IN CELEBRATION with the Ocean Month, government officials and environment advocates in Central Visayas reminded the public to protect and conserve the seas around the region, specifically Tañon Strait.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Oceania Philippines on Tuesday highlighted the need to protect Tañon Strait, which is "threatened by unbridled development and other destructive human activities, such as unchecked commercial-fishing operations."
Tañon Strait, which is about 161 kilometers long, lies between the islands of Negros and Cebu. It connects the Visayan Sea in the north to the Bohol Sea in the south.
“Protecting Tañon Strait is a challenging, yet vital, task. The strengthened collaboration of various stakeholders to conserve and protect this critically important marine habitat and fishing ground, where thousands of fishers depend on for food and livelihood, has to be prioritized to ensure sustainable seafood security for future generations,” Lawyer Gloria Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines, said.
"They (people) can help by protecting our mangroves, go into mangrove planting, following laws, and most importantly helping the protected areas", said Emma Melana, DENR-Central Visayas acting director.
"The waters of the Philippines have the highest level of nearshore diversity in the world. There are more species of coral in 20 hectares of the Central Visayas than the entire Caribbean," according to Oceana Philippines. "These marine waters also support highly productive fisheries, providing livelihoods and food for millions of people."
Tañon Strait was declared as a protected area by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 1234, signed by former President Fidel V. Ramos on May 27, 1998, pursuant to the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act. (CNU Communication Interns Jullianne Consing and Myriel Caminade/VoxPop Philippines)