Bohol Marine Triangle Project (Bmtp)

Bohol Marine Triangle Project (BMTP)

INTRODUCTION

The Bohol Marine Triangle (BMT) covers over 1,210 square kilometers and includes the large island of Panglao and the smaller Islands of Pamilacan and Balicasag. This ecosystem is considered to be ecologically significant and diverse areas in the region owing to the fact that the surrounding deep sea environment provides migratory route for whales and dolphins as well as a habitat for these species and a variety of other marine life including, the rich fisheries resources.

In 1997, Bohol’s coastal resources sector was the lack of effective coastal law enforcement. This has led to a cat-and-mouse game between law enforcers and illegal fishers, with the latter just moving around the province and the law enforcers not quite able to catch up with them. This situation can be attributed to non-coordination of all concerned parties and lack of an integrated approach to resolve coastal law enforcement.

Illegal fishing has had an enormous negative impact on Bohol’s coastal environments. It can be cited as the main reason for the reduction in fish catch, and the destruction of coral reefs, seagrasses and other habitats. The introduction of dynamite during the Second World War marked the beginning of illegal fishing. Since then, new and “more innovative” fishing gears have been introduced, which are just as destructive to the various habitats as the fish stock.

Effects And Impacts Of Illegal Fishing

Destruction of huge areas of coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove forests (illegal cutting).

Loss of income of the 80,000 small-scale fisher folk of Bohol. Loss of coastal habitats, which are the feeding and spawning grounds of fishes, causing

further stress to the ecosystem and making it more susceptible to other external threats (e.g. sedimentation).

Serious health problems experienced by those practicing hookah diving, using dynamite, cyanide, etc. (diving mortalities,...