Baltazar Island teems with marine species. Why?

Baltazar Island is right in the Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor and is home to new Sawshark species and underwater caves.

Diving at Baltazar Island

Being in the periphery of the Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor that teems with concentrations of marine biodiversity, there are a lot of unexplored sections of coral reefs, steep walls and underwater caves and canyons, Marinduque is among the top scuba dive destinations in the country. Here lies Baltazar Island, one of the famous Tres Reyes Islands.

 The entire Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor, a busy sea lane, covers portions of the coastal waters of Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque and Romblon. This site has been dubbed by the scientists as "the world’s blue water version of the Amazon River basin."

A published Conservation International (CI) report stressed its importance to marine conservation because habitat threats in the Philippines could result in mass extinctions of species similar to what is occurring in the Amazon River Basin. "The Philippines can therefore be considered as the marine counterpart of this famous terrestrial center of biodiversity", the report stated.

CI said the Passage “has arguably the highest concentration of marine species of any region in the world’s oceans, including whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) and giant clams (Tridacna gigas).”

Specimen of Sawshark, Pristophorus lanae caught northwest of Baltazar Island

Catholic Church joins lobby to protect Verde Island Passage

Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles urges the national government to declara a huge portion of the Verde Island Passage a protected area. (Photo. CBCPNews)

MANILA, July 23, 2015— An alliance of church people and environmentalists urged President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday to establish a vast conservation area in the “center of the center” of the world’s marine biodiversity .

The Coalition for the Preservation of the Verde Island Passage proposes the creation of protected areas “to secure the safety of this paradise.”

It said the declaration will protect the sea waters and towns facing the straight which occupies more than 1.14 million hectares between the provinces of Batangas, Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, and Romblon.

More harm than good

The appeal was made amid plans for a gold mining operation and a coal-fired power plant in Lobo, Batangas.

Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles said the projects would bring more damage than benefits to the people.

“We want not just a moratorium but a total ban on mining and coal-fired power plant projects in the whole province,” he said in a press conference at a hotel in Quezon City.

He said the campaign has nothing to do with local politics “but for the survival of our race.”

The group asked the government for the revocation and cancellation of all approved mineral production sharing agreements granted in Lobo for mining and eventually, ceasing the issuance of environmental compliance certificates to similar entities.

It also called on the tourism department to declare the Verde Island Passage and the coastal areas of Lobo as tourism zones.

“They have to think [about] the welfare of the people,” said Arguelles. “They want progress, but actually it’s just for some interests and not for the common good.”

The coalition is supported by more than 10,000 signatures of people who are also against mining and coal operations, and an online petition signed by around 9,000 people.

No to mining, no to coal plants

“We are mobilizing a massive force that will stand up against the raping of the environment because the Verde Island Passage has impact on the global ecology,” he added.

Lobo officials on Monday have all but killed off the plan for the Php 640 million gold mining project in the face of overwhelming popular opposition and fears about the province’s environment.

The town council has cancelled its earlier resolution endorsing an MPSA, which is a step closer towards approval of a mining application, amid criticisms of lack of proper consultation.

Fr. Dakila Ramons, head of Lipa’s archdiocesan ministry on environment, said it was clearly a “betrayal to the people of Lobo.”

Aside from gold mining, the coalition is also opposing the plan to put up a 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant project in Lobo.

“These kind of projects will not bring any good to the people, especially to the poor,” Arguelles said.

A team of US marine conservationist in 2006 declared that the Philippines is the center of marine biodiversity in the world and dubbed Verde Island Passages the “center of the center” of marine shore fish biodiversity.(Roy Lagarde/CBCPNews)

Rare and new species discovered in Verde Island Passage

12 'rare and new' species discovered in Verde Island Passage

Meet spectacular sea slugs, sea urchins, and starfish that further affirm the Philippines' reputation as a hotspot for marine biodiversity

Pia Ranada, Rappler

Jun 12, 2015

TREASURES. Multi-colored tunicates lend a festive vibe in the Verde Island Passage. Image courtesy Gary Williams/California Academy of Sciences

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines now has more than 100 new species of marine life to boast of.

A recent expedition in the Verde Island Passage (VIP) led by the California Academy of Sciences yielded "rare and new" species, affirming Philippine seas as a hotspot for marine biodiversity.

Among the country's newly-discovered aquatic residents are flamboyant sea slugs, delicate comb jelly, and flat worms in flashy colors.

Dr Terry Gosliner, head of the expedition, says his favorite find is a new sea slug of the Halgerda genus.

"I have been studying this group for many years and finding another new species in this group was a real surprise," he told Rappler.

Academy researchers will study the newly-found species in the coming months using DNA sequencing and other technology.

The Verde Island Passage is tagged as the "center of the center of marine biodiversity" and is part of the Coral Triangle – an area which covers only 2% of the world's oceans yet hosts 76% of the world's coral species.

Here are some beautiful creatures discovered during the expedition with short descriptions from Gosliner: Read full story with more photos on Rappler

Thorunna species

This bright purple nudibranch (sea slug) with an orange margin has intense colors to warn predators that it is toxic.

Stilger species

This sap-sucking sea slug was found on green algae in shallow reefs off Verde Island.

Neoferdina species

This spectacular new starfish was found below 100 meters off of Verde Island.

Get real fellas! Protect the Verde Island Passage

Protect the Verde Island Passage

'Developments in Batangas are presenting an even worse threat to the lush but fragile ecosystems of the Verde Island Passage'

The 1.14 million-hectare Verde Island Passage (VIP) Corridor – a sea expanse between the littoral provinces of Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, and Romblon – is widely acclaimed as the global "center of the center of marine biodiversity" for hosting the greatest number of shorefish species in the world.

A 2004 study documented a staggering 1,736 marine species, including many globally threatened ones, in just a small section of the area.

PROTECT. Environmental advocates investigating coal’s potential risks in Batangas city. Photo by Leon Dulce/Kalikasan PNE

Dr Richard Mooi couldn’t have described the passage any better: “The Verde Island Passage is living up to its reputation: the ocean vibrates with the cycle of living things inhabiting every nook and cranny.”

Mt. Lobo, one of the top biodiversity areas in the country, is part of the complex ecosystem that sustains the Verde Island Passage. Photo by Clemente Bautista/Kalikasan PNE

Its abundant marine ecosystems make the passage a highly productive fisheries area, and a choice dive spot that drives tourism in surrounding provinces. This underscores the VIP’s importance not only for scientific research, but especially for its direct sustenance to hundreds of thousands of Filipinos whose livelihoods rely on the corridor’s productivity and integrity.

Reports of adverse environmental impacts in the country’s richest marine sanctuary are nothing new. Maritime traffic and coastal industrial plants in the VIP have already been identified as major contributors to pollution in the passage. Developments in Batangas, however, are presenting an even worse threat to the lush but fragile ecosystems of the VIP.

Large scale mining in Lobo

In the adjoining municipality of Lobo, Australian-Canadian large-scale miner MRL Gold, through its subsidiary Egerton Gold Philippines Inc, has been aggressively railroading its operations towards the extraction phase. Covering around 29,000 hectares of mountainous lands, Egerton has been exploring for gold and copper deposits in the agricultural and tourism town.

An environmental investigative mission in 2009 conducted by the Center for Environmental Concerns noted the presence of pyrite in the drill areas of MRL Gold, indicating the possibility hazardous acid mine drainage. Once commercial operations start, chemicals used in processing the minerals, such as mercury and lead, can also leach into the town’s water resources.

Egerton’s project area is situated in steep, mountainous areas just one or two kilometers away from the coastline. Aside from its proximity to the VIP, Lobo itself is the top-fifth of the 18 biodiversity centers in the country, with 4 marine conservation areas, a large number of terrestrial flora and fauna, and a diverse range of habitats.

Flashpoint struggles

These urgent issues are flashpoint struggles that must be raised into a national fight to save the Verde Island Passage. It is imperative to address the national policies and programs perpetuated by the current administration of President Noynoy Aquino that promote this anti-people and anti-environment mode of industrial "development" in the first place. - By Leon Dulce. Read more on Rappler

Say No to Mining in Lobo and Save Verde Island Passage

Say NO to mining in Lobo, Batangas. Save Verde Island Passage, center of the world's Marine Bio-diversity.

Tablas Strait that runs between Marinduque and Mindoro is part of the Verde Island Marine Biodiversity Corridor. The seas around these island-provinces can no longer serve as the ultimate sink for toxic wastes from protected mining companies that have enslaved our people for more than 40 years.

On May 21, Egerton Gold Philippines, Inc. submitted plans to mine for gold in approximately 263 square hectares of land in Lobo, Batangas, which will encompass most of the barangays near the coastlines of Verde Island passage. 

263 hectares would be equivalent to excavating the size of two Bonifacio Global Cities in Lobo. Based on the proposal submitted by Egerton Gold Philippines, Inc., not only would the local communities be uprooted from their homes, but even local flora and fauna would be affected by the mining activity.

Sadly, the Lobo, Batangas local government and the Philippine DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) are seriously considering approving this project, despite knowing the enormous impact it will have on one of the world's treasures in marine life.

We ask you to join us in this fight against the ruin and exploitation of one of our country's last remaining marine and wildlife sanctuaries. Please sign this petition to let the Philippine government know that people care about the environment, and that the preservation of our marine wildlife is more important than the corporate interests of mining companies. Please share with like-minded people who are also interested in protecting this precious resource.

Sign the petition started by Gerard Navarro on Change.org here. No to mining in Lobo, Batangas and save the Verde Island Passage!

From the Coral Triangle to Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor where largest concentration of marine life exists

People of the Coral Triangle // James Morgan // 1080p from James Morgan on Vimeo.

From the Coral Triangle to its peak, the Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor where lies Marinduque 
(Original post on this blog, Jan. 9, 2013)

Verde Island Marine Corridor covers portions of the coastal waters of Batangas,
Occ. Mindro, Or, Mindoro, Marinduque and Romblon.

The Coral Triangle is known as the world’s center of marine biodiversity. The boundaries of this region are defined by scientists as covering the economic zones of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste. A multilateral partnership called the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) was established. 

This initiative safeguards the region’s rich marine and coastal resources through protection from overfishing, destructive fishing practices, unsustainable coastal development, pollution and impacts of climate change. On the other hand, at the heart of the Coral Triangle, the center of the highest concentration of marine biodiversity in the world is an area accounting for 50 percent of the world's coral species. 

Within this center of the highest concentratiion of marine biodiversity is the largest concentration of marine life with a recorded 1,736 overlapping marine species in a 10 by 10 kilometer marine habitat. This is situated within the Verde Island Passage between Batangas and Mindoro, northwest of Marinduque. The Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor covers portions of the coastal waters of Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, MARINDUQUE and Romblon.

Underwater scene at Congressman's Canyon in Torrijos.
(Cong. Lord Allan Velasco in photo)

San Andres Island and Silangan White Sands

 

You could actually swim from this blinding white sand beach in Silangan to the uninhabited island of San Andres nearby while watching the rich marine life below. The translucent water is made clearer by the white sand beneath.

Silangan is still a secluded area, you have to take a boat from Argao to get there.
The original settlers were a few fishermen from the Visayas who discovered the surprising abundance of fish in the area and decided to stay on to raise families.

There are numerous rock shelters on the northern side of this island that is devoid of human presence.

Google shot of San Andres Island and Silangan.

Cong's Canyon in Torrijos

Congressman Lord Allan Velasco has been a scuba diving enthusiast for many years. He also finds time to take other divers to one of his favorite diving spots in Torrijos (in photo). This area simply teems with marine life, local divers now jokingly refer to it as "Cong's Canyon". Here, divers from Torrijos lend a hand to other scuba divers by providing surface support with inflatables and kayaks.

Volcanic rocks such as these dot the shores in many parts of Torrijos' coastal areas. Some of them are large enough for use as diving platforms.

Velasco prepares to dive.

The Malindig volcano stands tall and elegant and provides a scenic view of  Torrijos, Marinduque.

Monstrous whales and sharks in Torrijos!

Beached or caught in the waters of Torrijos? This shark (or is it a butanding, whale shark, or another balyena, really?), is said to have been caught by local fishermen in the open sea off Torrijos in 1979 and brought ashore.

In the 80s, this balyena, whale was then caught in the same waters and brought ashore in Cagpo.

Above photos of shark and whale courtesy of Junmel Tan of Torrijos.

In 1994 the Archaeology Division of the National Museum received a report from a certain Porferio de Guzman of Brgy. Buangan, Torrijos regarding a sperm whale stripped of its flesh, cleaned and kept by Mr. Luciano Matienzo.
The complete set of the whale skeleton measures 43.5 ft. long and was identified by the Museum as belonging to a  male sperm whale, a highly specially toothed whale of the species Physeter macrocephalus.

The whale skeleton was purchased by the Museum after further verification for a negotiated price. The whale skeleton is now housed at the NM Building as rare osteological material.

Above photo shows similar skeleton of a sperm whale beached in Silago, Southern Leyte in 2000 that measured 52 feet in length. The said skeleton is now housed in a temporary shelter for Southern Leyte tourists to see. A permanent edifice with glass casing will soon be constructed to house the sperm whale's reconstructed bones. 

Sperm whale at sea.


Also enjoy: Sperm Whale Encounter 

Real underwater Marinduque treasures

Speaking of finding treasures underwater, Marinduque will not run out of such areas to explore. One of them, quite easy to reach is right along the coast of Torrijos town where a series of ridges and underwater crevices reveal impressive marine life as shown here.

Remember that this area of Marinduque is still within the outskirts of the Verde Island Passage marine biodiversity corridor (declared the center of the center of the center of marine shorefish biodiversity, remember?), which covers the stretch of water surrounding the provinces of Batangas, Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque and Romblon.

Yes indeed, More Fun in Marinduque!

Photos courtesy of Gabriel Dela Pena.

Dicaprio's Global Warning

The previous post conveyed serious concerns expressed by scientists meeting in Washington D.C. on the effects of climate change and over-exploitation of resources to the wealth of marine biodiversity particularly within the Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor covering the strait between Marinduque and Mindoro and the pass between Mindoro and Batangas.

With this in mind, a global warning expressed by Leonardo Dicaprio in a shortfilm he created and narrated is posted here for all its worth. Glaring concerns similarly expressed by environmental organizations on the degradation of Marinduque's environment during the last decade and related current issues are touched by Dicaprio's video, like the video was especially created for this region.

Marinduque Within Center of the Center of the Center of World's Marine Biodiversity

The center of the highest concentration of marine biodiversity in the world is an area of 900,000 square kilometers, the heart of the coral triangle in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, accounting for 50 percent of the world’s coral species. This is known as the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape.

In 2004 American marine biologist Dr. Kent Carpenter, global marine species assessment coordinator of the World Conservation Union and fellow researcher Dr. Victor Springer, curator emeritus of the Smithsonian Institution discovered that the center of the center of marine shore fish biodiversity in the world was the Philippines and not Indonesia.

Amost 3,000 maps showing the distribution of marine species from all over the world were analyzed, and it was found that the highest percentage (2.5) of biological diversity was found in the Philippines.

The central Philippine archipelago which includes the Tubattaha Reef, a UNESCO world heritage site, was thus identified as the center of the center of marine biodiversity.

Within this center of marine biodiversity, the largest concentration of marine life in the world with a recorded 1,736 overlapping marine species in a 10 by 10 kilometer marine habitat was identified within the Verde Island Passage between Batangas and Mindoro. The entire Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor, a busy sea lane, covers portions of the coastal waters of Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque and Romblon.

Conservation efforts and management plan

In 2004, First Gen in partnership with First Philippine Conservation, Inc. (FPCI), Conservation International-Philippines (CI-P) and the local government of Batangas City formulated and implemented a conservation and development program for the two marine protected areas of Batangas City located in Verde Island.

Much of the conservation efforts are at present centered on Batangas due to serious problems such as mangrove area conversion and marine pollution. USD1-million was committed by First Gen that would be used by FPCI and CI-P to ensure that conservation work in the passage is implemented and sustained in partnership with the local community stakeholders. By 2007, the project has expanded to cover marine protected areas in the island municipality of Tingloy, Batangas and the Apo Reef Natural Park (ARNP).

In 2006, the ‘Center of the Center’ campaign was launched by the project partners together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to raise public awareness on the Verde Island Passage and the impending need for concerted action. .

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo then responded by convening a national conference on biodiversity. During that conference held on November 8, 2006, she signed Executive Order 578 ordering, among others, the creation of a multi-agency task force on Verde Island Passage with specific mandate of formulating an integrated management plan for the passage.

Call for Action from Scientists

In August 2009, a gathering of scientists was organized by Conservation International (CI) and held in Washington, D.C. During the meeting, the scientists collectively called for immediate action from the global community to protect the hugely important site. This site has been dubbed by the scientists as "the world’s blue water version of the Amazon River basin."

The CI report stressed its importance to marine conservation because habitat threats in the Philippines could result in mass extinctions of species similar to what is occurring in the Amazon River Basin. "The Philippines can therefore be considered as the marine counterpart of this famous terrestrial center of biodiversity", the report stated.

CI said the Passage “has arguably the highest concentration of marine species of any region in the world’s oceans, including whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) and giant clams (Tridacna gigas).”

The scientists said climate change, along with over-exploitation of resources, is threatening the marine habitats. “The marine habitats and species of the Verde Island Passage are already threatened by human impacts, like overfishing, pollution and coastal infrastructure development. Climate change is intensifying these impacts, with severe consequences for the well-being of the people of the area,” said Dr. Giuseppe Di Carlo, CI marine climate change manager.

Photos courtesy of Sammy Ang.