Community Based Marine Reserves, a Philippine First

by Alan T. White, Int Cent for Living Aquatic, Resources Management, Manila, Philipp,
Gail C. Savina, Int Cent for Living Aquatic, Resources Management, Manila, Philipp,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Zone '87

Abstract:

This paper describes the Marine Conservation and Development Program (MCDP) of Silliman University, Dumaguete, Philippines. MCDP was a two-year project designed to enable three local communities to protect and/or enhance their marine resources through the initiation of local marine management in the form of marine reserves. Community organization and education were the main methods use to stimulate community activity at these sites. The project showed that it is possible to organize communities to manage their own coral reef resources. The presence of the marine reserve/sanctuaries led to measurable changes in reef quality within a period of only one year. At all three sites there were significant increases in both the number of fish species and the abundance of individual fishes found in the sanctuaries. This is a direct response to decreased fishing pressure in the sanctuaries.

Subject Headings: Aquatic habitats | Reefs and sills | Fish and fishery management | Resource management | Developing countries | Water-based recreation | Urban and regional development | Philippines | Asia

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