How many of you have gone to Palawan? Well, I did. I was
most amazed with the beauty of the corals and the various fish species that I
was able to witness with my very own eyes. Snorkeling in Palawan was one of my
most memorable encounters with nature and I’m lucky enough to have been able to
experience it while it’s there.
In 2006, I had my first diving experience in the Island City Garden of Samal. It was an intro dive, and we were allowed to go only down to 20 feet. My diving experience was memorable in both good and bad ways. Good, because it was of course, my first time to dive, and I can attest that there’s a whole new different but beautiful world under the sea, and bad because during our diving course, I could not help but notice some damaged corals and the occasional trash lying on the sea bed.
I was fortunate to have been invited during a symposium organized by Junior Chamber International, Inc. (JCI) Manila, in partnership with JCI Davao and JCI Davaoena Daba Daba, and also participated by JCI Igacos, aptly called Sea of Life. Two guest speakers, Mr. Chris Dearne, and Hon. Miguel Zubiri, were invited to talk during the event.
The domes are attracting fish, and 90% of these domes are now totally covered with corals, fish, and other sea creatures. Of course, some domes have suffered casualties; some have been wrecked by passing ships, while some have been turned over by curious free divers and fishermen. There are also instances where fishing nets are tangled around the corals. But with the proper information drive, fishermen are now learning to fish around the domes, and not inside them.
Hon. Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, a seasoned law maker who served both Houses of the Congress, and one of the advocates of Pilipinas Eco Warriors, has also shared his experience about the importance of preserving marine life and our natural resources. Migz has thoroughly discussed how overfishing has had adverse effects on the coastal areas and how maintaining an ecologically balanced marine ecosystem is an issue of national security. Our marine resource accounts a large percentage of the Philippines’ food and protein source.
Migz has also stressed the importance of preserving our corals. In his experience as a law maker, he was hands on in prosecuting law violators who would smuggle dried corals and live sea creatures which are deemed contraband. At one time, two container vans were seized, one was full of black corals, which is known to grow only one millimeter a year, and the other container van has a number of live sea turtles. It was very sad knowing that some of these illegal smugglers were once fishermen, and due to the scarcity of fish and other sea food products, fishermen were compelled to look for other sources of income which have been proven to be more detrimental to our marine ecosystem.
To top the event, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed by JCI Davaoena Dabadaba President Divine Magtoto and Hon. Migz Zubiri and two artificial domes were unveiled. A day after this symposium, artificial domes will be deployed at the rehabilitation zone of Camudmud, Babak, Island Garden City of Samal, in the hope that these artificial domes will benefit and bring the vigor the Davao Gulf’s marine ecosystem.
In 2006, I had my first diving experience in the Island City Garden of Samal. It was an intro dive, and we were allowed to go only down to 20 feet. My diving experience was memorable in both good and bad ways. Good, because it was of course, my first time to dive, and I can attest that there’s a whole new different but beautiful world under the sea, and bad because during our diving course, I could not help but notice some damaged corals and the occasional trash lying on the sea bed.
I was fortunate to have been invited during a symposium organized by Junior Chamber International, Inc. (JCI) Manila, in partnership with JCI Davao and JCI Davaoena Daba Daba, and also participated by JCI Igacos, aptly called Sea of Life. Two guest speakers, Mr. Chris Dearne, and Hon. Miguel Zubiri, were invited to talk during the event.
Have you ever heard of artificial reefs? Mr. Chris Dearne shared his experience on how he deployed 5,000 artificial “dome” reefs in the seas of General Santos City. Chris was inspired to make these domes during one of his diving trips when he noticed that some hollow blocks and cement which fell on the sea has actually been inhabited by corals and other sea organisms. He started a project to make domes made from everyday building materials, everything, like cement and sand, were locally sourced. Chris estimated the cost of each dome at P200 and employing 2 senior citizens who can make 6 domes per day, Chris was able to deploy 5,000 domes General Santos City in 40 months.
The domes are attracting fish, and 90% of these domes are now totally covered with corals, fish, and other sea creatures. Of course, some domes have suffered casualties; some have been wrecked by passing ships, while some have been turned over by curious free divers and fishermen. There are also instances where fishing nets are tangled around the corals. But with the proper information drive, fishermen are now learning to fish around the domes, and not inside them.
Hon. Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, a seasoned law maker who served both Houses of the Congress, and one of the advocates of Pilipinas Eco Warriors, has also shared his experience about the importance of preserving marine life and our natural resources. Migz has thoroughly discussed how overfishing has had adverse effects on the coastal areas and how maintaining an ecologically balanced marine ecosystem is an issue of national security. Our marine resource accounts a large percentage of the Philippines’ food and protein source.
Migz has also stressed the importance of preserving our corals. In his experience as a law maker, he was hands on in prosecuting law violators who would smuggle dried corals and live sea creatures which are deemed contraband. At one time, two container vans were seized, one was full of black corals, which is known to grow only one millimeter a year, and the other container van has a number of live sea turtles. It was very sad knowing that some of these illegal smugglers were once fishermen, and due to the scarcity of fish and other sea food products, fishermen were compelled to look for other sources of income which have been proven to be more detrimental to our marine ecosystem.
To top the event, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed by JCI Davaoena Dabadaba President Divine Magtoto and Hon. Migz Zubiri and two artificial domes were unveiled. A day after this symposium, artificial domes will be deployed at the rehabilitation zone of Camudmud, Babak, Island Garden City of Samal, in the hope that these artificial domes will benefit and bring the vigor the Davao Gulf’s marine ecosystem.
 |
 |
| Unveiling of the domes. |
 |
| With Mr. Chris Dearne and wife Ellie |
This event was sponsored by Phoenix Petroleum, Megabuild 101, Zeetex, St. Peter Chapels, AGP Trading Incorporated, Toby's, Honda, Wrangler, Metrobank, Hotel Vicente, One Tagaytay Place, The Executive Facial Care, and many more.
very good advocacy... to help preserve our marine life, these domes helps a lot... more power to the team, hope they continue. Yahweh bless.
ReplyDelete