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Philippines designates new MPA to protect marine life and support local communities

Responsible Seafood Advocate

Philippines’ new MPA aims to conserve marine life, protect sharks and rays

MPA
The Philippines has officially designated the Bitaug Marine Protected Area (MPA), covering 149.46 hectares (about 370 acres) of coastal waters – currently the largest in the Siquijor. Photo credit: Steve De Neef

The Philippines has officially established the Bitaug Marine Protected Area (MPA), covering 149.46 hectares (about 370 acres) of coastal waters.

The MPA – currently the largest in Siquijor – is home to coral reefs, seagrass meadows, commercially significant fish species and populations of sea turtles and sharks.

The designation follows nearly 18 years of community planning and coordination among local stakeholders, government agencies and non-governmental organizations. Regulations include a prohibition on catching sharks and rays except for research purposes, making Bitaug part of a growing roster of MPAs around the world with targeted protections for these vulnerable species.

“This momentous event is not just the launching or inauguration of a protected site; it is a powerful step forward in our collective journey toward environmental sustainability, coastal resilience, and community empowerment,” said Ms. Peachy Baquilta, assistant extension director of Siquijor State College.

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The Bitaug Fisherfolk Association (BitFA), which spent years advocating for the MPA’s creation, will share management responsibilities with the local government, including enforcement, daily operations and public outreach. Support will come from Siquijor State College, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Philippines.

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“We are willing to be of service to this MPA,” said Othello Manos, president of BitFA. “Hopefully, in time, we will truly take charge of managing and caring for our MPA. This is the beginning of what we’ve been dreaming of for almost eighteen years.”

The Bitaug MPA will operate under a management framework that includes revenue sharing from eco-tourism activities, such as snorkeling and diving, with proceeds directed toward local conservation and community development. As the largest marine protected area in Siquijor, it’s intended to strengthen both ocean health and community resilience.

“Our coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves are interconnected,” said Kristine Kate Lim, country director for WCS Philippines. “They must be protected together if we truly want to secure our environment and our future. This initiative is a powerful step in that direction.”

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