THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 7 yesterday urged the public to participate in activities commemorating Coral Triangle Day on June 9.
Melissa Cabahug of the BFAR 7 public information office yesterday said there will be activities to raise awareness on the importance of corals and marine diversity during Coral Triangle Day.
The annual event, first observed in 2012, is celebrated in Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste, which comprise the Coral Triangle. The area is known for having the highest marine biological diversity worldwide.
Activities normally include beach cleanups.
Cabahug said during the Association of Government Information Officers forum the conservation of the Coral Triangle should be everyone’s concern because the area supplies fish and marine products.
William Jatulan, regional coordinator of the United States Coral Triangle Initiative Support Program, said that without corals and coral reefs, there would be no fish.
Corals provide food to fish and reefs serve as breeding or spawning grounds for many marine species.
“We have to protect the remaining good coral cover in the country,” Jatulan said.
Fr. Tito Soquiño, Santo Niño de Cebu Augustinian Social Development Foundation director, said the degradation of coral reefs can be blamed on illegal fishing
methods, like those that involve dynamite and cyanide.
Soquiño, one of the founders of the marine life conservation group Sea Knights, said the government and the private sector must work together to stop illegal fishing and provide sustainable livelihood to fisherfolk.
Cebu Provincial Board (PB) Member Thadeo Ouano said during the forum that Gov. Hilario Davide III issued an executive order enjoining Local Government Units (LGUs) to participate in the Coral Triangle Day celebration.
Ouano said he also filed a proposal declaring June 9 a non-working holiday so people can participate in Coral Triangle Day activities. His proposal is being studied by the PB’s committee on laws.