Southern Leyte Coral Reef
Conservation Project (LRCP)
Monthly Project Update
December 2016
Location: Napantao Dive Resort, Napantao, San Francisco,
Southern Leyte
Project Scientist: Jamie Parker
[email protected]
LRCP Project Aim
The Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project (LRCP) is a
collaborative project to protect the coral reefs of Sogod Bay, providing
training and conservation education opportunities for local Filipinos, as
part of an integrated programme to develop local capacity and
ensure the long-term protection and sustainable use of marine
resources throughout the region. Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) is
working at the invitation of and in partnership with the Provincial
Government of Southern Leyte (PGSL). CCC provides the resources to
help sustain livelihoods and alleviate poverty through the protection,
restoration and management of coral reefs and tropical forests.
Contents

Latest news

Story of the Month

Educational &
Community Projects

Survey Update

Marine Scholarship
News

Marine Creature of the
month
Latest News
Barangay Napantao Christmas Community Evening
On the 14th of December Janie Morton (SO), Andrea
Gaurana (Sch) organised an evening of Christmas games
for the children of Napantao, which saw a surprise visit from
CCC’s very own Santa Clause, aka. Marco Galliani (SI).
After popcorn and a light refreshment, the children raced
each other for Santa prizes in the first two games including
one that involved having to run with a balloon between
their legs. The action didn’t stop there, as the start of a
treasure hunt, saw the kids scatter energetically all over
Napantao. A game of musical statues followed with
contestants piggy backing each other, while the last parcel
to be opened in a classic game of pass the parcel signalled
the end of a wonderful evening. Wishing everyone a Merry
Christmas, each child went home happy and in high
CCC Scuba Instructor, Marco ‘Santa’ Galliani,
spirits with a CCC Christmas goody bag.
hands out gifts – Photo. Jamie Parker
From all of us at CCC - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project
Philippines, December 2016
Story of the Month
Barangay Cuasi MPA Community Day
On the 10th of December all CCC staff members and volunteers travelled to Barangay Cuasi in San
Francisco to present the findings of Cuasi’s proposed MPA site during an action packed community
day.
After introducing themselves to the Cuasi community, with some light basketball action; CCC
scholar, Andrea Gaurana, entertained the children with few games of fish Pictionary. This was
followed by an energy filled scramble for treasures during a team scavenger hunt which saw
community members of all ages taking part. Fun and games were swapped momentarily for a few
coral reef lectures, presented by Jesse Tinapay (CLO), which focused on marine lifeforms and foodchains as well as also outlining why CCC are working here in the Philippines. Cuasi’s locals’ newfound
food-chain knowledge was then put to the test during the CCC’s ‘blindfold food-chain challenge’,
which also had guest appearances form CCC’s very own Janie Jones (SO) and Matt Pearcey (Vol).
Next on the day’s agenda was the important matter of Cuasi’s proposed MPA survey results; findings
were presented by Project Scientist, Jamie Parker, and was met with a positive reaction from both
community and barangay official members. Cuasi’s reef was deemed to be in good health, but
could benefit substantially from added protection. Of course, a barangay community day is never
complete without the ‘protect your egg MPA game’, which despite smothering their prized MPA
eggs in all manner of soft material, couldn’t prevent their delicate shells from breaking.
Overall, the day was a huge success with all CCC representatives getting involved within the
community. We hope that the community of Cuasi welcome their newly proposed MPA, with the
same passion as they showed for everyone at CCC.
Barangay residents join CCC personal for a farewell photo after the Cuasi community day - Photo. Ben Jack
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Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project
Philippines, December 2016
Education and Community Projects
MPARG Marine Protected Area Ordinance Workshop, Limasawa
On the 12th and 13th of December Coral Cay
Conservation’s Project Scientist, Jamie Parker,
accompanied Alessia Kockel of the Marine Protected
Area Research Group (MPARG) and Sir Armando
Gaviola (PENRMO) to Limasawa, to establish and
validate the coordinates for proposed and established
MPAs surrounding the island. The first day brought
together Barangay representatives and community
members from Triana, San Ricardo, San Agustin and
Cabulihan. Prior to the workshop, where attendees
were able to see their chosen MPA location on the big
screen, GPS coordinates were taken for the proposed
MPA boundaries while circling the island. Having seen
the MPA dimensions for each of the proposed sites,
community members were keen to discuss aspects such
MPARG’s Alessia Kockel guides Limasawa
as
area flexibility, fishing methods and policing logistics.
police representatives through the process of
GPS marking – Photo. Armando Gaviola
These were encouraging signs coming from an area of
Southern Leyte that depends heavily upon fishing as a
form of livelihood and protein. The next day, Alessia Kockel offered an introductory GPS marking
tutorial to three members of the Limasawa police department. By circling the MPA, members were
shown how to take an accurate GPS reading; an integral skill to have when needing to apprehend
those carrying out illegal fishing. Overall, the people of Limasawa were heavily involved in the spatial
planning for the proposed MPAs; this transparent and unified understanding for the projects serves
well as foundation for the MPA development process.
CCC Whale Shark Day, Pintuyan
On the 9th of December CCC staff, volunteers
and scholars visited the waters surrounding San
Ricardo, Pintuyan, in the hope of finding the
largest fish in the sea, the whale shark. Having
received confirmation from Sonok locals in the
region that whale sharks were in the area, the
team set off early in the morning to investigate.
After picking up five local expert ‘whale shark
spotters’ from Sonok, the Nudi Hunter ventured
further south. Sure enough, after 15 minutes or so
of searching, the first whale shark of the day was
spotted. Snorkelers swam in awe of the 5m
Whale shark no.1 glides past the view of Ben Jack (FBM)
creature for almost 30 minutes! Before the gentle
– Photo. Jamie Parker
giant descended slowly to the depths. A second
short encounter with another individual shortly after signalled the end to a truly amazing underwater
experience. While the second sighting was only brief, the day as a whole will no doubt live long in
the memory for all those involved.
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Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project
Philippines, December 2016
Survey Monthly Update
Survey background: Since January 2013, survey efforts have been focused on assessing potential
and existing Marine Protected Areas in Sogod Bay to provide appropriate management
recommendations. To do this CCC uses an expanded version of the Reef Check protocol, which
has been customised to perfectly fit our work in Sogod Bay. Prior to this a baseline appraisal of marine
resources in Sogod Bay was carried out. If you would like more information about our surveying
please contact our Project Scientist, Jamie Parker.
Following the surveying completion of the Bunga proposed MPA site early in December, the CCC
camp turned to end of the year boat duties. Over the Christmas period CCC members and some
helping hands from Barangay Napantao residents are tasked with transporting CCC’s ‘Nudi Hunter’
survey vessel onto to shore for maintenance. We hope that after a few minor fix ups and splash of
the paint the boat should be in peak condition and ready for a new survey voyage early next year
in Santa Rosario.
Scientific reports from all of CCC’s sites around the world are available on our website at
http://www.coralcay.org/science-research/scientific-reports
CCC’s survey vessel, ‘Nudi Hunter’, is slowly pulled onto the beach in Napantao – Photo. Janie Morton
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Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project
Philippines, December 2016
Marine Scholarship News
Each month CCC offers Filipino nationals who display an ambition to study and protect the vital
marine ecosystems of the Philippines an opportunity to take part in our Marine Conservation
Scholarship. The programme lasts for one month and involves training in SCUBA diving to the level of
PADI Advanced Open Water. Scholars then take part in an intensive Skills Development Programme
giving them the knowledge and expertise to conduct sub-marine surveys of the coastline.
This month we are welcoming back a previous CCC scholar, Jon Cabiles, who completed his
Divemaster internship here in Napantao. Jon is a freelance underwater photographer who wants
to shape a career in environmental photography and is currently undergoing his MSc in
Environmental Science.
If you would like to apply for the CCC Marine Conservation Scholarship programme or read more
about it, please visit: http://www.coralcay.org/volunteer/scholarship-opportunities/
The experience as a whole taught me a lot about the career I want
to pursue. Being with different people with different backgrounds
showed me that everyone can learn and have different roles in the
field of conservation.
I just want to thank CCC for allowing me to be part of their family
again. The presence of CCC in the Philippines has had a positive
impact on many peoples life especially mine. I would have never
thought of pursuing a career in the field of conservation if it were not
from my experience at CCC. To the future scholars, the CCC
experience is a journey and destination in itself. It can be tough at
times and exhausting but it will be all worth it.
Jon Cabiles
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Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project
Philippines, December 2016
Marine Creature of the Month!
Our creature of the month is the Great Barracuda (Sphyraena
barracuda), which was spotted in shallows surrounding Napantao reef
earlier this month.
These torpedo shaped predatory fish use a lie-in-wait/ambush
technique to capture prey which include a wide range of fish,
cephalopod and even crustacean species. Great barracuda are
capable of reaching speeds of 27mph and are equipped with razor
sharp, irregularly arranged teeth to grapple prey.
They are known scavengers and will often follow larger predators and
even divers expecting a meal. This has perhaps leant to the fishes’
fearsome and harmful reputation towards humans, however, very few
dangerous occurrences have been recorded. In the few rare cases
where a barracuda has attacked a human, more often than not it is
due to spearfishing activity or the barracuda’s attraction to shiny
jewelry, which can closely resemble shimmering fish scales.
Learn More!
To learn more about the CCC Philippines project, to join the expedition, or
to find out about local marine scholarships, visit www.coralcay.org