02/04/2025
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A very good job to our FMRED Divers Chief Al Dela Torre and Kuya Galang!!!!
The West Philippine Sea (WPS) has the highest biomass of reef fishes and species richness in the country. In AprilโMay 2022, underwater surveys were conducted in nine areas of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) to assess coral reefs and reef fish populations. The overall results indicate that most surveyed sites exhibit low hard coral cover (HCC), with the majority classified under category D conditions (< 22% HCC). The highest coral cover was recorded at Sabina Shoal, with 30.52% in mesophotic coral ecosystems and 35.66% in shallow water areas, exceeding the national average HCC of 22%.
These findings highlight the urgent need for conservation efforts, continued monitoring, and stronger policies to protect the reefs and marine life in this ecologically and geopolitically important region.
To learn more, read the full article here https://doi.org/10.31398/tpjf
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The Philippine Journal of Fisheries (TPJF) is a semi-annual, open-access journal published by the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI). TPJF is indexed in Scopus, Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstract, Directory of Open Access Journals, and ASEAN Citation Index, among others.
In the photo: Figure 5. Photodocumentations observed in the coral reef of Kalayaan Island Group. Damage coral reefs taken at Parola (Figure A) and Patag (Figure B). Signs of threats such as coral bleaching in Lawak (Figure C) and a portion of dead coral caused by Crown -of-thorns seastar (CoTS) in Pagasa (Figure D). Coral recruits in Likas (Figure D) and Patag (Figure E). Figures F and G are the coral cover found in Sabina Shoal.