Post by admin on Dec 27, 2014 4:16:19 GMT 8
Proposed Boracay marine protected area to be studied
Tara Yap
December 9, 2014
Boracay Island, Aklan — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-6) will look into a proposal by an environmental group to declare a portion of global tourist destination Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan as a marine protected area.
DENR-6 Regional Director Jim Samulna said, he has not yet heard of the proposal of the Sangkalikasan Producers’ Cooperative, but that the agency will study it.
The Sangkalikasan has earlier pushed for the declaration of Boracay’s famed White Beach as a marine protected area.
“We have noted that a huge area of marine corals along the front (White) beach are threatened and may face extinction. We can only save the corals at the front (White) beach if it is declared a protected area,” said Sangkalikasan Vice Chairperson Jose Rodriguez
Sampulna said that it may not be possible to totally declare the entire stretch of White Beach as a marine protected area but “maybe off the coast of other portions of the island.”
The regional DENR chief explained that declaring a certain site as a marine protected area is mainly to ensure the survival of fish and marine species in the area.
Boracay’s White Beach is where many tourists take a swim and Sampulna said that “it is unlikely that fishess come near humans.
Environmental groups, including Sangkalikasan, have long wanted to see the implementation of comprehensive intervention programs to preserve what remains of the natural richness of Boracay for future generations of tourists. (With a report from Jun Aguirre)
Source: www.mb.com.ph/proposed-boracay-marine-protected-area-to-be-studied/
Tara Yap
December 9, 2014
Boracay Island, Aklan — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-6) will look into a proposal by an environmental group to declare a portion of global tourist destination Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan as a marine protected area.
DENR-6 Regional Director Jim Samulna said, he has not yet heard of the proposal of the Sangkalikasan Producers’ Cooperative, but that the agency will study it.
The Sangkalikasan has earlier pushed for the declaration of Boracay’s famed White Beach as a marine protected area.
“We have noted that a huge area of marine corals along the front (White) beach are threatened and may face extinction. We can only save the corals at the front (White) beach if it is declared a protected area,” said Sangkalikasan Vice Chairperson Jose Rodriguez
Sampulna said that it may not be possible to totally declare the entire stretch of White Beach as a marine protected area but “maybe off the coast of other portions of the island.”
The regional DENR chief explained that declaring a certain site as a marine protected area is mainly to ensure the survival of fish and marine species in the area.
Boracay’s White Beach is where many tourists take a swim and Sampulna said that “it is unlikely that fishess come near humans.
Environmental groups, including Sangkalikasan, have long wanted to see the implementation of comprehensive intervention programs to preserve what remains of the natural richness of Boracay for future generations of tourists. (With a report from Jun Aguirre)
Source: www.mb.com.ph/proposed-boracay-marine-protected-area-to-be-studied/