelines visit htps://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/about/editorialPolicies#custom-0 For Artcle Submission Guidelines, visit htps://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/about/submissions#onlineSubmissions For Policies against Scientfc Misconduct, visit htps://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/about/editorialPolicies#custom-2 For reprints, contact <[email protected]> The opinions expressed by the authors do not refect the views of the Journal of Threatened Taxa, Wildlife Informaton Liaison Development Society, Zoo Outreach Organizaton, or any of the partners. The journal, the publisher, the host, and the part- Publisher & Host ners are not responsible for the accuracy of the politcal boundaries shown in the maps by the authors.
    [Show full text]
  • The IUCN Wild Pig Challenge 2015
    The IUCN Wild Pig Challenge 2015 M ATTHEW L INKIE,JASLINE N G ,ZHI Q I L IM,MUHAMMAD I. LUBIS M ARK R ADEMAKER and E RIK M EIJAARD Abstract Asian mammal species are facing unprecedented Sumatra it is often referred to as lumba lumba pressures from hunting and habitat conversion. Efforts to (Indonesian for dolphin) because local people believe that mitigate these threats often focus on charismatic large-bodied when sounders of up to foraging pigs disappear from species, while many other species or even guilds receive less a forest patch they turn into dolphins and swim to the sea. attention, particularly Asian wild pigs. To address this we de- Also, because of their importance to many communities, veloped a rapid questionnaire survey and administered it to wild pigs are considered to be cultural keystone species. relevant experts to identify the presence, population trends The IUCN/SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group seeks to raise and conservation needs of Asia’s threatened wild pig spe- the profile of wild pigs, draw attention to their plight and cies. The results highlighted geographical differences within support conservation interventions. Of the extant pig spe- species (e.g. the near collapse of bearded pig populations in cies in the Suidae family, occur in Asia and of these are Peninsular Malaysia yet their widespread presence on threatened with extinction (categorized as Vulnerable, Borneo), and knowledge gaps for many endemic species of Endangered or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red the Philippines, notably the Critically Endangered Visayan List; IUCN, ), mainly as a result of hunting and loss of warty pig Sus cebifrons.
    [Show full text]
  • ADDRESSING ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE in the PHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES Second-Largest Archipelago in the World Comprising 7,641 Islands
    ADDRESSING ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE IN THE PHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES Second-largest archipelago in the world comprising 7,641 islands Current population is 100 million, but projected to reach 125 million by 2030; most people, particularly the poor, depend on biodiversity 114 species of amphibians 240 Protected Areas 228 Key Biodiversity Areas 342 species of reptiles, 68% are endemic One of only 17 mega-diverse countries for harboring wildlife species found 4th most important nowhere else in the world country in bird endemism with 695 species More than 52,177 (195 endemic and described species, half 126 restricted range) of which are endemic 5th in the world in terms of total plant species, half of which are endemic Home to 5 of 7 known marine turtle species in the world green, hawksbill, olive ridley, loggerhead, and leatherback turtles ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE The value of Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) is estimated at $10 billion–$23 billion per year, making wildlife crime the fourth most lucrative illegal business after narcotics, human trafficking, and arms. The Philippines is a consumer, source, and transit point for IWT, threatening endemic species populations, economic development, and biodiversity. The country has been a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity since 1992. The value of IWT in the Philippines is estimated at ₱50 billion a year (roughly equivalent to $1billion), which includes the market value of wildlife and its resources, their ecological role and value, damage to habitats incurred during poaching, and loss in potential
    [Show full text]
  • The Philippines
    THE PHILIPPINES contemporary yacht charter 2020 1963 ITINERARY Yacht charter in the Philippines is growing slowly but surely. It is an excellent The Philippines is made up of more than 7,000 islands, surrounded by clear blue water. sailing destination for those who are looking for new and unexplored territories. It is famous for its sandy white beaches, first-class diving and water sports. With impressive The Philippines has many attractions that will surely amaze you and guarantee and varied volcanoes and dense jungle landscapes, island hopping trips in the Philippines a unique, exciting and impressive yacht charter vacation. are the perfect way to experience everything this island country has to offer. 1963 Your voyage begins at Honda Bay, offering a variety of exciting leisure Puerto Princesa is Palawan’s bustling capital and the main arrival hub by plane activities. The butterfly garden will be filled with various fascinating species, and ferry to the Island. Known as the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines, and in the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center you will discover it is located in a splendid natural environment, offering beautiful beaches the local fauna. The Church of the Immaculate Conception is a famous and pristine forest hills. religious building in the heart of the old town, worth a visit. Don’t miss the Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. DAY 1 1963 PUERTO PRINCESA Photo by paweesit on Foter.com / CC BY-ND El Nido is the main base for exploring the Bacuit Archipelago, a charming Get ready to travel through one of the most lovely, unspoilt and exciting places attraction in Palawan.
    [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]
  • Behind the Scenes
    ©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd 467 Behind the Scenes SEND US YOUR FEEDBACK We love to hear from travellers – your comments keep us on our toes and help make our books better. Our well-travelled team reads every word on what you loved or loathed about this book. Although we cannot reply individually to your submissions, we always guarantee that your feed- back goes straight to the appropriate authors, in time for the next edition. Each person who sends us information is thanked in the next edition – the most useful submissions are rewarded with a selection of digital PDF chapters. Visit lonelyplanet.com/contact to submit your updates and suggestions or to ask for help. Our award-winning website also features inspirational travel stories, news and discussions. Note: We may edit, reproduce and incorporate your comments in Lonely Planet products such as guidebooks, websites and digital products, so let us know if you don’t want your comments reproduced or your name acknowledged. For a copy of our privacy policy visit lonelyplanet.com/ privacy. their advice and thoughts; Andy Pownall; Gerry OUR READERS Deegan; all you sea urchins – you know who Many thanks to the travellers who used you are, and Jim Boy, Zaza and Eddie; Alexan- the last edition and wrote to us with der Lumang and Ronald Blantucas for the lift helpful hints, useful advice and interesting with accompanying sports talk; Maurice Noel anecdotes: ‘Wing’ Bollozos for his insight on Camiguin; Alan Bowers, Angela Chin, Anton Rijsdijk, Romy Besa for food talk; Mark Katz for health Barry Thompson, Bert Theunissen, Brian advice; and Carly Neidorf and Booners for their Bate, Bruno Michelini, Chris Urbanski, love and support.
    [Show full text]
  • Palawan Liner Shipping Developmentak Routes Report
    LINER SHIPPING ROUTE STUDY FINAL REPORT VOLUME IX PALAWAN LINER SHIPPING DEVELOPMENTAK ROUTES REPORT November 1994 Submitted to United States Agency for International Development Manila, Philippines Support for Development Program 11: Philippine Sea Transport Consultancy Project No. 492-0450 Prepared by Nathan Associates Inc. under Contract No. 492-0450-C-00-2157-00 The Liner Shipping Route Stutly (LSRS) and the MARINA and SHIPPERCON STUDY (MARSH Study) were conducted, during 1993-1994, under the Philippine Sea Transport Consultancy (PSTC). The Final Report of the LSRS comprises 14 volumes and the Final Report of the MARSH Study comprises 5 volumes. This technical assistance was made possible through the support provided by the Office of Program Economics, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in the Philippines. The views, expressions and opinions contained in this and other volumes of the LSRS Final :Report are those of the authors and of Nathan Associates, and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID. 1. INTRODVCTION 1 Development Route Reports Palawan Island & Ports PALSDERR Developmental Route Proposals Organization of PALSDERR- 2. PALAUAN INTERISLAND SHIPPING EiERVICES & PORT TRAFFIC 9 3. CARGO SERVICE STANDARDS 21 Fishery Products Livestock 4. PASSENGER SERVICE STANDARDS 25 5. PUERTO PRINCESA-CEBU LINER SH1:PPING DEVELOPHENTAL ROUTE Liner Service Options Market Analysis PALSDERR Procedure 30 Puerto Princesa 1991-1993 Cargo Flows 32 Trade with Cebu Trade with Manila Puerto Princesa-Cebu-Air Passenger Traffic 35 Economic Analysis 37 6. PALAWAN-ZAHBOANGA LINER SHIPPING DEVELOPHENTAL ROUTE Liner Service Options Market Analysis Sulu Sea Service Option 40 Cagayan de Tawi Tawi Opt ion 4 1 Eccirlomic Analysis 42 7.
    [Show full text]
  • A Look at Wildlife Farming in PHL
    FeaturesBiodiversity A look at wildlife farming in PHL ByJONATHAN L. MAYUGA MARCH 21, 2021 Hunted in the wild, crocodiles and monkeys are now “thriving” in wildlife farms in the Philippines. The population of saltwater crocodiles like this from the province of Palawan and long-tailed macaques like this in the forests of Tawi-Tawi was on the decline prompting the introduction of wildlife farming of the species. Farming monkeys in the Philippines started in 1984, while farming crocodiles began in 1987. The Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species (CITES) recently published data for 2019 based on reports of countries in compliance with the international treaty. Based on the trade data, the Philippines reported the export of 1,053 captive-bred long-tailed macaques for biomedical research to the United States. The significant increase in the number of exported live monkeys from 140 in 2018 to 1,053 in 2019, a year before the global pandemic, did not escape the attention of animal rights group Action for Primates (AP). “Prior to 2018, the last recorded export of long-tailed macaques was in 2015 when the Philippines recorded 676, again to Japan,” Sarah Kite, the spokesman for Action for Primates told the BusinessMirror via e-mail on March 3. Appeal to authorities AP has been appealing to countries like the Philippines not to allow the capture of wild long-tailed macaques for captive breeding and eventually, export of their progenies. Kite said: “The large increase in the number of long-tailed macaques exported from the Philippines for research purposes during 2019 is alarming.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction MIMAROPA
    The Use of CBMS as a Tool for Implementing Development Strategies* “With CBMS, there is more to gain.” Introduction MIMAROPA Region was created through Executive Order No. 108 issued by Her Excellency PGMA on May 17, 2002 dividing the Southern Tagalog Region into CALABARZON Region and MIMAROPA Region. It is composed of the five island provinces of Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan. It has 2 cities, 71 municipalities and 1,458 barangays. As of 2000, it has a total population of 2.3 million, with 2.67 percent growth rate. Total land area of the region is 27,456.01 square kilometers representing about 9 percent of the country’s total land area. MIMAROPA Region is a major source of agricultural products and host diverse tourist destinations. It is a major producer of palay, coconut, banana, citrus, cassava, vegetables and marine products which can be utilized for various food/agri-processing industry. The region is also the home of natural wonders, which can be tapped for tourism development. With these, the Regional Development Council (RDC), the highest policy and coordinating body in the region, adopted the following vision: to become the food basket of Metro Manila and CALABARZON, a gateway to Southern Philippines and a major tourism destination. Status of CBMS Application in Region IV-B The provinces of Palawan and Marinduque were earlier included as pilot areas of CBMS implementation. Presently they are already in the fourth and second round of updating their CBMS, respectively. Romblon province is in the stage of processing its first CBMS data.
    [Show full text]
  • Watching the Monkeys
    Watching the monkeys by Luis Wilfrido Atienza onkeys’ interactions with people could be manage macaques’ negative behavior and minimize M deleterious to their species. How so? A conflict between macaques and humans: the team of researchers from the University of the development of policies and practices to balance the Philippines Mindanao, the University of the macaques’ welfare, the locals’ welfare, and the Philippines Los Baños, and the Puerto Princesa park’s status as a popular tourist destination. While Subterranean River National Park Management there are many studies looking into human-macaque Office wanted to shed some light on the long-tailed interactions, very few deal with the Philippines macaque’s interactions with humans. specifically. The long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis), also The researchers observed macaques for 165 hours in known as the crab-eating macaque, is a species of August and September 2017 in the park’s Central monkey found all over Southeast Asia. One of the Park Station. They interviewed park personnel, most common primate species, it is known for its accessed their database of tourist complaints, and frequent interactions with humans. Countries such as surveyed over 300 households in the area. The Thailand, Indonesia, and Cambodia are known for researchers wanted to get insight into not only how their temples, nature parks, and urban areas where the macaques and humans interacted but also what large numbers of this species of monkey gather and the attitudes of the locals and tourists had toward the interact with locals and tourists. macaques. Ideally the researchers would shed light on any ongoing or potential human-macaque conflict This species of monkey is also common throughout and on how to solve or preemptively address it.
    [Show full text]
  • 10 THINGS to DO in CORON, PALAWAN by Mark Antnony Barquin Togonon
    10 THINGS TO DO IN CORON, PALAWAN by Mark Antnony Barquin Togonon The boatman signals me to snorkel further to see the extensive growth of corals, which he says look like a human brain. According to him, sightings of the Black Tip Sharks, Napoleon Wrasses, Eagle Rays and Bumpheads have been reported in the area so I maintain a sharp lookout for them as I swim across the profusion of healthy Cabbage Corals and Elephant Ear sponges. Large coral tables, densely surrounded by soft and branching corals, serve as playground to a school of butterfly fish, whose flat disk-shaped bodies glisten with hues of yellow and red. Startled by my presence, a group of speckled angelfish flit about. A clown fish storms back and forth from the pink tentacles of an anemone, as if threatening me not to swim closer to its home. It’s not difficult to understand why the Forbes Traveler Magazine listed Coron as one of the ten best Scuba diving destinations in the world. Located in the Calamian Islands in northern Palawan, Coron is famous for its remarkable marine life and a dozen WWII Japanese shipwrecks of depths between 10 and 40 meters. Besides the underwater spectacle, there is so much to see and experience in the island that planning your itinerary can be quite a challenge. Here are 10 activities you dare not miss. 1. VISIT CORON ISLAND’S LAKES AND LAGOONS Colossal and riveting, the black karst formations erupting from the cobalt blue waters of Coron Island will render you breathless. Hidden among these cliffs are thirteen mysterious lakes, two of which are open to tourists: Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake.
    [Show full text]