TUBBATAHA REEF

TUBBATAHA REEFLOCATION

Middle of theSulu Sea, approximately 50km southeast of Puerto Princesa City in PalawanTUBBATAHA REEF NATIONAL PARKTubbataha Reefs Natural Park lies in a unique position in the centre of the Sulu Sea, and includes the Tubbataha and Jessie Beazley Reefs. It protects an area of almost 100,000 hectares of high quality marine habitats containing three atolls and a large area of deep sea.BIODIVERSITYThe reefs support 374 species of corals, almost 90% of all coral species in the Philippines. BIODIVERSITYThe reefs and seas also support eleven species of cetaceans, eleven species of sharks, and an estimated 479 species of fish, including the iconic and threatened Napoleon wrasse.

BIODIVERSITY

Supports the highest population densities known in the world for white tip reef sharks. BIODIVERSITYPelagic species such as jacks, tuna, barracuda, manta rays, whale sharks and different species of sharks also are common

BIODIVERSITYResting and juvenile development area for two species of endangered marine turtles: green turtles and hawksbill turtles.

BIODIVERSITYThere are seven breeding species of seabirds and Bird Islet and South Islet are breeding grounds to seven resident and endangered breeding species of seabirds.

BIODIVERSITY

The critically endangered Christmas Island Frigatebird is also a regular visitor here.GLOBAL AND ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCETubbatahas position at the centre of the Coral Triangle means it has a key role to play in marine biodiversity conservation and, ultimately, in keeping our oceans alive. It plays a key role in the process of reproduction, dispersal and colonization by marine organisms in the whole Sulu Sea system, and helps support fisheries outside its boundaries.GLOBAL AND ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCEIt is a natural laboratory for the study of ecological and biological processes, displaying the ongoing process of coral reef formation, and supporting a large number of marine species dependant on reef ecosystems.GLOBAL AND ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCEIt offers a demonstration site to study the responses of a natural reef system in relation to the impacts of climate change.THREATSIllegal Use

One current problem is that Topshells, the protected shell speciesTrochus niloticus, are being stolen at night by people entering the park by boat from mainland Palawan. The Topshells are sold and made into shirt buttons, jewellery and ornaments. Topshells are important to marine ecosystems because they act as natural cleaners of corals and serve as food for other marine life.hey filter the sea bottom and help maintain the health of the marine environment. From 2006 to 2008, there was a striking 80 percent decline in the population of Topshells in Tubbataha. Night patrols continue to be conducted but the sheer size of the Park (97,030 hectares) makes law enforcement challenging.14THREATSCrown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS)

In 2007, the first outbreak of crown-of-thorns starfish(COTS) (Acanthaster planci) was observed in Tubbataha. According to a study conducted in 2010, the Crown-of-thorns in Tubbataha are a native species that propagate in deep water and migrate to shallow water as they grow. Although the COTS population has slowly declined since 2010, outbreaks need to be continually controlled by manual removal and sodium bisulfate injections. According to the study similar outbreaks may occur within the next 2 to 4 years.THREATSMarine DebrisThe volume of debris in our oceans increases every year. Plastic garbage is a threat to marine animals as it is often mistaken for food, which can cause injury or death. Birds nests in Tubbataha are frequently built from plastic food wraps, while abandoned fishing lines made from nylon have caused the death of numerous seabirds. The Marine Park Rangers conduct regular surface water and coastal cleanups and non-biodegradable garbage is transported to the landfill site in Puerto Princesa City.THREATSClimate ChangeHuman-induced climate change is perhaps the single biggest threat to the future of Tubbataha.Under stress, such as increased water temperatures and ocean acidification, corals may expel their zooxanthellae, which leads to a lighter or completely white appearance, termed bleached. Although it may appear so, when a coral bleaches, it is not dead. Corals can survive a bleaching event, but they are under stress and are at risk of dying.THREATSOther threats include:Shipping, Marine litter, Fishing, Marine pollution and Oil exploration.CONSERVATION EFFORTSIn 1988, upon the endorsement of the Provincial Government of Palawan, President Corazon Aquino declaredTubbataha a National Marine Park. In 1992, the site was listed as aUNESCO World Heritage site.CONSERVATION EFFORTSTubbataha Reefs Natural Park is legally protected through national protected areas legislation and a range of other environmental legislation which enable action to be taken against a wide range of threats. The implementation of the legislation is assisted by clear delegation to the management authority for the property.RELATED NEWSA Year Hence Justice for Tubbataha UndeliveredByTubbataha Management Office Published on January 17, 2014 11:28 am

A year after the tragic grounding of the USS Guardian in the Tubbataha Reefs, justice remains unserved.

Exactly a year ago a US warship struck the reefs in South Atoll of the Tubbataha Reefs in the Sulu Sea causing a costly two-month salvage operation. The tragedy left a 2, 345.67 sqm reef area scarred and marred for a long time to come.

However, a petition filed against the US government by other concerned groups has apparently stalled the process. In a letter dated 19 Sep 2013, the DFA said that it would be prudent to wait until the petition on the Writ of Kalikasan is resolved before the claim is pursued to avoid legal and diplomatic issues. (FullA year after the tragic grounding of the USS Guardian in the Tubbataha Reefs, justice remains unserved.Exactly a year ago a US warship struck the reefs in South Atoll of the Tubbataha Reefs in the Sulu Sea causing a costly two-month salvage operation. The tragedy left a 2, 345.67 sqm reef area scarred and marred for a long time to come.The Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board (TPAMB) was been quick in informing the US Embassy, the US Navy and the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the violations committed against the Tubbataha Law and the corresponding penalties.For the violation of the Law (RA 10067), the TPAMB is levying a fine of USD1.4M (PhP58.3M) for coral damage and other violations. These include infringement of Section 19 (Unauthorized entry), Section 20 (Damages to the reef), Section 21 (Non- payment of conservation fees), Section 26g (Destroying, disturbing resources) and Section 30 (Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers) of RA 10067.Repeated commitments on the settlement of the fine were expressed by the US government through the media and through communications with the TPAMB. The Philippine government through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), on the other hand, assured the TPAMB that the claims will be pursued.However, a petition filed against the US government by other concerned groups has apparently stalled the process. In a letter dated 19 Sep 2013, the DFA said that it would be prudent to wait until the petition on the Writ of Kalikasan is resolved before the claim is pursued to avoid legal and diplomatic issues.The damaged reefs, a year after the onslaughtThe grounding scars left by the USS Guardian are now barely discernible, marine scientists reported after its second assessment trip in October 2013. However, this is not because the corals have grown back, but because algae have completely colonized the damaged area.The proliferation of algae may have made the scar disappear but the wounds have not fully healed. There is a long wait ahead for the once productive area to recover.Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is the largest marine protected area in the Philippines and has been in protection for 25 years. It plays an important role as the major source of fish and coral eggs in the Sulu Sea. Its continued protection contributes to the food security of the nation.

21RELATED NEWSUSS Guardian relied on 'inaccurate' digital maps of Tubbataha - intel agencyAugust 14, 2013 10:13pm

A US Navy minesweeper that ran aground on the Tubbataha Reef last January carried digital nautical charts containing inaccurate data placing one of the world's best known dive sites approximately eight nautical miles east-southeast of its actual location, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) report Wednesday.

Citing documents made public based on a Freedom of Information Request, the state-run PNA said the US government's National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) discovered the error during an initial review of the nautical charts supplied to the USS Guardian.Although our General DNC holdings are consistent with our hard copy charts and displays the reef in the correct location, our Coastal DNC was incorrect, NGA director Letitia Long said in an unclassified memorandum to the US Navy's chief of naval operations.A US Navy minesweeper that ran aground on the Tubbataha Reef last January carried digital nautical charts containing inaccurate data placing one of the world's best known dive sites approximately eight nautical miles east-southeast of its actual location, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) report Wednesday.

The USS Guardiandamaged 2,345.67 square meters of the reef, declared a World Heritage Site for its wealth of marine life, when it repeatedly rammed into a coral reef slope. The vessel had to be removed piece by piece on site to prevent further destruction on the reef.

As of July, the US Navy had yet to pay for the damage, according to the Tubbataha Management Office.

Citing documents made public based on a Freedom of Information Request, the state-run PNA said the US government's National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) discovered the error during an initial review of the nautical charts supplied to the USS Guardian.Although our General DNC holdings are consistent with our hard copy charts and displays the reef in the correct location, our Coastal DNC was incorrect, NGA director Letitia Long said in an unclassified memorandum to the US Navy's chief of naval operations.

She said thecharts contained erroneous commercial satellite imagery, prompting the NGA to conduct a comprehensive review of its source data.Long'sNGA memowas posted online on July 29 at the governmentattic.org watchdog website.The PNA report also quoted from an earlier160-page post-wreck investigation reportin which Admiral Cecil Haney, the commander of the US Pacific Fleet said the "USS Guardian leadership and watch teams failed to adhere to prudent, safe, and sound navigation principles which would have alerted them to approaching dangers with sufficient time to take mitigating action."

The USS Guardian relied exclusively on GPS for their navigation and ignored the flashes from the lighthouse on Tubbataha's south islet, the investigation report said.Haney said last May 22 that the lack of leadership consisted of the disregard of visual cues, electronic cues and alarms in the hours leading up to the grounding, and that an ultimate reliance on what would turn out to be inaccurate Digital Nautical Charts (DNC).The commander, assistant navigator, and officer on deck when the USS Guardian grounded were relieved of their duties on April 3... Further administrative action is under consideration. ELR, GMA News

22RELATED NEWSShell Philippines Tubbataha Advocacy Campaign won Philippines Quill AwardByTubbataha Management OfficePublished on November 15, 2013 6:57 pm

Shell Philippines Exploration received the Award of Excellence during the Philippines Quill Awards 2013 held at the Crowne Plaza on 11 November 2013 for its work, Beauty, Bounty and Shared Heritage: 25 Years of Protecting Tubbataha. The Quill award is given by the International Association of Business Communicators in recognition ofexemplary communications practices in the private sector.In the photo: Receiving the Award of Excellence for Beauty, Bounty and Shared Heritage: 25 years of Protecting Tubbataha, are (L-R) Shell Philippines Exploration Social Performance Manager, Sankie Simbulan, Managing Director, Baste Quiniones, Tubbataha Protected Area Superintendent, Angelique Songco, Pilipinas Shell Foundation Programme Manager, Marvi Trudeau, and Shell Philippines Exploration Upstream Communications Manager, Paulo GavinoA year after the tragic grounding of the USS Guardian in the Tubbataha Reefs, justice remains unserved.Exactly a year ago a US warship struck the reefs in South Atoll of the Tubbataha Reefs in the Sulu Sea causing a costly two-month salvage operation. The tragedy left a 2, 345.67 sqm reef area scarred and marred for a long time to come.The Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board (TPAMB) was been quick in informing the US Embassy, the US Navy and the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the violations committed against the Tubbataha Law and the corresponding penalties.For the violation of the Law (RA 10067), the TPAMB is levying a fine of USD1.4M (PhP58.3M) for coral damage and other violations. These include infringement of Section 19 (Unauthorized entry), Section 20 (Damages to the reef), Section 21 (Non- payment of conservation fees), Section 26g (Destroying, disturbing resources) and Section 30 (Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers) of RA 10067.Repeated commitments on the settlement of the fine were expressed by the US government through the media and through communications with the TPAMB. The Philippine government through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), on the other hand, assured the TPAMB that the claims will be pursued.However, a petition filed against the US government by other concerned groups has apparently stalled the process. In a letter dated 19 Sep 2013, the DFA said that it would be prudent to wait until the petition on the Writ of Kalikasan is resolved before the claim is pursued to avoid legal and diplomatic issues.The damaged reefs, a year after the onslaughtThe grounding scars left by the USS Guardian are now barely discernible, marine scientists reported after its second assessment trip in October 2013. However, this is not because the corals have grown back, but because algae have completely colonized the damaged area.The proliferation of algae may have made the scar disappear but the wounds have not fully healed. There is a long wait ahead for the once productive area to recover.Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is the largest marine protected area in the Philippines and has been in protection for 25 years. It plays an important role as the major source of fish and coral eggs in the Sulu Sea. Its continued protection contributes to the food security of the nation.

23TRIVIAOne of the Philippines oldest ecosystemsThe name TUBBATAHA is a Samal word for long reef exposed at low tide. Samals are seafaring people of the Sulu See.TRIVIASince divers discovered Tubbataha in the late 1970s, it has become recognised as one of the most remarkable coral reefs on our planet. The CNN travel website, cnngo.com, ranks it among the top eight dive sites in the world.

Species Found in Tubbataha Reef600 species of fish360 species of corals (about half of all coral species in the world)11 species of sharks13 species of dolphins & whales100 species of birdsAnd also nesting Hawksbill & Green sea turtlesFire CoralMillepora sp.

Millepora alcicornis (LC)

Cauliflower CoralsPocillopora sp.

Pocillopora damicornis (LC)Pocillopora inflata (VU)P. meandrinaPocillopora verrucosa (LC)

MontiporaMontipora capitata (NT) rice coralMontipora capricornis cap coralMontipora digitata finger coralMontipora aequituberculataMontipora dilatataMontipora foliosa

AcroporaAcropora hyacinthus (NT)Acropora aspera (VU)Acropora cervicornis (CR)Acropora cytherea (LC)Acropora grandisAcropora loripes (NT)Acropora millepora (NT)Acropora nasuta (NT)Acropora paliferaAcropora palmata (CR)Acropora proliferaAcropora pulchra (LC)Acropora secale

PoritesPorites astreoidesPorites compressa (LC)Porites furcataPorites lobata (NT)Porites nodiferaPorites porites

PlatygyraPlatygyra lamellinaPlatygyra daedalea

Honeycomb CoralDiploastrea heliopora (NT)

LeptoserisLeptoseris hawaiiensisLeptoseris gardineri

PachyserisPachyseris speciosaPachyseris rugosa

Green Sea TurtleChelonia mydas

endangered

Hawksbill Sea TurtleEretmochelys imbricata

Critically endangered

Reef Manta RayManta alfredi

Vulnerable

Devil RayMobula mobular or Mobular diabolus

Endangered

Sting RayHimantura sp.

LionfishPterios sp.

ClownfishAmphiprion sp.

Giant TrevallyCaranx ignobilis

Hammerhead SharkSphyrna lewini scalloped hammerhead

endangered

Whitetip Reef SharkTriaenodon obesus

Near threatened

Blacktip Reef SharkCarcharhinus melanopterus

Near threatened

Whale SharkRhincodon typus

Vulnerable

Tiger SharkGaleocerdo cuvier

Near threatened

BarracudaSphyraena sp.

Moorish IdolZanclus cornutus

Humphead WrasseCheilinus undulatusMameng

Endangered

ParrotfishScarcus sp.

Moray EelGymnothorax sp.

Sweet Lips FishPlectorhinchus sp.

Crown-of-thorns StarfishAcanthaster planciCoral-eating starfish

Bear Paw ClamHippopus hippopus

Conservation Dependent

Scaly ClamTridacna squamosa

Conservation Dependent

Giant ClamTridacna gigas

Vulnerable

Boring ClamTridacna crocea

Least Concern

Christmas Island FrigatebirdFregata andrewsi

Critically endangered

REFERENCEShttp://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_caused_the_detoriation_of_the_Tubbataha_Reef?#slide=3

http://tubbatahareef.org/wp/Threats_to_Tubbataha

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