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(Stella A. Estremera)
(Stella A. Estremera)

MENTION marine conservation in the Philippines and Apo Island off Dauin in Negros Oriental will be high on the list.

Apo Island is not just a standout as a dive and snorkeling destination, it is also a standout for its people and managed access of its resources.

Declared a Protected Landscape and Seascape through Presidential Proclamation No. 438 on August 9, 1994, the whole area covers 691 hectares of which only 72 hectares is land.

As a protected landscape and seascape, the whole community has been harnessed to manage and protect it, and thus is the story of how a whole island of locals are benefitting from the revenues generated by tourism-related activities that have strict rules that every visitor and resident has to follow.

In a visit organized by Rare Philippines, an international conservation organization focused on ocean and fishery sustainability in the Philippines, residents turned dive guides and dive masters explained the various do's and dont's on the island.

Rare regards Apo as a model for managed access, a policy they are replicating in other coastal areas in the country.

First, absolutely no fishing gear allowed as fishing is only for locals and only for sustenance, during low season for tourists. Hand gloves for divers are also not allowed as having such protection encourages many a diver to touch or even break something underwater.

The residents insist that everything is just for one's eyes to appreciate and they are making sure the rules are followed because these rules ensure the survival of the marine resources that sustain their various tourism-related livelihoods.

Divers and snorkelers are allowed inside the Largahan sanctuary only when they have guides. The same at the turtle sanctuary.

“Without guides, snorkelers are allowed outside the turtle area,” said Labordia Omilig, the president of the Apo Women's Association (Awa).

As they deal with tourists most of the year, they are also quite aware of how specific groups comport themselves.

Caucasians, particularly Europeans, rarely cause any destruction nor are inclined to break the rules. The same can't be said of Chinese and Filipinos, as a result, residents are more lenient with Europeans, and it's not their fault.

“Chinese and locals, alam talaga namin na maghawak yan sila ng turtles. Touching-touching,” Omilig said.

Stricter rules are in the offing, once the study on maximum carrying capacity of the island is completed. But they are ready for this. After all, it's been since 1994 when the people have been harnessed to protect their own.

They look forward to the day when not one fisherman fishes at Apo, as they will all be sufficiently provided for by revenues from tourism.

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