(A press release from DENR-AIPLS)
Aileen Maypa
In an effort to manage sustainably the growing tourism of Apo Island and the increasing pressure on its surrounding coral reefs, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Apo Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (DENR-AIPLS) Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB) passed Resolution 02-20019, “A resolution adopting the results of the carrying capacity study on Apo Island Protected Landscape and Seascape to provide snorkeling and scuba diving policies that can contribute to sustainable and safe coral reef management and use.” After many revisions and three public consultations with the stakeholders, this resolution was approved during a DENR-AIPLS regular PAMB meeting on March 11, 2019. The major objectives of this policy include: (1) limiting the number of scuba divers and snorkelers in each dive site or snorkeling per day and the number of users at a time in the water to prevent or minimize coral damage and negative impacts on associated reef fishes and other marine organisms, at the same time, give more time for coral reef recovery in areas damaged by typhoons in the previous years; (2) to practice safe and sustainable diving and snorkeling and; (3) to put in place a better and organized diving and snorkeling system, and install necessary safety measures for visitors. A ticketing system and a booking system that will match the carrying capacity limits were also specified in this resolution. The carrying capacity measures adopted in this policy were results of the Silliman University – Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences Carrying Capacity Study led by Dr. Hilconida Calumpong, while this resolution was authored by Dr. Aileen Maypa of the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation, supported by the UNICO Conservation Foundation. Further, for prohibited acts, fines and penalties, this resolution adopts RA 9147 (Philippine Wildlife Act) and RA 7586 (NIPAS Act) where applicable and, Ordinance No. 08-01, Article 9 of Dauin Municipality for improper waste disposal.DENR-AIPLS Resolution 02-2018 will be formally implemented by January 2020 to give time to the management, the stakeholders and tourists to prepare and adjust to the new policies and changes.n an effort to manage sustainably the growing tourism of Apo Island and the increasing pressure on its surrounding coral reefs, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Apo Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (DENR-AIPLS) Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB) passed Resolution 02-20019, “A resolution adopting the results of the carrying capacity study on Apo Island Protected Landscape and Seascape to provide snorkeling and scuba diving policies that can contribute to sustainable and safe coral reef management and use.” After many revisions and three public consultations with the stakeholders, this resolution was approved during a DENR-AIPLS regular PAMB meeting on March 11, 2019. The major objectives of this policy include: (1) limiting the number of scuba divers and snorkelers in each dive site or snorkeling per day and the number of users at a time in the water to prevent or minimize coral damage and negative impacts on associated reef fishes and other marine organisms, at the same time, give more time for coral reef recovery in areas damaged by typhoons in the previous years; (2) to practice safe and sustainable diving and snorkeling and; (3) to put in place a better and organized diving and snorkeling system, and install necessary safety measures for visitors. A ticketing system and a booking system that will match the carrying capacity limits were also specified in this resolution. The carrying capacity measures adopted in this policy were results of the Silliman University – Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences Carrying Capacity Study led by Dr. Hilconida Calumpong, while this resolution was authored by Dr. Aileen Maypa of the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation, supported by the UNICO Conservation Foundation. Further, for prohibited acts, fines and penalties, this resolution adopts RA 9147 (Philippine Wildlife Act) and RA 7586 (NIPAS Act) where applicable and, Ordinance No. 08-01, Article 9 of Dauin Municipality for improper waste disposal.DENR-AIPLS Resolution 02-2018 will be formally implemented by January 2020 to give time to the management, the stakeholders and tourists to prepare and adjust to the new policies and changes.In an effort to manage sustainably the growing tourism of Apo Island and the increasing pressure on its surrounding coral reefs, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Apo Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (DENR-AIPLS) Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB) passed Resolution 02-20019, “A resolution adopting the results of the carrying capacity study on Apo Island Protected Landscape and Seascape to provide snorkeling and scuba diving policies that can contribute to sustainable and safe coral reef management and use.” After many revisions and three public consultations with the stakeholders, this resolution was approved during a DENR-AIPLS regular PAMB meeting on March 11, 2019. The major objectives of this policy include: (1) limiting the number of scuba divers and snorkelers in each dive site or snorkeling per day and the number of users at a time in the water to prevent or minimize coral damage and negative impacts on associated reef fishes and other marine organisms, at the same time, give more time for coral reef recovery in areas damaged by typhoons in the previous years; (2) to practice safe and sustainable diving and snorkeling and; (3) to put in place a better and organized diving and snorkeling system, and install necessary safety measures for visitors. A ticketing system and a booking system that will match the carrying capacity limits were also specified in this resolution. The carrying capacity measures adopted in this policy were results of the Silliman University – Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences Carrying Capacity Study led by Dr. Hilconida Calumpong, while this resolution was authored by Dr. Aileen Maypa of the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation, supported by the UNICO Conservation Foundation. Further, for prohibited acts, fines and penalties, this resolution adopts RA 9147 (Philippine Wildlife Act) and RA 7586 (NIPAS Act) where applicable and, Ordinance No. 08-01, Article 9 of Dauin Municipality for improper waste disposal.DENR-AIPLS Resolution 02-2018 will be formally implemented by January 2020 to give time to the management, the stakeholders and tourists to prepare and adjust to the new policies and changes.
