Sustainable development program Danao Bay

Danao bay is located on the southern shores of the Bohol Sea, in the province of Misamis Occidental, Northern Mindanao, southern Philippines. The bay encompasses an area of 2279 hectares of shallow inter-tidal zone, composed of 218 hectares of mangroves, 920 ha of sandy and muddy reef flats with sea grass beds and 587 ha of mostly abandoned fishponds. The coral shelf is heavily overfished and damaged, but still large parts of it are alive. Destruction of the coastal resources started in the 1960s, when mangroves were debarked by people from Bohol for making dye and the debarked mangroves were cut and processed into charcoal. The vacant areas were largely turned into fishponds and in 1980 , only 218 hectares of mangroves remained. In between 1993 and 2004 around 500 ha of abandoned fishponds were successfully replanted with mangroves (Rhizopora sp.). The bay is bordered by six coastal villages (barangays). The economic situation of local fishing communities is very poor. The decreasing income from fisheries is largely a result of unsustainable and destructive fishing practices, as well as an increased fishing population. Although most stakeholders agree that a sustainable management of the coastal resources is a precondition for sustained livelihoods and enhanced diversity of the coastal ecosystem can increase the productive capacity, much effort is still needed to generate commitment from other stakeholders. The fisherfolk communities currently have several additional income sources additional to fishing. These are however, besides agriculture/small livestock mostly in terms of services like small stores, selling fish and shells and providing credit to others. Although there are several fisheries and environmental laws that apply to the area, enforcement is very weak. There is a 74 hectares sanctuary established in 1991 through a municipal ordinance which in 2003 expanded to a 295 hectares integrated protected landscape and seascape (IPLS) under the NIPAS act to include also the mangrove area along Sinian River. DB-REMO as a member represents the fisher folk in the Protected Area Management Board (PAMP), a multi-stakeholder body responsible for management of the (IPLS) and chaired by DENR (Dep. of Env. and Nat. Resources). As DENR and other government agencies are hardly seen in the area, on municipal ordinance, DB-REMO largely operates as implementing agency for the coastal resources program and in practice manages the IPLS and two sanctuaries. The fisherfolks community through DB-REMO plays a vital role in coastal resources management, but serious law enforcement such as bay wide patrolling by fish wardens is necessary in order to prevent some fishers from illegal activities. From 1996 to 2004 a community-based coastal resources management project has been implemented in the bay (funded by Oxfam) and since 2002 (when Pipuli Foundation who initiated the project phased out) DB-REMO has been implementing this project. Much has been achieved already regarding minimising destructive fisheries, management of sanctuaries and mangrove reforestation. Still, more effort is needed to strengthen concrete participation in resource management and income generating activities would be needed to supplement income of the fishers while rehabilitating the bay. Overall project goal is an enhanced diversity of the coastal ecosystem and improved quality of life for the fisherfolks. Specific objectives are: * To strengthen capacity and capability of DB-REMO to effectively manage projects; * To improve MPA demarcation; * To minimize illegal fisheries; * To promote coordination with other stakeholders; * To generate additional sources of income for members that are doing resource management activities; * To continue information and education campaigns.

The core areas of Balinao Wetland Park (BWP) boundary were partly re-demarcated and the guardhouse was repaired. The two other sanctuaries were (re)demarcated and a guardhouse constructed. Patrols and surveillance operation to monitor fishing activities were conducted. Police conducted surprise enforcement several times and confiscated illegal fishing gear. Use of illegal/destructive nets has decreased. After an armed poaching incident at BWP however, a decision was made to operate only at daytime (soft approach) to identify fishermen using illegal gear for the filing complaint and report these to concerned authorities. Resource assessments showed improved quality of the natural habitat and increased fish resources. A resource map was made indicating permanent sampling stations. Lobbying with the Local Government Unit (LGU), DA/BFAR and DENR key officials resulted in the agreement to have a co-management approach in managing the bay’s resources. Two days celebration of Danao Bay festival was attended by different the stakeholders. A feasibility study on agar-agar and salt production was made. The DB-REMO Management Board and committees met regularly. Special meetings and tactic sessions were held in preparation to meetings with other stakeholders and to discuss win-win options and how to deal with problems that occurred. Members benefit concerns were also raised. A project assessment was made, strengths and weaknesses were identified and possible options to overcome these in the coming operation were discussed. A project concept for general long term plan was prepared and submitted to two donor agencies.