![Picture](/uploads/8/9/6/7/89677435/published/reef-fish.jpg?1483554732)
Nearly all coral reefs in the Philippines are under severe threat from economic development and climate change. There are 1000 marine protection ares, but only about 20% are active. Marine protected areas are carefully selected areas where human development and exploitation of natural sources are reguated to protect species and habitats.
In the Philippines, coral reefs are important economic assets, contributing more that 1 billion US dollars annually to the economy.
A single coral reef can support as many as 3000 species of marine life. As fishing grounds, they are 10 to 100 times as productive per unit as the open ocean. In the Philippines, 10-15% of the total fisheries come from coral reefs.
(Picture from https://www-tc.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/next/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/reef-fish.jpg)
Not only are coral reefs home to hundreds of animals, they also supply compunds for medicines. The Aids drug AZT is based on chemicals extracted from a reef sponge, and more that half of all new cancer research focuses on marine organisms.
In the Philippines, coral reefs are important economic assets, contributing more that 1 billion US dollars annually to the economy.
A single coral reef can support as many as 3000 species of marine life. As fishing grounds, they are 10 to 100 times as productive per unit as the open ocean. In the Philippines, 10-15% of the total fisheries come from coral reefs.
(Picture from https://www-tc.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/next/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/reef-fish.jpg)
Not only are coral reefs home to hundreds of animals, they also supply compunds for medicines. The Aids drug AZT is based on chemicals extracted from a reef sponge, and more that half of all new cancer research focuses on marine organisms.
![Picture](/uploads/8/9/6/7/89677435/published/555323439.jpg?1483554924)
Unfortunately, coral reefs are now at serious risk from degradation. According to scientists, 70% of the world's coral reefs could be gone by 2050. In the Philippines, coral reefs have beeen slowly dying over the last 30 years.
(Picture from http://media.gettyimages.com/videos/mostly-dead-coral-reef-french-polynesia-video-id555323439?s=640x640)
The World Atlas of Coral Reefs, compiled by the United Nations Environment Program, reported that 97% of coral reefs in the Philippines are under threat from destructive fishing techniques, including cyanide posioning, over fishing, or from deforestation and urbanization that result in harmful sediment spilling into the sea.
Reef Check, an international organiazation assessing the health of reefs in 82 countries, stated that only 5% of reefs in the Philippines are in "excellent condition", one of these being Apo Reef.
Rapid population growth and increasing human pressure on coastal resources have also resulted in the degradation of coral reefs. Humans have a lot to do with the rapid destruction of coral reefs. "In areas where where people are using the reefs, or where there is a large population, there is a significant declines in coral reefs", a specialist on coral reefs said.
(Picture from http://media.gettyimages.com/videos/mostly-dead-coral-reef-french-polynesia-video-id555323439?s=640x640)
The World Atlas of Coral Reefs, compiled by the United Nations Environment Program, reported that 97% of coral reefs in the Philippines are under threat from destructive fishing techniques, including cyanide posioning, over fishing, or from deforestation and urbanization that result in harmful sediment spilling into the sea.
Reef Check, an international organiazation assessing the health of reefs in 82 countries, stated that only 5% of reefs in the Philippines are in "excellent condition", one of these being Apo Reef.
Rapid population growth and increasing human pressure on coastal resources have also resulted in the degradation of coral reefs. Humans have a lot to do with the rapid destruction of coral reefs. "In areas where where people are using the reefs, or where there is a large population, there is a significant declines in coral reefs", a specialist on coral reefs said.
![Picture](/uploads/8/9/6/7/89677435/published/dsc-1983.jpg?1483555157)
Fortunatly. there is a natural park dedicated to the Apo Reef and protecting it. The Apo Reef Natural Park is a protected area consisting of the three atolls and the reef surrounding them. It covers a total of 27469 hectareas.
(Picture from https://brahmineyes.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/dsc_1983.jpg)
Prior to its declaration at a Protected Area under the category of Natural Park, Apo Reef had been designated as a Marine Park through Presidental Proclomation no. 1801 in 1980, allowing the Philippine Tourism Authority to undertake the development and managment of the area. It was also declared a tourist zone and Marine Reserve by virtue of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro Sangguaniang Bayan Resolution no. 1108 in 1983.
The Apo Reef Natural Park is divided into three zones: The Strictly Protected Zone that includes the coral sanctuary and the entire Apo Island. These portions are strictly protected against all form of destruction, mainly dynamite fishing. The Managed Reserve Zone which comprises of bird sanctuaries and turtle nesting grounds. Controlled huan activies are permitted in this zone. The Multiple-Use Zone that includes the recreation area-dive sites for watching fish and reefs, photography, education and guided tours- the anchorage area and the fishing area.
The Apo Reef is one of the world's grandest treasures and the protected zones remind people the importance of protecting natural treasures from further destruction.
(Picture from https://brahmineyes.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/dsc_1983.jpg)
Prior to its declaration at a Protected Area under the category of Natural Park, Apo Reef had been designated as a Marine Park through Presidental Proclomation no. 1801 in 1980, allowing the Philippine Tourism Authority to undertake the development and managment of the area. It was also declared a tourist zone and Marine Reserve by virtue of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro Sangguaniang Bayan Resolution no. 1108 in 1983.
The Apo Reef Natural Park is divided into three zones: The Strictly Protected Zone that includes the coral sanctuary and the entire Apo Island. These portions are strictly protected against all form of destruction, mainly dynamite fishing. The Managed Reserve Zone which comprises of bird sanctuaries and turtle nesting grounds. Controlled huan activies are permitted in this zone. The Multiple-Use Zone that includes the recreation area-dive sites for watching fish and reefs, photography, education and guided tours- the anchorage area and the fishing area.
The Apo Reef is one of the world's grandest treasures and the protected zones remind people the importance of protecting natural treasures from further destruction.