Benefits of Coral Reefs and Conservation

Benefits of Coral Reefs

●       The coral reefs are an important source of income for millions of local small-scale fishers. These small-scale fishers contribute up to 1 billion US dollars annually to the country’s economy.

●       Provides the growing population with a source of food. Coral reefs can provide up to 35 t/km^2/yr of edible fish.

●       Great tourist attraction, which will bring revenue to local places where these coral reefs exists, allowing for these places to develop.

●       Provides a natural protection to the shoreline from waves and storms.

Protected Areas

●       Sumilon Marine Reserve

●       Apo Island Reserve

●       Tubbataha Reefs

Status

●       Sumilon Marine Reserve- Phillipine’s first marine protected area under the guidance of Siliman University. From 1974 on, 25% of the Sulimon’s coral reefs were protected, allowing fish yields to improve. However protection beginning in 1985 decreased, and in a span of three years, local fisherman over-fished the reserve causing fish yields to decrease. Also, live coral in reserve were also destroyed by the fishermen. The benefits of the protection quickly diminished, but the protection showed that coral reefs could be restored.

●       Apo Island Reserve- Coral reef protection began in 1982, creating a sanctuary where all fishing was banned. It was met by resistance by locals at first, but then the locals began to protect the area once they saw the results. They saw an increase in fish catch in less fishing time. There was also an increase in large predatory fish, and and biomass and specie diversity have also increased.

●       Tubbataha Reefs- The 33,200-hectare area is the only national marine park in the Philippines. Fishing is banned from this area, and the area is being patrolled by the navy to prevent illegal fishing. The condition of the coral reefs improved dramatically and the fish biomass doubled yearly from 166 to 318 metric tonnes per square kilometer.