On the picturesque island of Malapascua in the Philippines, an ambitious and transformative project is underway, led by the non-profit organization People and the Sea. Through the support of the PADI AWARE Foundation® Mission Hub Community Grant Program and its partnership with Blancpain, this initiative—titled “Coral, Climate, Communities”—is working to redefine marine conservation in the region by promoting Marine Protected Area (MPA) recognition and empowering local stakeholders to protect their vital marine ecosystems.
Empowering Local Communities for Sustainable Marine Management
PADI AWARE® grantees are selected based on their commitment to advancing PADI and PADI AWARE’s joint Blueprint for Ocean Action in their communities, which aims to advance the global agenda for Sustainable Development. The PADI AWARE® Community Grant Program is aiding local champions like People and the Sea to help meet country-specific development goals.
The primary objective of People and the Sea’s Coral, Climate, Communities project is to establish a locally-led committee that actively manages the protection of coral and seagrass ecosystems. People and the Sea has championed this endeavor, fostering sustainable management practices within coastal communities. Since 2015, their efforts on Malapascua have centered on improving local livelihoods and preserving marine biodiversity through waste reduction, sustainable fishing, marine research, youth education, and bolstering economic resilience of coastal communities.
“In 2023, thanks to the support of PADI AWARE®, we were able to engage fishers in Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS) population management, focusing mainly on local MPAs,” says Axelle Jorcin, Founder and Executive Director of People and the Sea. “For the first time, they became guardians of their reefs, embracing the program wholeheartedly and continuing their efforts to this day. This newfound sense of ownership extended beyond COTS management, as fishers initiated discussions with tour guides to prevent anchoring in MPAs. Collaborating with local authorities and businesses, they successfully installed buoys to minimize anchoring in those areas.”
By improving reef health and biodiversity and collaborating with the fishing community and other local stakeholders, People and the Sea aims to improve food security for the region and develop a strong local governance for the protection of marine habitats.
Overcoming Challenges and Fostering Engagement
The journey has not been without its challenges. Post-COVID-19, the resumption of surveying and monitoring activities required considerable effort. Engaging the local community in active conservation actions has been pivotal to the project’s success. Active participation is deemed essential for the sustainable conservation of marine resources. The support from PADI AWARE® has helped enable the community to address issues such as crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) outbreaks, anchor damage and over-harvesting of seagrass meadows.
People and the Sea’s achievements to date are impressive. They have conducted the first comprehensive analysis of seagrass habitats on Malapascua, identified optimal areas for seagrass MPAs, and established a digital catch monitoring program involving the community. Their reef monitoring program, reactivated post-pandemic, has identified concerning declines in species diversity and abundance, attributed to COTS outbreaks and destructive boating activities. By involving local tour guides and boat operators in conservation efforts, the project has seen promising community engagement.
“As a diver and instructor with a passion for wrecks and marine life, the past year has been an amazing change of direction for me,” says Alex Gosbee, Dive Officer for People and the Sea. “Working on this project with the support of the PADI AWARE® grant has enabled us to restart People and the Sea’s diving programme as well as push further on COTS population management. We evaluated manual and injection dives removal and have found that both methods are being complementary. This experience has opened my eyes to the importance of marine conservation in island communities.”
Instilling a Sense of Responsibility
“Experiencing the rich biodiversity of MPAs firsthand and seeing the positive impact of their actions has instilled a deep sense of responsibility within the community. Recognizing their dependence on the sea for their livelihoods, they are now equipped with the tools, the confidence, and the ability to protect it,” adds Jorcin.
This initiative has also led to the mapping of marine habitats around Malapascua, validating locations for artificial reefs in collaboration with local fishermen. The joint advocation of a marine sanctuary, covering approximately five hectares, underscores the growing awareness and commitment within the fishing community to the ecological and socio-economic benefits of MPAs.
Looking Ahead
The Coral, Climate, Communities project continues to progress, driven by community engagement and the support of volunteers. The focus remains on educating the community and involving them in active conservation actions to facilitate the recognition and acceptance of locally-led MPAs.
The efforts of People and the Sea exemplify the potential of community-driven conservation. As the project advances, it stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and local empowerment in protecting the ocean globally.
Visit www.peopleandthesea.org to learn more or connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/peopleandthesea.
Support Marine Conservation
Blancpain’s partnership with PADI AWARE® has been instrumental in supporting MPA projects like this one. Through the PADI AWARE® Community Grant Program, vital conservation initiatives championing PADI® and PADI AWARE’s joint Blueprint for Ocean Action around the globe receive much-needed funding.
To support the important work of organizations dedicated to ocean health, consider donating to the PADI AWARE Foundation®. Your contributions can help sustain and expand efforts to protect our marine environments.
Donate today at donate.padiaware.org. Together, we can make a difference in preserving the beauty and biodiversity of the ocean for future generations.
If your organization is interested in partnering with the PADI AWARE Foundation®, contact us at [email protected] to discuss opportunities.
