The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in coordination with the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape- Protected Area Management Bureau (TSPS- PAMB) hosted the Research Forum- All About Tañon Strait at St. Mark Hotel, Camputhaw, Cebu City.
Of primary importance to the event is the sharing of research products, on-going studies and pipeline research relating to Tañon Strait.
Increasing human activity at Tañon Strait has affected the behavior of dolphins, among other creatures.
Atty. Gloria Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines, gave a presentation on the role of civil society and on harnessing research for the better management of Tañon Strait. She pointed out that the poverty incidence is severe in the area especially since the average income for traditional fisherfolk is at P3,000 at P3,500. On a better note, progress has been made in terms of law enforcement, science-based decision-making, and advocacy implementation among locals.
As the biggest marine protected area in the Philippines, Tañon Strait is home to 14 species of dolphins and whales, chambered nautilus, giant squid and the critically endangered dugong. For this reason, members of civil society, research organizations and government agencies were brought together to discuss concerns and create solutions.
A technical working group composed of representatives from the University of the Philippines, Oceana Philippines, the University of San Carlos, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Silliman University, Bohol Island State University, RARE, DENR and Cebu Technological University was created at the end of the forum.
