In an article released by the Manila Bulletin, fish production in the Philippines continues to decline as a result of coral reef destruction.
Source: Manila Bulletin
Philippines, one of the world’s top producers of fish, came in at number 10 in terms of capture fishery production in 2019. Fisheries resources contribute significantly to the country’s gross domestic product and foreign exchange. Fishing has been a significant source of income for Filipinos. However, in an article released by the Manila Bulletin, fish production continues to decline due to several factors including coral reef destruction.
Coral reefs are considered as one of the planet’s primary life support systems and marine equivalent of rainforests. Healthy coral reefs are necessary for about 25% of the ocean fish. With a wide size of 27,000 square kilometers and critical locations in the following Philippine provinces: Palawan (37%), Sulu (27.8%), Visayas (21.7%), Northern Luzon (7.6%), Central and Southern Mindanao (3.2%), and the Turtle Islands (1.7%), the country is home to one of the world’s largest coral reef systems.
Despite their great value, coral reefs are threatened by destruction. Among the practices which cause the destruction of coral reefs are coastal development, fishing methods particularly dynamite and cyanide fishing, as well as natural causes which include extremely low tide, high temperature of surface water, predation, and the mechanical action of currents and waves. A study conducted by the International Union of the Conservation of Nature found that as a result of the destruction of coral reefs, fishermen in Lamit Bay in Camarines Sur catch fewer fish and smaller fish with each passing year.
References:
Tacio H. (2023, February 18). Fish production plunging due to coral reef destruction. Manila Bulletin. Retrieved May 8, 2023 from https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/17/fish-production-plunging-due-to-coral-reef-destruction/
