DURHAM UNIVERSITY CORAL AWARENESS AND RESEARCH

EXPEDITION 2008

Durham University Coral Awareness and Research Expedition (DUCARE)

Endorsed by

What is DUCARE? 5-year partnership with CDF! (2004–2008) Carry out reef check surveys in four areas

of the Visayas – including Mactan! This helps determine the level of threat to the coral reef in your area.

Raise Filipino awareness of the marine environment by presenting our findings to important people (you!). The Philippines is heavily dependant on the seas for food and other resources.

Educate schoolchildren on the importance of respecting their coral reef, helping them appreciate the dangers of dynamite fishing, cyanide fishing, hunting endangered species and other human impacts.

DUCARE 2008 Aims Provide high-quality data on the

health of the marine environment in your area.

Assist in the development of Coastal Resource Management policies that prepare regions with a sustainable usage plan.

Provide equipment for and assistance to new and existing sanctuaries.

By surveying local communities, determine how effective the message of protection and preservation of the sea has been.

Kristofer Chan: Team Scientist

Jessica Batchelor: Medical Officer

Rose Janes: Grant Officer

Robert Parson: Logistics Officer

Florence Brockway: Education Officer

David Murphy: Team Leader

Charlotte Jones: Treasurer

Rupert Carter: Fundraiser

Juilitta Sofat: Fundraiser

Tom Bohills: Grant Officer

Meet the team….

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Over 600 MPA’s in the Philippines But less than 10% are managed efficiently

Gilutongan MPA: Estimated "Investment" Costs and "Return on Investment" based on User Fees of PhP 50 for Foreigners and PhP 25 for Filipinos (Note:

Does not include income of vendor's cooperative which may equal user fee income)

-20,000

-10,000

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Esti

mate

d V

alu

e -

US

$ /

Year

Estimated "Investment" Costs to Establish Functional MPA Estimated MPA Enforcement & Operational Costs

Gilutongan MPA User Fee Gross Revenues Gilutongan MPA Net "Return of Investment" from User Fees

Gilutongan MPA Net "Return of Investment" from User Fees

Estimated "Return on Investment" based only on

MPA User Fees:

+ US$100,000 in 7 years

Reef check Started 1997• Largest international coral reef monitoring

program involving recreational divers and marine scientists

• Aims:• Overview of human impacts on coral reefs• long-term monitoring

Over 1500 trained volunteer divers are led by 160 scientists in surveys of 250 reefs

Result compiled by comparing fish and invertebrate species and substrate types which are indicators of the health of the reef

Reef Check Methodology

Site selection Site description Transect laying Fish survey belt Invertebrate survey belt Substrate survey (point sampling)

Transect

Fish Indicator species

Invertebrate indicator species

Substrate categories

Reef Check Results

Total Number of Reef Check Indicator Fish Species found in Shangrila MPA Comparing 2006 and 2007

0

20

40

60

80

100

Indicator Fish Species

To

tal N

um

ber

of

Fis

h p

er 8

00m

2

2006

2007

Total Number of Reef Check Indicator Invertebrate Species found in Shangri-la MPA (2006 and 2007)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Bandedcoral

shrimp

Diademaurchin

Pencilurchin

Collectorurchin

Seacucumber

Crown-of-thorns

Triton Lobster Giant Clam

Indicator Invertebrate Species

To

tal N

um

ber

of

Inve

rts

per

80

0m2

2006

2007

Mean Percentage Cover of Shallow Bottom Composition

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Hard Coral Soft Coral Nutrient

Indicator

Algae

Sponge Others Recently

Killed Coral

Rock Rubble Sand Silt

Substrate

Per

cen

tag

e C

ove

r (%

)

2006

2007

Mean Percentage Cover of Deep Bottom Composition

05

101520253035404550

Hard Coral Soft Coral Nutrient

Indicator

Algae

Sponge Others Recently

Killed Coral

Rock Rubble Sand Silt

Substrate

Per

cen

tag

e C

ove

r (%

)

2006

2007