Current Condition of the Coral Reefs in the Philippines

Philippine coral reef conservation resonates with urgency, as these underwater

havens face profound threats from human activity, climate change, and habitat
degradation. Recent assessments reveal a stark reality: one-third of the hard coral
cover in 206 fringing reefs has vanished, signaling a crisis that demands immediate
attention. While marine protected areas (MPAs) are crucial, they alone cannot shield
these reefs from the ravages of climate change. A comprehensive approach, blending
vigilant monitoring, governmental action, updated regulations, and collaboration
between the public and private sectors, is imperative.

One noteworthy initiative is the Philippines Program, spearheaded by Blue

Finance in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and
local governments. This program focuses on enhancing the management and financial
sustainability of high-biodiversity Marine Protected Area networks, including those in the
Verde Island Passage, Calamian Islands, and Tañon Strait. Additionally, a review of
existing laws and regulations is essential to ensure they align with current conservation
needs, thereby strengthening legal frameworks for reef protection.

Furthermore, identifying resilient reefs and mapping them is crucial. These well-
developed reefs, which have withstood environmental challenges over millennia, can
serve as Noah's Ark reefs for the future. In conclusion, our term paper illuminates the
critical state of Philippine coral reefs, emphasizing the imperative for immediate action.
Through understanding the challenges and fostering collaborative efforts, we can chart
a course toward effective conservation strategies that preserve these underwater
treasures for generations to come.

A nationwide assessment revealed that a third of the corals on these reefs had
died, and none of the 206 stations surveyed were considered "good." (AM Licuanan et
al. 2017; WY Licuanan et al. 2019). As a result, management and conservation efforts
have been limited to a ban on the collection and export of reef-building coral, which is
currently being reconsidered, and the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
 The Philippines has established Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to enhance
fisheries, but most are too small to protect reef fish stocks (median diameter of 387 m in
Philippine MPAs vs. 2 km worldwide; Krueck et al. 2018). These MPAs face significant
social, economic, and political barriers from local governments (Muallil et al. 2019). As a
result, recent efforts include MPA networks, protected seascapes, fisheries
management areas, and a focus on ecosystem-based fisheries strategies, as most
MPAs are too small to provide significant protection (WY Licuanan et al. 2019b).

MPAs, even when embedded in networks, should be larger for conservation

benefits and control rates of fishery exploitation in adjacent areas (Gaines et al. 2010;
Muallil et al. 2019). The loss of 30% of coral cover on the Great Barrier Reef in 2016
shows that management of the area is not protecting against climate change and mass
bleaching events (Hughes et al. 2018; Darling et al. 2013). MPAs are critical for
reducing overfishing and accelerating the recovery and reintegration of coral
communities, as well as the fish and invertebrates that depend on them (Bruno et al.
2019).

According to Pata and Yñiguez (2021), Many of these MPAs were established
based on local-scale conservation and fisheries objectives without considering larger-
scale ecological connections. The connectivity of reefs through larval dispersal is
important in the regional-scale resilience against anthropogenic disturbances and is
considered a significant criterion in planning for MPAs.
 Connectivity network for branching coral. Only the top 50% of connections are
shown, darker lines are stronger connections. Circles represent the centroids of the 252
reef nodes within the Philippine EEZ. Red circles are nodes that are part of the largest
strongly connected component (SCC) when the weakest 50% of connections are
removed. Purple circles are nodes that are unidirectionally connected to the main SCC.

MPA data was obtained from the MPA Support Network database (Cabral et al.,
2014) in March 2017. Only MPAs with known geographic locations were included in the
analysis. We also excluded MPAs around the Tañon Strait in the central Philippines
because this area was not resolved in the connectivity model (Pata and Yñiguez, 2019).
This resulted in 1,060 MPAs out of the 1,893 MPAs recorded in the database.

The interconnectedness of all reef nodes suggests that there is a single

Philippine coral reef network that is regionally linked through the multi-generational
dispersal of larvae. In contrast, a network analysis of corals in the Tropical Pacific
identified several SCCs, isolated islands, and much longer connection paths. The
Tropical Pacific covers a wider area with reefs distributed in distant islands compared to
the Philippine reefs. This points to distance as a determinant of interconnectedness. In
comparison to the regional-scale network of Caribbean reefs (Holstein et al., 2014), the
Philippine network similarly has an SCC of 1 but has a longer mean shortest path and
diameter. This suggests that it takes longer to traverse the Philippine network despite it
covering a smaller area than the Caribbean network. Thus, in addition to distance, the
complexity of the geomorphology also contributes to interconnectedness given that the
Philippine network is composed of multiple embayments and basins that are connected
through narrow straits (Pata and Yñiguez, 2019).
 According to the DENR, major causes of coral reef destruction include
destructive fishing, overfishing, sedimentation, ill-planned coastal development, and
rapid population growth. Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the
world, housing tens of thousands of marine species. Reefs buffer shorelines from waves
and storms that cause flooding and erosion, support commercial and subsistence
fisheries, and are home to a thriving recreation and tourism industry.

Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world and millions of
people depend on them for food and protection. To conserve the coral reefs in the
Philippines, it requires a collaborative effort between the government, community, and
individuals. This can be in the way of encouraging people to use sustainable fishing
methods to prevent overfishing and reduce damage to coral reefs, participating in any
activities or projects related to the conservation and restoration of coral reefs, raising
awareness among others of the importance of coral reefs and the need for
conservation, and most importantly, increasing and strengthening Marine Protected
Areas (MPAs) to prevent overfishing, protect habitats, and recover damaged coral reefs.
Conserving coral reefs will not only benefit wildlife but also strengthen climate resilience
and access to nature.

The status of coral reefs in the Philippines remains a critical issue as these
fragile and diverse ecosystems continue to face numerous threats. Despite efforts to
protect and conserve them, the Philippines' coral reefs have been severely damaged by
human activities such as overfishing, destructive fishing practices, pollution, and coastal
development. The effects of climate change, such as rising sea temperatures and
ocean acidification, have also taken a toll on the health of coral reefs.

In conclusion, the status of coral reefs in the Philippines is a cause for concern,
but there is still hope for their recovery. With continued efforts to address the threats
they face, along with increased awareness and collaboration, it is possible to improve
the health of coral reefs in the Philippines. It is essential to act now before it's too late to
preserve these vital ecosystems for future generations.

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