The Conservation of Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park and World Heritage Site Project, Philippines
Case Study C0203
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| Date | Juillet 2004 |
| Agence | UNDP |
| Agence de distributeur | GEF Packard Foundation WWF |
| Type de projet | Implemented by agency |
| Circonstance | Protected area |
| Couverture géographique | Philippines |
| Localité | Municipality of Cagayancillo Islands |
| Foyer de biodiversité | Marine and coastal ecosystems |
| Foyer de développement | Coastal communities |
| Buts de conservation | Protect the biological diversity of the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park |
| Buts de réduction de pauvreté | Develop environmental-friendly income generating activities |
Résumé
Tubbataha Reef, located at the centre of the Sulu Sea in the Western Pacific, is one of the world's richest and most diverse marine ecosystems. Tubbataha Reef and its rich biodiversity provides significant benefits to the Philippines and has become a high conservation priority for its Government which, in 1988, established the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park (TRNMP) in order to protect this area. However, despite the establishment of the TRNMP, the threat to marine resources in Tubbataha continued. Incidences of illegal fishing and use of destructive fishing methods were reported and continued, despite the ban on fishing and other extractive activities.
The Conservation of Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park and World Heritage Site Project was launched in 2000 by GEF in response to the continued degradation of the marine resources in Tubbataha. The overall objective of the project, designed to run until 2004, was to protect the unique and relatively pristine condition of the globally significant biological diversity of the TRNMP, and to manage the TRNMP and the surrounding area on a sustainable and ecologically sound basis.
The environmental management and conservation efforts in the TRNMP have resulted in a number of changes since the beginning of the project: increased fish stocks, increased revenues from tourism industry, reduction in illegal fishing activities, and improved stakeholders participation.
Impact de conservation
The project resulted in increased fish abundance in the area within and around Tubbataha Reef and in a reduction in the use of destructive fishing methods and activities, although these have not come to an halt yet. Moreover, the establishment of five marine reserves in Barabgays Nusa, Talaga, Balabag, Calusa and Sitio Cavili has resulted in increased fish stocks and improved coral conditions in these areas. Reforestation and tree planting activities are being held in Cagayancillo. Finally, information, education and communication activites have raised awareness on environmental issues, which in turn are generating support for the protection and conservation efforts of Tubbataha.
Impact de réduction de pauvreté
Cagayancillo, the closest human settlement from Tubbataha, has established an agreement with the Department of Tourism to help them develop dive tourism, which once active will serve as an additional income generating venture. Other environmental-friendly income generating activities have been established in Cagayancillo, as the result of local credit and finance facility made available by the project. Seaweed farming has substituted fishing as the main source of livelihoods. Various fisherfolks, seaweed farmers and women's associations were created.
Stratégie pour les interactions entre conservation et pauvreté
Sustainable Use
Provision of alternative livelihoods
Enabling local participation in policy-/decision- making processes
Référence numéro 1
http://www.gefweb.org/MonitoringandEvaluation/MEOngoingEvaluations/MEOLocalBenefits/Local_Benefits_Case_Study_Philippines_Biodiversity.doc
Référence numéro 2
http://gefonline.org/projectDetails.cfm?projID=799
Related records above this one:
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (Organisation O0146)
- Global Environment Facility (GEF) (Organisation O0026)
- WWF International (Organisation O0115)