Strengthen Coral-Rich Marine Protected Areas Archives - Page 3 of 5 - Oceana Philippines

Capturing the Captivating Panaon Island

While the science team was busy lugging their equipment for research, Marco Biemann’s weapon of choice was a video camera. Together with his team, their task was to film the entire expedition, especially underwater, and create a documentary that will allow others to see the beauty of Panaon Island. We talked to Marco to learn more about a filmmaker’s life … Read more

Community Conservation at Work

Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) was established in Belize in 1986 emerging from a need to take action and conserve coral reefs that were showing signs of degradation. With the Philippines located right in the heart of the Coral Triangle, this makes it a perfect project site for CCC. Tom Dallison, Head of Science, explains the reach and roots of CCC in Panaon Island.   How did Coral … Read more

Smooth and Safe Sailing

Planning an expedition under normal circumstance is hard enough in itself. But an expedition during a pandemic? No mean feat. Let’s talk to Dr. Edna De Castro, the expedition team’s doctor onboard and learn how meticulous planning kept the entire crew safe and healthy during their journey.     How different is it to provide medical support to an expedition compared to … Read more

On Coral Resiliency

  This article was written by Alvin Simon, Oceana Marine Scientist.  We have lost half of the world’s coral reefs in the last 30 years. It is projected that in the next century, only about 10 percent of our coral reefs will survive if we do not put an end to unsustainable practices and overexploitation … Read more

Municipalities for MPAs: San Ricardo, Southern Leyte

Hon. Roy Y. Salinas, Mayor of San Ricardo, Southern Leyte reveals their municipality’s initiatives to strengthen their MPAs. Can you tell us about the Benit-Timba MPA? What can be found in this MPA?   Benit-Timba MPA was established in 1996 through an initiative of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ Fishery Sector Program. It was managed by … Read more

Municipalities for MPAs: Pintuyan, Southern Leyte

Hon. Rustico Estrella Sr., Mayor of Pintuyan, Southern Leyte reveals their municipality’s initiatives to strengthen their MPAs. Can you tell us about the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Pintuyan? What can be found in these MPAs?   Pintuyan has six MPAs and two marine reserves. These are situated in the following coastal barangays, namely:   Nueva Estrella Norte – Nueva Estrella Norte MPA/MR (total area: … Read more

Municipalities for MPAs: San Francisco, Southern Leyte

Hon. Fe G. Maruhom, Mayor of San Francisco, Southern Leyte reveals their municipality’s initiatives to strengthen their MPAs. Can you tell us about the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in San Francisco? What can be found in these MPAs?   San Francisco currently has three MPAs, as follows:  Napantao MPA This was established in the 1990s after Mr. Rio Cahimbing discovered the famous “Rio’s Wall” which … Read more

Municipalities for MPAs: Liloan, Southern Leyte

Hon. Shirlita Chong, Mayor of Liloan, Southern Leyte reveals their municipality’s initiatives to strengthen their MPAs. Can you tell us about the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in San Francisco? What can be found in these MPAs?   The four marine protected areas of Liloan were established thru the collaborative efforts of the different agencies as well as stakeholders. NGOs, national, … Read more

Scientist Spotlight: Kent Sorgon

Dive deep into the minds and hearts of our scientists on board MV Discovery Palawan. For our third issue, we are featuring the Expedition Team’s reef fish ecology and taxonomy expert, Kent Sorgon.   Kent Elson Sorgon MSc Zoology, UP Los BañosMinor in Marine Science, UP Marine Science Institute   What made you decide to become a marine scientist?  … Read more