The Coral Triangle
We are situated at the apex of the Coral Triangle, the center of the center of marine biodiversity worldwide. You can find 76% of the world’s coral species here, as well as 37% of the world’s reef fishes and six of the world’s seven marine turtle species. Moreover, around 40 mangrove species and about 16 species of seagrass call the Philippines their home. Coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs, seagrass and mangrove systems provide a wide range of ecosystem services, such as nurseries, endangered species habitats, photosynthesis production, storm protection, water filtration etc.
However, the Philippines are experiencing serious threats, including the overexploitation of natural resources, pollution, poorly planned development, unsustainable fishing, illegal wildlife trade etc. Eventually, this will lead to ecosystem degradation and species decline, which will also have grave impacts on local communities and fishermen, who would lose their livelihoods. These threats do not always originate near the ocean, but can also be attributed to upland activities such as unsustainable agriculture, logging, unmanaged waste disposal etc. This is why we promote the Ridge-to-Reef approach and even took it up in our Bontoc Seaview Guesthouse (BSG) Marketing concept, as the uphill (Ridge) and downstream (Reef) ecosystems are interlinked, and should be managed accordingly. Conservationists are working hard to address these challenges, so local communities can secure their income and tourists can continue to enjoy the incredible diversity the country has to offer.
However, the Philippines are experiencing serious threats, including the overexploitation of natural resources, pollution, poorly planned development, unsustainable fishing, illegal wildlife trade etc. Eventually, this will lead to ecosystem degradation and species decline, which will also have grave impacts on local communities and fishermen, who would lose their livelihoods. These threats do not always originate near the ocean, but can also be attributed to upland activities such as unsustainable agriculture, logging, unmanaged waste disposal etc. This is why we promote the Ridge-to-Reef approach and even took it up in our Bontoc Seaview Guesthouse (BSG) Marketing concept, as the uphill (Ridge) and downstream (Reef) ecosystems are interlinked, and should be managed accordingly. Conservationists are working hard to address these challenges, so local communities can secure their income and tourists can continue to enjoy the incredible diversity the country has to offer.
At the Forefront of Conservation
Someone who has been working at the forefront of marine conservation for all his life is Romy Trono, who owns the BSG together with his family. For decades, he has been successfully advocating for a better management and protection of the environment, amongst others as the former country director of the two biggest environmental NGOs in the Philippines.
His main focus has been the conservation of marine turtles and dugongs and until today he is working to improve the management and protection of these species in his capacity as advisor for government agencies and other stakeholders. One of his focus areas has been the Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area (TIHPA), consisting of six islands in the Philippines and three islands in Malaysia, where he helped establish the first transboundary protected area for marine turtles in the world! The TIHPA is a major nesting ground for green and hawksbill turtles in the region and requires the implementation of the right policies and management in order to retain that status.
His main focus has been the conservation of marine turtles and dugongs and until today he is working to improve the management and protection of these species in his capacity as advisor for government agencies and other stakeholders. One of his focus areas has been the Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area (TIHPA), consisting of six islands in the Philippines and three islands in Malaysia, where he helped establish the first transboundary protected area for marine turtles in the world! The TIHPA is a major nesting ground for green and hawksbill turtles in the region and requires the implementation of the right policies and management in order to retain that status.
Resort Owners Association of Mabini
Romy was also the former President of the Resort Owners Association of Mabini (ROAM), which was founded in 2017 with the goal to “promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, environmentally responsible, participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable, as well as ethically and socially equitable for the local communities”. To be ecologically sustainable comprises to tackle the challenge of marine litter: 8 million tons of plastics enter the ocean every year and 80% of that marine pollution originates from land. This is why ROAM partnered with the Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (MPIF) in celebrating the 10th year of its Shore It Up environmental campaign through a coastal and underwater clean up in Anilao, Mabini, on March 03, 2018.
More than 100 volunteers showed up and engaged in clean-up activities. The BSG deployed 16 volunteers and collected more than 300 cigarette butts, more than 400 sachets, and 160 plastic bags amongst others with a total weight of 38.5kg. We hope that the event inspired and heightened everybody's awareness on the need to dispose of our waste responsibly in order to continue enjoying the ecosystem services that our coastal and marine ecosystems provide, such as food security, tourism opportunities etc. Shore It Up in your community, too, and let's protect our ocean!
More than 100 volunteers showed up and engaged in clean-up activities. The BSG deployed 16 volunteers and collected more than 300 cigarette butts, more than 400 sachets, and 160 plastic bags amongst others with a total weight of 38.5kg. We hope that the event inspired and heightened everybody's awareness on the need to dispose of our waste responsibly in order to continue enjoying the ecosystem services that our coastal and marine ecosystems provide, such as food security, tourism opportunities etc. Shore It Up in your community, too, and let's protect our ocean!
If you want to know more, ask Romy about it during your stay - and he will be happy to share his adventurous stories!