PCSD
Palawan Council for
Sustainable Development

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STATUS OF REEF AND REEF FISHES IN PALAWAN

COASTAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT

  • Generate information on the general condition of Palawan's Coastal resources
  • Data generated could serve as inputs to coastal resource management planning, ECAN zoning and environmental monitoring.
  • Under ECAN zoning, indentify potential core zones which may include habitat of rare and endangered marine species, fish sanctuaries ( declaring certain areas as fish sanctuaries to enhance sustainable fisheries).

COASTAL RESOURCES COVERED BY THE ASSESSMENT AND METHODS

  • Mangoves - Transect Line Plot Method/ Satellite Images
  • Seagrass/Seaweeds - Transect Quadrat Technique
  • Corals - Line Intercept Technique/Manta Tow
  • Reef Fishes - Fish Visual Census

IMPORTANCE OF CORAL REEFS

  • Food source
  • Fish habitat
  • Breeding and nursery grounds
  • Wave breakers to protect inland shores
  • Potential source of medicine

PALAWAN REEF AREA

9,800 km2 or 36.30% of the total Philippine Reef Area excluding Tubbataha and Kalayaan Reefs

RESULTS OF REEF ASSESSMENT

  • 8 out of 237 sites or 3.38% covering 17 municipalities are in Excellent condition
  • 73 are in GOOD condition
  • 115 are in FAIR condition
  • 41 are in POOR condition

Reef Condition

Palawan

Philippines *

Excellent

3.38%

5%

Good

30.80%

25%

Fair )
Poor )

65.82%

70%

* University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI) 1994

Live Coral Cover

  • 75 - 100 Percent - Excellent
  • 50 - 74.9 Percent - Good
  • 25 - 49.9 Percent - Fair
  • 25   Percent - Poor

CORAL REEF ASSESSMENT

Pie Chart of Reef Condition by Category

Coral Reef Status Distribution by Category, Palawan

Coral Reef Status Distribution by Category, Palawan

REEF FISH DENSITY VIS-A-VIS REEF CONDITION BY MUNICIPALITY, PALAWAN

Reef Fish Density Table

     Municipalities which showed signs of overfishing (fair or good coral condition but relatively low fish density for target fishes) include Quezon, San Vicente, Magsaysay and Narra.

Groupers are generally higher in density ( that is number of individual per hectares) in SAN VICENTE, DUMARAN, BUSUANGA, BROOKE'S POINT, MAGSAYSAY and ARACELI ( however, for the Calamianes WWF study showed that the fish being caught and traded in the livefish industry are young and sexually immature to maturing individuals).

RESULTS OF SEAGRASS ASSESSMENT

Pie Chart Condition of Seagrass

Seagrass Status Distribution by Category, Palawan

Table of Seagrass Status Distribution

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The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development is a national agency under
the Office of the President of the Philippines

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