Philippine marine biodiversity in WPS: challenges and ......1 Philippine marine biodiversity in WPS:...
Transcript of Philippine marine biodiversity in WPS: challenges and ......1 Philippine marine biodiversity in WPS:...
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Philippine marine
biodiversity in WPS:
challenges and
opportunities
Deo Florence L. Onda, Ph.D.
The Marine Science Institute
University of the Philippines - Diliman
Philippines:
an archipelagic nation
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International Treaty LimitsExclusive Economic Zone
Coastal
Image: MA Juinio-Menez
Filipinos depend
on the seas for
different needs,
including food
PEMSEA, 2018
Ocean Economy contributes ~7% to GDP
WPS: An important fishing
grounds
134,244.25 MT Annual municipal fisheries production (2012)
North Philippine Sea / Philippine Rise Region
129,615.40 MT Annual municipal fisheries production (2012)
West Philippine Sea
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Municipal waters (15 km from the
shore) have higher fisheries
production per unit area than EEZ
Why is WPS EEZ important?
(1) Fisheries and food
(2) Habitat and ecological connectivity
(3) Undervalued ecosystem services
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Fisheries and Food
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38.6%
535,558 km2
50%
693,675 km2
11.4%
156,695 km2
WPS EEZ has
larger total
area than
municipal
waters
resulting higher
accumulated fisheries
production compared to
all municipalities
combined
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10 fishes /
km2
1 x 1 km
X 10 km2
MW
100
fishes
1 x 1 km
3 fishes /
km2
X 100 km2
EEZ
300
fishes
Higher density
(Municipal)
Lower density
(EEZ)
Higher accumulated
fisheries
In KIG, estimated to
have commercial
fisheries potential of
46 to 105 US$ /km 2
per year (Alino et al.,
1996)
Key is Exclusive Access
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Habitat and
Connectivity
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(1) Fisheries
(food supply) (2) Habitat
Coral reefs are the main marine
habitats sustaining fisheries and productivity of
Philippine Seas
PEMSEA 2018
Spratlys Group of Islands 12
https://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/urgentissues/oceans/understanding-ocean-benefits/index.htm
Coral reefs are home to 25% of known marine species,
but coral reefs occupy an area of less than 1% of the
world’s oceans. 13
Healthy Reefs =
Food Security
Slide courtesy of W Campos, UPV14
Reefs depend on each other = Ecological Connectivity
SOURCE
SINK
(Villanoy et al., In prep)
KIG is an important source of larvae in the SCS Region
The reefs are
interconnected at
varying degrees.
Adjacent reefs are
stepping stones.
But most of the reefs
are in a sad state.
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WPS is an
important habitat
both for settling
(sink) and
release (source)
of larvae and
eggs
Thesis: Patrick Pata, 2015
Connectivity of offshore and nearshore ecosystems
Allozyme markers
• Linckia laevigata
• Tridacna crocea
Ravago et al. 2001, Juinio-Meñez et al. 2003, Juinio-Meñez et al. 2004
Strong connectivity between offshore and nearshore reef ecosystems
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Undervalued Ecosystem
Services
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“to raise awareness and convey the
(relative) importance of ecosystems
and biodiversity to policy makers.” (de Groot et al., 2012)
Services in terms of $$$$?
Global estimates of the value of ecosystems and
their services in monetary units (de Groot et al., 2012)
CORAL REEF Int.$/ha/yr
Provisioning services 55,724
Food 677
Raw Materials 21,528
Genetic resources 33,048
Ornamental resources 472
Regulating services 171,478
Climate regulation 1,188
Disturbance moderation
16,991
Waste treatment 85
Erosion prevention 153,214
Habitat services 16,210
Genetic diversity 16,210
Cultural services 108,837
Aesthetic information 11,390
Recreation 96,302
Cognitive information 1,145
Total economic value 352,249
$350,000 /ha/yr
Coral Reef Ecosystem services value
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Limited to no access
Poaching, harvesting and
degradation
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Global average -
$35/m2
Penalty paid by US
Navy in Tubbataha
- $300/m2
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Other important habitats
Seaweeds Seagrasses
Photos: PROTECT WPS, Dr. Wilfred Santianez Photos: PROTECT WPS, Dr. Michael Roleda
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Fisheries and
Food
Undervalued
Ecosystem
Services
Habitats
(Corals)
Marine
Ecosystem
(WPS)
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/03/160310-aquarium-saltwater-tropical-fish-cyanide-coral-reefs/
Protecting our seas and
oceans is tantamount to
protecting the future
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Marine and Coastal
Ecosystems = Monetary
Value PHP 23.701T
(in 2007 prices)
Public Policy (2017)
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/03/160310-aquarium-saltwater-tropical-fish-cyanide-coral-reefs/
Overfishing and
destructive
fishing methods
lead to the
decrease of fish
and destruction of
their habitat
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Significant decline in
fish diversity, abundance
and biomass
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Care-CADRES 2017
Low biomass in areas with high diversity and abundance
Predicting Responses between
Ocean Transport and Ecological
Connectivity of Threatened
ecosystems in the West
Philippines Sea (PROTECT-
WPS)
Program Leader and Chief Scientist:
Deo Florence L. Onda, PhD
Coastal & Marine Ecosystems Management Program (CMEMP)
Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB)
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
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Evidence of direct
human activities
Photo: Care-Cadres, Dr. Hazel Arceo/Dr. Cesar Villanoy
Photo: PROTECT WPS – DENR-BMB
Reclamation - loss of 300 acres of coral
reefs which result in economic losses of
around $100 million each year (DFA,
2015)
Massive reclamation activities are
causing irreversible and widespread
damage to the biodiversity and ecological
balance of the West Philippine Sea
(South China Sea)
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/120683/100m-in-
economic-losses-incurred-yearly-due-to-chinas-
reclamation-in-disputed-seas#ixzz5iJNVpm1l
Implications to fish and
other species
populations?
Degrading Environment
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Plastics are reaching far flung places such as the
Kalayaan Island Group in the Spratlys
Predicting Responses between Ocean
Transport and Ecological Connectivity of
Threatened Ecosystems in the West
Philippine Sea (PROTECT-WPS)
April 25
April 26
April 27April 28-29April 30
May 1-3
May 3-5
RV Kasarinlan
MMOV Lapu-Lapu April 22 – Send-off
April 26
April 27April 30
May 1-3
Photos: PROTECT WPS, Kevin Labrador
Photos: PROTECT WPS, Dr. Deo Onda
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New and emerging threats: human pollution
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The Philippines and the changing environment
Sea surface temperature anomaly in the archipelago34
David et al. 2012
Extreme heating event
Increased ocean
temperature
Ocean acidification
Sea level rise
Extreme rainfall events
MSI’s calls
• Stop, deter and avoid activities that may further compromise - strictly implement laws and policies that are already in place;
• Multilateral marine protected areas (MPAs), along with international scientific cooperation on joint studies and expeditions in South China Sea
• Invest more on Science and Technology (S&T) in our EEZ
• Creation of a separate Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)
• MOVEMENT for RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP
• Public information and education – stop misinformation and disinformation
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Thank you!