Philippines: Fish abundance noted in MPA

Chito A. Chavez, Manila Bulletin, 5 Oct 13;

A study made within the Marine Protected Area (MPA) off Verde Island in Batangas has shown that corals and fish species within the location are increasing compared with an area nearby outside the MPA.

The study conducted by Josefina N. Manuel-Ocampo at the University of the Philippines at Los Banos was supported by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) in Los Banos, Laguna.

Ocampo’s findings had reinforced the contention of marine biologists that MPAs could nurture an increased number of food fish species if left alone.

It also showed that the fish population in the Pulong Bato MPA would have a bigger biomass and would have more species compared to the San Agapito fishing ground opposite the area.

Searca Director Dr. Gil Saguiguit Jr. described the study as important to the government’s campaign to establish more MPAs nationwide since it shows that these areas are contributing positively to the increase of fish supply.

He noted the contribution of MPAs would be significant to food security and sustainable fisheries since they nurture the rapid increase of the fish population.

Verde Island is situated at the center of the world’s marine shore fish diversity and is the habitat of major species of reef fish.

In her study, “Comparative Study of Coral and Fish Communities Inside and Outside a Marine Protected Area in Verde Island, Batangas, Philippines,” conducted in 2009, complete with underground photographic and video documentation, Ocampo noted that “live corals (hard and soft) in Pulong Bato were found to be in good condition (55.54 percent) while those in San Agapito were in fair condition (43.27 percent).

Results showed that the percentage cover of soft coral was significantly higher inside the MPA than outside the MPA.”

One finding of the Ocampo study was the spectacular expansion of the number of fish species taking refuge in the MPA and the rise in the volume of the fish within the protected area.

“The MPA must keep its value as it is a vital spawning ground. Any disturbance of these habitats will result in decreased fishery production and degradation of the general health of the coastal zone,’’ Ocampo said.

“Similarly, fish abundance and fish biomass were five times and eight times higher, respectively, inside the MPA than outside the MPA. These indicate that the establishment of the MPA contributed significantly to the protection of reef fish,” Ocampo said.