Status of Protected Areas in Tablas Island Romblon, Philippines

Abstract

Status of protected areas located at Barangay Budiong, Odiongan and Bunsuran, Ferrol, in Tablas Island, Romblon, Philippines were assessed last February 22 and 23, 2012.The average live hard coral cover (HC) inside Budiong-Odiongan MPA was lower (32%) than that of the outside (45%) but both were categorized into fair condition. For Bunsuran-Ferrol MPA, HC were the same (30%) and in fair condition. The fish density outside of the Budiong MPA was less than inside, but the biomass of the outside was higher than that of the inside. This suggests that the fishes outside MPA might have larger sizes than those inside Budiong MPA. This maybe brought about by the relatively higher live coral cover outside MPA. Bunsuran-Ferrol MPA has also better fish assemblage status both outside and inside of MPA than the Budiong- Odiongan MPA. As for livelihood potential, the number of commercial Families of fish species was seven in the inside of Budiong-Odiongan MPA, while six Families in the outside. The results indicate that the two reefs studied in Tablas Island have undergone high fishing pressures in the past so that it needs immediate nourishment, protection, and management. The low biomass of fish in MPA could be solved by means of restocking of relevant species on the reef. By improving the fish and macro-invertebrates, livelihood of fishers is expected to improve.