UNEP/GEF Project: Reversing Environmental Degradation Trends in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand
Masinloc Coral Reef Demonstration Site, Zambales, Philippines
Network of Small - Scale Sanctuaries in Masinloc,
Issues and Challenges
was given responsibility for the overall administration,
Philippines
management, policy formulation and implementation of
The issues and challenges facing coral reef
actions relating to the sustainable use of coastal
Project Summary
conservation and sustainable use in the area include
waters. The board is chaired by the Municipal Mayor
illegal fishing, poaching in the marine protected areas,
Masinloc, in Zambales Province is accorded high
and representatives of all the stakeholders are
and marine and coastal pollution. In terms of the legal
priority among the Philippine biodiversity conservation
members. Regular quarterly meetings are convened to
and institutional frameworks available to address these
priorities particularly with respect to benthic molluscs,
update members on the interventions and initiatives in
issues, there is a need to integrate the efforts of all the
and corals; and pelagic cetaceans, turtles, and whale
managing the coastal waters of Masinloc.
stakeholders and to create opportunities for leveraging
sharks. It is imperative therefore that the Local
complementary interventions. Financial sustainability
Government Unit and all other stakeholders play a
needs to be addressed to ensure that successful
proactive role in ensuring sustainable use for the long
management interventions can be sustained over the
term benefit of both the artisanal fishing community and
long-term.
larger private sector enterprises.
Experiences in Institutional and Financial
Arrangements
The experience of the Masinloc Coral Reef
Demonstration Site provides a springboard for future
efforts to sustainably manage the coastal waters and
resources of Masinloc. The coastal waters have many
users and managers, each with their own interests and
objectives in using and benefiting from the coastal
waters. Hence, there is a need to synchronise and

synergise efforts to enhance resource management.
Aquaculture operators are also involved stakeholders
Responsibility for fund raising has been left to the
management councils of the individual MPAs for
special projects that they deem a priority, such as

fencing of the guardhouse in Bani. Entrance and
Sign for the network of four MPAs
visitor's fees, for snorkelers and divers are also
collected and proceeds from the sale of products at the
The Masinloc Coral Reef Demonstration Site was
livelihood centre and other donations have been
designed to establish a network of small-scale
deposited in a Coastal Resource Management Trust
sanctuaries under adaptive co-management and to
Fund. Although these amounts are minimal to date the
demonstrate the benefits of this approach. The
financial system is now in place in advance of the
objective was to establish three new sanctuaries to
anticipated boom in ecotourism. Fines and penalties for
replicate the oldest marine sanctuary in Luzon, the San
violations of the MPAs and CRM Code are also
Salvador Marine Sanctuary. These four sanctuaries are
deposited in the trust fund. In addition an annual
being managed individually by management bodies
budget of PHP500,000 from the 20% Development
composed of representatives of fishers, women's

Fund of the Local Government of Masinloc, and 10% of
groups, youth organisations, barangay council
Artisanal fishers are key stakeholders in Masinloc
the revenues from the operation of the Power Plant are
chairman on environment, advised by representatives
deposited in the Coastal Resource Management Trust
of the national line agencies and the local government
The Masinloc Coral Reef Demonstration Site provided
Fund.
unit (municipal level). The provision of assistance both
an opportunity for the stakeholders, both users (fishers,
by the UNEP-GEF South China Sea Project and the
aquaculture operators, resort owners, power plant
Experiences with Law Enforcement and Monitoring
Local Government Unit of Masinloc and other
managers, mining firms, and the Port Authority) and
stakeholders such as the power plant, fish cage
managers (Local Government Units, Department of
Four guardhouses have been installed adjacent to the
operators and resort owners, has paved the way to the
Environment and Natural Resources, and Bureau of
MPAs which are strategically located in the north,
establishment of a management system that facilitates
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) to meet together as
south, east and west of San Salvador Island.
enforcement, monitoring, and financial sustainability.
the Coastal Resources Management Board. This Board
Consequently the Bantay Dagat do not need to conduct

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UNEP/GEF Project: Reversing Environmental Degradation Trends in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand
Masinloc Coral Reef Demonstration Site, Zambales, Philippines
frequent boat patrols, hence saving on the costs of
campaigns; stock enhancement; coral transplantation;
decision making with respect to collective action
gasoline. Each guardhouse is manned by a team of
and other capacity building activities.
directed towards ecological enhancement and
four law enforcement members who guard the MPA
environmental protection and management. Whilst
and adjacent coastal areas against illegal fishing. Blast
To reduce stress from fishing pressure, some 199
such an approach yields benefits in the longer term it
fishing has been eliminated following the apprehension
hectares of the Masinloc coral reef or about 9% of the
must be recognised that deliberations on issues and
of one of the blast fishers in late 2007. The Coastal
2,200 hectares is designated as a strict protection
concerns takes much time.
Law Enforcement Team led by the Chief of Police in
zone, as a Marine Protected Area legitimized by
Masinloc, supported by the Special Action Force of the
Barangay Ordinance and Sangguniang Bayan
Potential for Replication
Philippine Army conducts regular patrols and makes
Resolutions. In addition to this, 80 hectares have been
The establishment of small-sized MPAs and their
arrests in support of the Bantay Dagat Federation.
designated as reserved areas where regulated and
traditional fishing methods are permitted. As a direct
networking through an adaptive co-management
result of the strengthening of the Bantay Dagat and
approach has a very high potential for replication. It is a
formation of Coastal Law Enforcement Team, a
good practice to involve all stakeholders in the
significant reduction in the incidence of illegal fishing
management and protection of the coastal and marine
has been recorded by the Bantay Dagat Federation.
environment. Other bays in the Philippines could
replicate this strategy which provides for sustainable
utilisation and at the same time sets aside areas for
strict protection for both natural and induced coral reef
rehabilitation and enhancement.
The potential benefits of the small-sized MPAs may in
theory not be as significant as one large site. The
experience at Masinloc suggests however, that the
small sites are easier to manage and have been more
effective in terms of local community participation in

management. It has been noted that larger MPAs have
mainly been established at the central government
Guardhouse for the use of the Bantay Dagat patrols
level and their total area have rarely been managed
Two fishers from each MPA Council have been trained
effectively. Small MPAs offer a possible solution to this.
in identification, listing and counting fish using local
names seen along a 10 metre wide transect. Another

Future development of the MPA network will focus on
two fishers were trained to estimate coral cover using
improving the understanding of links between the life-
Community consultations in Masinloc
the benthic life-forms and all individuals were trained in
cycles of economically important fish species and
simple data analysis and presentation of results. Twice
Rationale for the Approach Taken
management areas at Masinloc. It is envisaged that
yearly monitoring will be undertaken and the results
this will facilitate enhanced dialogue between the
The co-management approach was adopted in order to
posted in the Barangay Hall for public information.
fisheries and environment sectors for coral reef
ensure sustainability of the management system
management in the Philippines.
Stakeholder Involvement
through mainstreaming of the coastal and marine
environmental programme into both local and national
Contact Details
Stakeholder involvement has been fostered since the
government regular programs thus becoming part of
Marine Science Institute
inception of the project and the initial proposal was
government basic services to the constituents. The
University of the Philippines
developed with full participation of the local
involvement of the stakeholders not only as participants
Diliman Quezon City
government, the Department of Environment and
in the activities but in setting the directions and in
Philippines
Natural Resources and the Bureau of Fisheries and
strategising for the smooth implementation of activities
E-mail: pmalino@upmsi.ph

Aquatic Resources. The Management Board was
has enhanced the probability of sustainability and

formally established through Executive Order of the
replication.
Mayor and an ordinance by the Sanguguniang Bayan,
and has been working on: the formulation of the
The advantage of the co-management approach is the
Coastal Resources Management and Zoning Plan;
increased involvement of the stakeholders in project
establishment of new marine protected areas and their
implementation, monitoring and evaluation. This project


networking; monitoring; law enforcement; information
provided an opportunity for all stakeholders to share in

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