WELCOMEWELCOMETOTO

APO REEF NATURAL PARKAPO REEF NATURAL PARK“the precious gift of God to the “the precious gift of God to the people of Sablayan, Occidental people of Sablayan, Occidental

Mindoro, Philippines”Mindoro, Philippines”

INTRODUCTION ON APO REEF NATURAL PARKINTRODUCTION ON APO REEF NATURAL PARK

LocationLocation– It lies under the clear It lies under the clear

blue waters of the South blue waters of the South China Sea, which is one China Sea, which is one of the most stunning of the most stunning coral reef formations of coral reef formations of the Philippinesthe Philippines

– 15 nautical miles west of 15 nautical miles west of Sablayan, Occidental Sablayan, Occidental MindoroMindoro

– 20 nautical miles 20 nautical miles northeast of the northeast of the Calamian Groups of Calamian Groups of Islands, Northern Islands, Northern Palawan.Palawan.

Brief Description of the ParkBrief Description of the Park

• Area:Area: 15,792 hectares 15,792 hectares– Marine Area:Marine Area: 15,763 15,763

hectareshectares– Land Area:Land Area: 29 hectares 29 hectares – Buffer Zone Area: Buffer Zone Area: 11,677 11,677

hectares Marine Areahectares Marine Area – Total Area: Total Area: 27,469 27,469

hectares (PA + Buffer hectares (PA + Buffer Zone)Zone)

– Composed of three islands:Composed of three islands:• Apo Island: 22 Apo Island: 22

hectareshectares• Apo Menor Apo Menor

(Binanggaan) Island(Binanggaan) Island• Cayos del Bajo Cayos del Bajo

(Tinangkapan) Island(Tinangkapan) Island

Habitat and EcosystemHabitat and Ecosystem

• Mangrove Habitat

Mangroves serve as a vital nursery area for juvenile fishes and nutrient production that contribute to the aquatic food chain.

The mangrove forest and the lagoon are home to several species of fish, stingrays, jellyfishes, marine plants and other marine organisms.

The mangrove forest also serves as habitat for several species of shorebirds.

Habitat and EcosystemHabitat and Ecosystem• Beach Habitat (Sandy Beaches, Beach Forest, Karstic Rock)

Beaches serve as abrupt transition zones between marine and terrestrial habitats. It serve as nesting areas for endangered Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) and

Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). Crustaceans, mollusks and some worms are also dependent on this habitat.

Habitat and EcosystemHabitat and Ecosystem

• Marine Habitat

It includes seagrass and algal vegetations, coral reefs and lagoons. It provides herbivorous species with food and shelter. It is home to several species of fishes, stingrays, jellyfishes, marine plants,

and other marine organisms.

Background History of the Park

• 1980 - Apo Reef was designated as Marine Reserve (Presidential Proclamation No. 1801).

• 1983 - Apo Reef was declared a Tourist Zone and Marine Reserve (Municipal Resolution No. 1108).

• 1990 - Apo Reef was chosen to be among the ten priority sites of the Integrated Protected Areas System (IPAS).

• 1992 - Apo Reef was included in the initial listing of IPAS sites all over the country pursuant to RA7586, also known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992.

Background History of the Park

• 1994 - Apo Reef became part of the Conservation of Priority Protected Areas Project (CPPAP). The CPPAP officially ended on June 30, 2002.

• 1996 - Apo Reef was declared as a Protected Area under the category of Natural Park (Presidential Proclamation 868) and its surrounding waters as Buffer Zone pursuant to RA7586 or NIPAS Act of 1992.

Present Status and Conditions

• Coral Cover– 51.03% - CY 2006

Survey (DENR & WWF/KKP thru Mr. E. Applied Environmental Sciences)

– 37.13% - CY 2003 Survey (DENR & WWF/KKP thru Mr. E. Applied Environmental Sciences)

– 35.12% - CY 2001 Survey (DENR-CPPAP thru the PIU Staff)

– 33% - CY 1999 Survey (DENR-CPPAP thru PCU and PIU Staff)

– 33% - CY 1994 Survey (DENR-CEP thru UPMSI)

Present Status and Conditions• Reef Fish (based on CY 2006 Survey)

– Species Richness – 226 species from 30 families

– Total Abundance – 9,246 individuals

– Biomass – 1,238 kg (from the 15 stations surveyed)

– Average Biomass Estimate – 330.14 tons/km² (fish counts converted into weights per unit area)

– Standing Stock of Reef Fish – 11,302.96 tons (based on the average biomass estimate and the total coral cover/reef area of 34 km²)

Present Status and Conditions

• Flora and Fauna– 47 species of migratory

and resident breeders birds– 46 species of plants

(terrestrial)– 7 species of seagrasses– 26 species of algae– 385 species of fishes (85

families)– 78 genera of marine

invertebrates– 190 species of hard and 7

species of soft corals (species of hard corals represent 38% of 500 known species of hard corals in the Philippines)

• Threatened/Near-Threatened Species of Wildlife– Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica)– Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)– Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys

imbricata)

Present Status and Conditions

Nicobar Pigeon

Present Status and Conditions

• Threatened/Near-Threatened Species of Wildlife– Coconut Crab (Birgus latro)– Giant Clams (Tridacna spp.)– Smooth Top Shell (Trochus

niloticus)

Reef Shark (Carcharhinus spp.)

Present Status and Conditions• Threatened/Near-Threatened Species of Wildlife

Long-snouted Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncates)

Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longirostris)

Manta Ray (Manta sp.)

White Tip Reef Shark Gray Reef Shark

Potential Capabilities in terms of Ecotourism

Apo Reef is one of the best-known diving destinations in the Philippines.

All of the breathtaking marine resources in Apo Reef give divers an unforgettable and rewarding experience.

The Park has the unique underwater wealth of wonders which is teeming with marine flora, fauna and luxuriant coral growth acclaimed as one of the world’s best.

The park considered as the precious gift of God to the people of Sablayan and show window of Occidental Mindoro.

Potential Capabilities in terms of Ecotourism Varied activities that can be done

Marine Habitat

SCUBA diving and Snorkeling - Already practiced in ARNP, there are enhancements that can be implemented for ecotourism development in the area.

Potential Capabilities in terms of Ecotourism

Bird Watching - ARNP serves as a major bird shelter in the area. This activity will add more value to the park as regards information or publicity on it as a major bird habitat.

Nicobar PigeonPacific Reef Egret

Black-Naped Oriole Black-Naped Tern

Nutmeg Imperial Pigeon

Varied activities that can be done

Potential Capabilities in terms of Ecotourism

Dolphin Watching

Varied activities that can be done

Island Hopping (Lagoon Rafting, Mangrove Forest Watching, Turtle Monitoring)

Kayaking Reef Cruising

Potential Capabilities in terms of Ecotourism

Connectivity with other major destinations such as Northern Palawan, Puerto Galera, Batangas and Boracay

Potential growth of domestic cruising

Continuous growth of SCUBA diving industry

Proximity of Apo Reef from Metro Manila

Additional Information

• Records of Visitors

YEARNumber of Visitors Monthly Average

TOTAL FOREIGN LOCAL TOTAL FOREIGN LOCAL

CY 2006 1,471 1,031 440 123 86 37

CY 2007 1,825 1,255 570 153 105 48

CY 2008 2,221 1,619 602 185 135 50

• Records of Revenues (User’s Fee) under IPAF

YEAR Total Collections (IN PESO) Monthly Average (IN PESO)

CY 2006 889,870.00 74,155.83

CY 2007 1,073,830.00 89,485.83

CY 2008 1,079,100.00 89,925.00

Additional InformationAdditional Information

• Records of Visitors

YEARNumber of Visitors Monthly Average

TOTAL FOREIGN LOCAL TOTAL FOREIGN LOCAL

CY 2006 1,471 1,031 440 123 86 37

CY 2007 1,825 1,255 570 153 105 48

CY 2008 2,221 1,619 602 185 135 50

Annual Records

0500

1,0001,5002,0002,500

2006 2007 2008Year Recorded

No. of

Visito

rs Total

Foreign

Local

Monthly Average

01,000

2,0003,000

2006 2007 2008Year Recorded

No. o

f Visi

tors

Total

Foreign

Local

Additional InformationAdditional Information

• Records of Visitors

Annual Records

0500

1,0001,5002,0002,5003,000

Year Recorded

No. o

f Visi

tors Total

Foreign

Local