DENR DIVERS, MASBATE GOLD PROJECT SPEARHEAD REEF BALL REHAB, CORAL TRANSPLANTATION IN MASBATE

The divers conducted a barnacle removal in the reef balls and transplant of coral fragments. The Reef Balls provide shelter and serve as a breeding ground to the reef fishes thriving inside the locally established marine protected area.

OIC, PENR Officer Migo said that PENRO Masbate continues to intensify its conservation and management efforts on the MPAs within its jurisdiction in order to comprehensively manage, address and efficiently decrease the drivers and threats of destruction of the coastal and marine ecosystems.

Likewise, CENR Officer Imperial said that the coral transplantation and rehabilitation of Reef Balls aims to synchronize with the mandates and programs of DENR to effectively ensure the sustainable management of the country’s coastal and ocean resources.

“The DENR calls for greater commitment in protecting our MPAs, which serve as a critical foundation of biodiversity conservation, protection of endangered species and contribution to the health of the wider marine ecosystem”, she said.

Furthermore, CENRO Imperial stressed that while it is important to recognize the vital role that our MPAs play, it is essential that we also direct our focus on the many threats they face such as marine ecosystem loss and degradation due to negligent human actions.

The DENR Bicol under the leadership of OIC, Regional Executive Director Atty. Antonio A. Abawag is grateful for the partnership of its stakeholders and its initiative in environmental rehabilitation, conservation and protection programs.