CASE STUDY Local Community, Marine Tourism and Conservation; Pamilacan Island, Bohol

Presented by: Barredo, Natasja Ansherine

Bercilla, Mary Paola

I. KEY PROBLEMS AND ISSUES:

• Environmental Issues and Risks associated with unsustainable use of natural resources such as (Unsustainable fishing practice)

i.e. hunting whale sharks, dolphins, and other large marine species

• Scarcity of Freshwater and lack of water supply

• How to sustain the tourism development in Pamilacan, Bohol

II. BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND RELEVANT FACTS ABOUT PAMILICAN ISLAND, BOHOL

• Pamilacan means “resting place of the mantas” though some local folks say that the name of the island was derived from the word “pamilac” or harpoon, a common fishing implement used to capture whale sharks, manta rays and dolphins

• Pamilacan is an island in the Bohol Sea, situated 12.5 kilometres south of Bohol Island, Philippines. It is a barangay of the municipality of Baclayon. It is a small island between the deep sea of Bohol and Mindanao with an area of 175 ha

II. BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND RELEVANT FACTS ABOUT PAMILICAN ISLAND, BOHOL

• It is one of the best spots in the Philippines for viewing dolphins and sharks in the wild. A yearly average of 1,252 tourists was recorded from 2003 to 2008, according to DOT in 2009.

• There were no evidence of foreign or aboriginal settlement on the Island apart from the ruins of a 17th century Spanish fort

LOCAL COMMUNITY• Home to more or less 200 families

• Nearly 90% of the residents-adults-third-fourth generation were born on the island. They were the pioneering fishers and whale hunters who settled in Pamilican during the height of the whale watching venture in the Sea of Bohol

LOCAL COMMUNITY• Fishing was the main

occupations in the barangay before tourism was introduced

• Supplementary income comes from the sale of animals and by-products such as goats, chicken, pigs, and cows

LOCAL COMMUNITY• Annual plants such as onion and root crops are cultivated due to

the scarcity of freshwater

• Rain is the main source of freshwater for farming and domestic use

• Two deep wells are used for the whole community for washing clothes and for bathing while there is no safe drinking water. They rely on rainwater, coconut water, and filtered/tap water

MARINE TOURISM• No fewer than three community-based outfits

organize expeditions and employ former whalers. All use old converted whaling boats and local crews. Boats hold four to six people.

• Whale sightings are relatively rare, but the best time for spotting them is from February to July; dolphins are common year-round.

• The tourism peak season starts from December and lasts until May with the highest visitation rates occurring in March and April

MARINE TOURISM Aside from the beautiful white sand beaches,

magnificent dive sites, dolphin and whale watching, and bountiful marine life, the island also boast of a 200-year-old Spanish fort. It is situated at the northeast side of the island. In the past, it served as a watch station for intruders such as pirates and other enemies of the Spanish colony.

To cater to tourists, locals and foreigners alike, a resort has recently been developed in the island, the Pueblo de Pamilacan Island Resort. Cottages and a souvenir shop are available and the resort offers guided tours around the island and dolphin and whale watching expeditions

MARINE TOURISM• Though whales and many of the dolphins are

most active at night and during early morning, the best time to watch them is at dawn. Trips usually begin in March until the onset of the rainy season in June or July though tours depend much on weather and sea conditions.

• International tourist are mostly Japanese and Koreans

• Very few stay overnight because tourism facilities are limited

MARINE TOURISM• Since marine mammal sightings are not

always guaranteed, a few recreational activities are offered in Pamilacan such as swimming, snorkeling, diving, and village tour and mainland Baclayon such as nature and cultural tours, and caving

• Beach walking is also a relaxing leisure which is enhanced by the presence of beautiful seascape, numerous seashells scattered on the white powdery

CONSERVATION

• Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) or marine reserves are areas set aside to protect coral reef ecosystems and associated plants and animals. Also maintain the biodiversity inherent in coral reefs, and sustain their usefulness in the economic enterprises.

• Through the initiative of the Silliman University, the Pamilacan Island Fish Sanctuary was established in 1986. The marine reserve is about 12 hectares in area. The reserve was officially recognized as a “no-take zone” only in 1994 by virtue of Municipal Ordinance No. 1

CONSERVATION• In 1992, Fisheries Administrative order No. 185

ban “the taking or catching, selling, purchashing, possessing, transporting and exporting of dolphins” including all cetaceans and porpoises

• In 1998, the ban was broadened to include whale sharks and manta rays (Fisheries Administrative Order No. 193)

• Convention on the international Trade in Endangered Species of Flora nad Fauna (CITIES)- an international treaty that protects wild species in international trade

Whale Shark

Sperm Whale

Manta Ray

• Coral reefs- a tourism asset

• The daily life of local residents

• Sand mining

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY –BASED TOURISM1. External Support and early intervention2. Economic benefits and incentives3. Collection and sharing of user fees4. Regulatory measures Coral reefs and dive sites Cetacean/whale shark- visitor interactions5. Local community networking and collaboration6. Social equity 7. Training and capacity building8. Continuity, monitoring and evaluation

III. ALTERNATIVESIf we want to, we can reverse most of the

destruction. In some situations it might only take a decade, in other situations it might take many centuries. Yet in the end we can have productive and healthy Island again as is shown way back then. We do however need to act on it now, before we cross the point of no return.

• As an alternative to continues declined in our marine resources due to over and destructive fishing. Local community must be monitored that instead of harming the marine they rather protect and conserve it for tourism since it is becoming their main source of income nowadays. They should develop it to be a more presentable and lovely attraction to attract more tourist.

IV. PROPOSED SOLUTIONGreenpeace

• An independent organization that works for the conservation and protection of environment.

• They have many set of campaigns to protect the world we live in, including Campaigns about shutting down whaling fleets and scuttling illegal whaling vessels.

• Responsible for the moratorium which means the ban of whaling, which help the right whale to rebound and recover from being endangered.

IV. PROPOSED SOLUTIONRecycle water

• Harvesting what little rain water they received. It is collected when it falls on the earth, stored and utilized at a later point. It can be purified to make it into drinking water, used for daily applications and even utilized in large scale industries.

• Rainwater harvesting is a process or technique of collecting, filtering, storing and using rainwater for irrigation and for various other purposes.

IV. PROPOSED SOLUTIONAchieving sustainability within the budget, the best

practice doesn’t always require to be expensive.

• Traditional design Traditional building techniques result in less earth moving and disturbance

• Energy

• Native vegetation landscaping Authentication Attracts native wild life Low cost low water usage Not introducing weed and self sustaining

IV. PROPOSED SOLUTION• Transport Unique tourism experience with affordable price Must be ensure the safety

• Handicrafts and arts

• Apply labor instead of technlogy

V. RECOMMENDATIONSAchieving sustainable tourism requires

motivation, determination and a systematic approach. They should encourage each other to contribute to protecting and enhancing our natural, built and historic environment; and, as part of this, helping to improve biodiversity, use natural resources prudently, minimize waste and pollution specially in water for the place is experiencing water shortage, and mitigate and adapt to climate change including moving to a low carbon economy. Inspire the community to join the campaigns at the same time, let them take in knowledge about the effects of whaling.