Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
45: 161
2008, University of San Carlos
REVIEW ARTICLE
ABSTRACT
The marine biodiversity of the four seas in southern
Philippines, namely, the Moro Gulf, the Davao Gulf, the
Sarangani Bay, and the Sulawesi Sea, was reviewed. The
biodiversity in the shallow marine waters is similar to those in
other parts of the country. The biodiversity is also in a similar
conservation status, that is, in various degrees of depletion.
But it is possible that there are marine species that are unique
to these seas. This is especially true of the Sulawesi Sea,
which is characterized by great variation in terms of habitat
and depth. The importance of the resources in the four seas
lies in the contributions of some species, such as tuna fishes,
to the livelihoods of coastal populations in the area.
INTRODUCTION
Some research and development projects on marine biodiversity
and fisheries have been conducted in the marine waters of southern
Philippines. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) 2006 list of projects includes 11 coastal and marine resource
management projects dealing partly with marine biodiversity in the
shallow seas of southern Mindanao. Among the institutions and agencies
involved in marine biodiversity studies in the area are the Southern
Philippines Agribusiness, Marine and Aquatic School of Technology
(SPAMAST) in Malita, Davao del Sur, the Davao del Norte State
College (DNSC) in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, the University of the
Philippines in the Visayas (Miagao, Iloilo), and the Mindanao State
University (Naawan campus). The development projects of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Bureau of
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, usually in partnership with
international funding institutions, typically included research on fisheries
and biodiversity. The research findings of these aforementioned
institutions have been brought together in the present paper in an attempt
to construct a biodiversity profile of the whole area that can serve various
purposes such as establishment of marine protected areas. In the course
of this review, some gaps and deficiencies in our current knowledge on
the biodiversity of the area have been identified and discussed.
The socioeconomic importance of the southern Philippine seas
lies in the fact that more than 10 million people now live in the four
regions (Western Mindanao, Southern Mindanao, Central Mindanao, and
ARMM) in the vicinity of the four seas, namely, the Davao Gulf, the
Moro Gulf (including Illana Bay), the Sarangani Bay (including
Sarangani Islands), and the Sulawesi Sea. This population figure comes
from the National Statistics Office in 2002, and a substantial proportion
is probably directly and economically dependent on marine and coastal
resources of these seas. The four seas are known for their economic
importance (see Fisheries Statistics 20032005). Davao Gulf is a wellknown international shipping center. Samal Island in Davao Gulf is
known for pearl culture and tourism. Moro Gulf is well known for its
fisheries. Sarangani Bay, the home of the skipjack tuna, has become a
center for aquaculture for milkfish and top predatory fish species. The
Sulawesi Sea serves as a highway for movements of the tuna species and
other fish species, marine turtles, and cetaceans, among others.
Brief Description of the Study Seas
This review is focused on four seas: the Moro Gulf and the
Illana Bay as part of the Gulf (enclosed by the Zamboanga Peninsula, the
Lanao provinces, Maguindanao province and Sultan Kudarat province),
the Davao Gulf (enclosed by the Davao provinces and Compostela
Valley province), and Sarangani Bay (enclosed by Sarangani and South
Cotabato provinces). The Sarangani Strait separates the Sarangani and
Balut Islands at the southern tip of Sarangani and Davao del Sur
Figure 1. Map of the Sulawesi Sea. Isobath in meters. (Modified from: NASA
Blue Marble, Bathymetry: US Defense Agency)
Moro Gulf
The Moro Gulf is a deep body of water with an area of about
22,000 km2. About 40% of it is deeper than 2,000 m. Its deepest part near
its eastern portion is about 5,000 m. The western part of the Gulf is
shallow, less than 200 m deep, with extensive mangroves and coral reefs
(Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay provinces) (Fig. 2). Within
the Gulf is the Illana Bay.
Illana Bay
Figure 2. Map of Moro Gulf. Isobath in meters. (Modified from: NASA Blue
Marble, Bathymetry: US Defense Agency)
Davao Gulf
Davao Gulf is about 7,300 km2 in area (Fig. 3). It is a fairly deep
body of water. The southern half is about 1,800 m deep. The deepest part
is near the mouth at 2,800 m. Only a thin strip near the shoreline is
shallow, with a depth of less than 100 m, where mangroves, seagrasses,
and coral reefs may still exist. Inside the bay is Samal Island, a
conservation and tourism island and site of giant clam (Tridacna gigas)
introduction by the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute
and the Davao del Norte State College. A small, privately-owned island
with coral reef and mangrove in the northern part of the gulf belonging to
the province of Compostela Valley is also a conservation island. The
DENR has established a marine protected area mostly of seagrass beds
along the shore of Davao Gulf in this province.
Figure 3. Map of Davao Gulf and Sarangani Bay. Isobath in meters. (Modified
from: NASA Blue Marble, Bathymetry: US Defense Agency)
Aquatic Resources (BFAR), was caused by the high sulfur content of the
water (A. Ong, pers comm). Beyond the 183 m isobath are deeper waters
ranging from 200 m to 1,946 m in depth. Sarangani Islands are well
known for rare shells. Although over-fished in terms of the major tuna
species, the Sarangani Bay and Sarangani Strait are still relatively rich in
pelagic fish species and are favorite areas for sport and recreational
fishing (A. Ong, pers comm).
The Sulawesi Sea: Topography and Oceanography
The Sulawesi Sea is a large marine ecosystem (LME) with
variable depths and varied bottom topography that partly explain its
complex oceanography (Tomascik et al. 1997). The Sulawesi Sea alone
is about 450,000 km2 in area. The total area of the Sulawesi Sea and the
Sulu Sea plus the Visayan inland seas (= Sulu-Sulawesi Sea Ecoregion of
WWF [Ingles & Trono 2004]), is about 900,000 km2. The Sulawesi Sea
lies at the center of the worlds highest marine biodiversity area
(DeVantier et al. 2004). The Sulawesi Sea, with which the southern
Philippine seas are continuous, varies in depth, reaching 4,000 to 5,780
m in the Sarangani Strait southwest of the Sarangani Islands and 1,000 to
4,200 m towards the southeast (Fig. 4). This highlights the importance of
the mesopelagic and bathypelagic realms suspected of favoring
speciation of certain marine species in this tropical sea (Madin 2008).
The North Equatorial Current influences the direction of surface
currents in the three Philippine seas and the Sulawesi Sea (Wyrtki 1961,
Villanoy 1988, Villanoy & Udarbe 1995) (Fig. 5). This current moves
westward. Upon reaching the sea area between northern Samar and
Catanduanes (Zheng et al. 2006), it splits into the Kuroshio or Japan
Current heading north and the Mindanao Current flowing south. During
the southwest monsoon months (June to November), the Mindanao
Current spits into two in the Sulawesi Sea, one stream proceeding south
and another stream flowing counterclockwise as the Equatorial
Countercurrent. During the northeast monsoon months (November to
May), the Mindanao Current flows south and southeastward and
proceeds counterclockwise as the Equatorial Countercurrent; and a small
component flows counterclockwise in the eastern portion of the Sulawesi
Sea and Moro Gulf.
The Mindanao Current joins with the current from the South
China to form the Indonesian Throughflow (Zheng et al. 2006) moving
Figure 4. The Islands in the Sulawesi Sea. Isobath in meters. (Modified from:
NASA Blue Marble, Bathymetry: US Defense Agency)
south via the Makassar Strait east of Kalimantan and allowing marine
propagules and migratory marine species from the Pacific Ocean, the
South China Sea and the Sulu Sea to reach the Indian Ocean (see
discussion on whales and dolphins).
The nature of the deep-water circulation in the four seas is not
clearly understood. But it is clear that the deep-sea currents are complex
partly because of the varied topography of the sea bottom.
The seawater quality of the Davao Gulf and the Sarangani Bay
as well as nearby areas has been assessed to be Marginal (barely
acceptable) for Sarangani Bay and General Santos, Satisfactory for the
western part of Davao Gulf but Unsatisfactory for Davao City and
Figure 5. (A) Surface current patterns in the Philippines and adjacent waters
during northeast and southwest monsoon (source: Villanoy & Udarbe 1995); (B)
Surface currents in December in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. (Source: Wyrtki
1961)
11
SPECIES
Potamogetonaceae
Halodule
uninervis
Halodule
pinifolia
ParilSangay
Cymodocea
serrulata
Bongo
Is.
Sarangani
Bay
Davao
Gulf*
Malalag
Bay
Cymodocea
rotundata
Syringodium
isoetifolium
Thalassodendron
ciliatun
Hydrocharitaceae
Enhalus
acoroides
Thalassia
hemprichii
Halophila ovalis
X
X
X
X
10
10
Halophila
spinulosa
Total
13
FAMILY
SPECIES
Rhizophoraceae
Rhizophora
mucronata
Rhizophora
apiculata
Ceriops
decandra
Ceriops tagal
Avicenniaceae
Sonneratiaceae
Combretaceae
Myrsinaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Fabaceae
Lythraceae
Bruguiera
parviflora
Bruguiera
cylindrica
Bruguiera
sexangula
Avicennia
marina
Avicennia
alba
Avicennia
lanata
Avicennia
officinalis
Sonneratia
alba
Sonneratia
caseolaris
Terminalia
catappa
Lumnitzera
littorea
Lumnitzera
racemosa
Aegiceras
floridum
Aegiceras
corniculatum
Excoecaria
agallocha
Pongamia
pinnata
Prosopis
vidaliana
Pemphis
acidula
ParilSangay
Bongo
Is.
Sarangani
Bay
Davao
Gulf*
Malalag
Bay
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Table 2. continued.
SPECIES
ParilSangay
Bongo
Is.
Palmae
Nypa fruticans
Acanthaceae
Acanthus
ilicifolius
Dolichandrone
spathacea
Xylocarpus
granatum
Xylocarpus
moluccensis
Xylocarpus sp.
FAMILY
Bignoniaceae
Melaiceae
TOTAL 12
28
Sarangani
Bay
Davao
Gulf*
Malalag
Bay
X
X
X
X
X
17
10
16
15
Figure 8. (A) Seagrass species richness, (B) Mangrove species richness, and (C)
Live coral cover (%) in southern Mindanao. Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao
sites are MPAs. (Sources: MRDP-CMBC Annual Impact Assessment 2005;
Mindanao State University-Naawan 1995; Calumpong et al. 1997a; Calumpong
et al. 1997b) Figure in parenthesis after site indicates number of stations
surveyed. Year indicates time of survey.
17
19
Figure 11. Southern Mindanao target fish biomass by locality compared with
those in Bohol Sea and South China Sea. Figure in parenthesis indicates number
of stations. Year indicates time of survey. (Sources: MRDP-CMBC Annual
Impact Assessment 2005; Mindanao State University-Naawan, 1995;
Calumpong et al. 1997a; Calumpong et al.1997b)
Figure 13. Mean holothurian density at the two MPAs in Maguindanao and
Sultan Kudarat in 20032005. TZ - take (fishing) zones; NTZ - No Take Zones.
(Source: MRDP-CMBC 2003 Baseline Survey Report)
Figure 14. Density of two common species of Tridacna in the two MPAs in
Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat in 20032005. TZ - take (fishing) zones; NTZ
- no take zones. (Source: MRDP-CMBC 2003 Baseline Survey Report)
21
in the form of canned products. Rasalan (1977) and Montilla & Bunag
(1957) mention the blue bonito (Euthynnus yaito) as a commercial tuna
species. Aside from the tuna species, non-tuna species caught off
southern Mindanao include blue marlin (Makaira mazara), sailfish
(Istiophorus platypterus), black marlin (Makaira indica), and swordfish
(Langley et al. 2004). The southern Philippine seas appear to have the
largest number and volume of large fishery species in the country.
The tuna species for export are the yellowfin and bigeye, for
canneries the skipjack, and for the local market the frigate, bullet and the
eastern little tuna. Major importers of chilled fresh tuna in 2002 were
Japan, USA, and Hongkong, and Canada, Germany, and Singapore for
canned tuna (Langley et al. 2004).
Tuna handline boats numbered ca 10,000 in 2002, but licenses
issued were less. General Santos had 2,000 vessels for handliners. Ring
net fleet in General Santos was about 500 vessels; about 41 (in Davao)
and 40 (in General Santos) were purse seiners.
Tuna Migrations. Movements to and from the Philippines of
tagged yellowfins, skipjacks, and bigeyes through the Sulawesi and other
seas in the Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea and other islands in the
western Pacific have been summarized in maps in the WWF Philippines
biophysical assessment (2003). These maps are reproduced in this report
(Figs. 1518). The impression is that tuna highways exist in these seas.
Comparison of Present and Past Fisheries. A reliable observer
(A. Ong) who has had wide and long experience on tuna fishing recalls
that tuna fishing was a year-round activity in the area in the 1970s1980s
when tuna species were abundant in Sarangani Bay and environs. At
those times yellow fin tuna and skipjack were the common commercial
fishes in the area. The skipjack trapped in fish corrals was easily caught
by hand. In Sarangani Bay, it was not unusual to catch 80 tons of
skipjack in one day in the 1980s. This fish at those times grew to large
sizes, 1015 kg, in contrast to their rarity and small size (1 kg) these days
(A. Ong, pers comm).
The yellow fin tuna has been over-fished in the seas of southern
Philippines and the adjacent Sulawesi Sea. Tuna long-liners and handliners now fish far out into the Indonesian Sulawesi reaching the
Halmahera and Taliabu Islands to as far as New Guinea in order to catch
sufficient fish volume for the export market estimated at US$33M per
year for the 3,000 hand-liners and US$50-60M for long-liners and other
gears catching yellow fins and other species (R. Lim, pers comm).
23
Movements of tuna released in the Philippines and recaptured Movements of tuna recaptured in the Philippines from
outside Philippine waters (Shipjack solid lines, yellowfin releases outside Philippine waters (Shipjack solid lines,
dashed lines, PRIMEX-SPC, 1993)
yellowfin dashed lines, PRIMEX-SPC, 1993)
Figure 15. Movement of Skipjack and Yellowfin Tuna to and from the
Philippines (Source: WWF-Philippines 2003)
25
The fishery yields for five groups of fish in Davao Gulf and
Moro Gulf caught by various gears in 1982 are shown in Fig. 19. Davao
Gulf has greater fishery production (0.11.0 ton/km2) compared with
Moro Gulf (0.10.2 ton/km2). These figures indicate a higher fishery
productivity for Davao Gulf.
Figure 19. Yields of pelagic fish species in Davao and Moro Gulfs in 1983.
(Source: Yesaki 1982)
27
Tursiops truncatus
2.
Stenella attenuata
3.
Stenella longirostris
4.
5.
Orcaella brevirostris
6.
Stenella l. roseiventris
7.
Tursiops sp.
8.
Pseudorca crassidens
9.
Peponocephala electra
In the Sulawesi Sea, our informant reported that tuna fishers are
heavily penalized if caught capturing whales and dolphins. A
certification process is in effect which denies access of tuna products to
tuna exporters violating the ban on these endangered species (A. Ong,
pers comm).
Dugong
The dugong is definitely present in the southern part of the
Davao Gulf. Several sightings have been made by R. Lucero and
colleagues off New Argao, Malita, Davao del Sur in 2005 (R. Lucero,
pers comm). This endangered mammal was observed to swim singly or
as a group of three individuals, including a calf. Apparently, these
animals were used to the presence of boats about 50 m away. The
animals probably fed in the area where three species of seagrass used as
food occur. The population size is not known but it is most likely very
small. Reports indicate the presence of dugongs in the Sarangani group
of islands, where seagrass beds are present. The third site with confirmed
dugong (two adult individuals) is the Paril-Sangay area in Sultan
Kudarat, part of the Moro Gulf, in 2005 (MRDP-CMBC Annual Impact
29
Figure 20. Route of leatherback turtle from New Guinea to Davao Gulf. (Source:
Dermawan 2004)
31
Figure 21. Movements of green sea turtles tagged in the Turtle Islands, Sulu Sea.
(Source: Sagun 2004)
33
35
Cypraea herasei
Conus thomae
Conus cervus
Figure 23. Three species of rare shells found in Balut Island, Sarangani Province
(Sources:
www.shellauction.net,
www.shellhorizons.com,
www.schnrspecimen-shells.com)
37
Offshore MPAs
Thus far, only few shallow-water MPAs have been established in
the study area. The way to move forward is not only to establish more
shallow-water MPAs but also to establish MPA in areas with deeper
waters. Sulawesi Sea, because of its large area, appears to offer
opportunities in this direction, as MPAs can be an effective means to
conserve large migratory fish stocks (e.g., tuna) as well as other globally
important biodiversity. The only example of deep-water (high seas) MPA
is the Ligurian Sea Cetacean Sanctuary in the Mediterranean
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ligurian Sea Cetacean Sanctuary). A major
constraint is getting regional and international agreements for
management. Areas near island groups between the Philippines and
Indonesia (Fig. 4) are ideal for establishing deep-water or high seas
MPAs. There already exist international and regional management
frameworks for such MPAs such as the United Nations Law of the Sea
Convention, the Convention on Biological Diversity, International
Maritime Organization and Regional Management Organizations, and
Fish Stock Agreements.
MPAs and Tourism
MPAs have been shown to be effective as tools for fishery
management and conservation of biodiversity (e.g., Alcala 2001). One
good idea is to include, in addition to regular tourism, recreational
fishing in the design and planning of MPAs in southern Philippines,
where a potential for recreational fishing for large pelagic fish still exists.
Fishing for pelagic game species with the intention of returning the
captured fish after photographing them could attract tourists interested in
recreational fishing. This activity outside of no-take zones could bring in
income that could be used for the protection and management of MPAs.
The Sarangani group of islands could well be considered for recreational
fishing (A. Ong, pers comm).
The role of MPAs in tourism is amply demonstrated by successes
in the Central Visayas, particularly Bohol and Negros Oriental (Alcala et
al. 2006).
39
physical and environmental features are the primary reasons for the
enormous marine resource production and development potentials of
southern Philippines. These features can account for the uniqueness of
the biodiversity of the Sulawesi Sea compared with the other seas
surrounding the country. Among the unique species are the tunas and the
Manado coelacanth, but there are probably more unique species waiting
to be discovered in the depths of this vast ocean.
While there are geological processes (e.g., earthquakes and
tsunamis) in the southern Philippine seas and the Sulawesi Sea that can
cause occasional environmental disturbances, the area appears to be
generally stable.
The primary role of stakeholders is to eliminate the gaps in our
knowledge of the area through more studies, to protect the environment
and the marine biodiversity and to manage the marine resources for
sustainable development through action programs such as the
establishment of shallow-water and deep offshore MPAs and the
implementation of measures to stop the exploitation practices leading to
resource depletion and environmental degradation.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. There are many gaps in our knowledge of the oceanography and
biodiversity of the seas of southern Philippines and the Sulawesi
Sea. More studies to determine the biodiversity of the area and
its oceanography are needed. Some of these studies would
require sophisticated equipment such as submersibles being
proposed by American oceanographers to study inner space
speciation in the Sulawesi Sea.
2. Without using sophisticated research equipment, much can be
achieved toward understanding biodiversity by establishing more
shallow-water MPAs with provisions for regular monitoring over
time as well as strengthening the management of existing ones.
These MPAs will be useful in bringing back depleted demersal
fishery species and can play an important role in attracting
tourists for economic development (e.g., recreational fishing).
3. There is a need to establish large, high seas or offshore MPAs
encompassing deep areas in the high seas used as migration
routes and spawning/nursery grounds of large pelagic and
41
INDICATOR
SPECIES
Apogon aureus
ParilSangay
Bongo
Is.
Sarangani Bay
Apogon angustatus
Apogon
bandanensis
Apogon compressus
X
X
Apogon sealei
Apogon sp.
Meiacanthus sp.
X
X
Chaetodon
baronessa
Chaetodon bennetti
Chaetodon
citrinellus
Chaetodon kleinii
X
X
Chaetodon lineatus
Chaetodon
ocellicaudus
Chaetodon auriga
Chaetodon
melannotus
Chaetodon
mertensii
Chaetodon meyeri
X
X
Escenius midas
Chaetodon lunula
X
X
Meiacanthus
atrodorsalis
Meiacanthus
grammistes
Plagiotremus
rhynorhynchus
Chaetodontidae
Malalag
Bay
Archamia
zosterophora
Cheilodipterus
macrodon
Cheilodipterus
quinquelineatus
Blennidae
Davao
Gulf *
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Appendix 1. continued.
FISH
FAMILIES
INDICATOR
SPECIES
ParilSangay
Bongo
Is.
Chaetodontidae
Chaetodon
octofasciatus
Chaetodon
ornatissimus
Chaetodon
punctatofasciatus
Chaetodon raffflesi
X
X
Chaetodon
rainfordi
Chaetodon sp.
Malalag
Bay
X
X
X
X
X
Chaetodon
speculum
Chaetodon spinus
Chaetodon
trifascialis
Chaetodon
trifasciatus
Chaetodon
ulietensis
Chaetodon
unimaculatus
Chaetodon
vagabundus
Chaetodontoplus
mesoleucus
Forcipiger
flavissimus
Forcipiger
longirostis
Forcipiger sp.
Hemitaurichthys
polylepis
Heniochus
acuminatus
Heniochus
chrysostomus
Heniochus
diphreutes
Heniochus varius
Davao
Gulf *
Sarangani Bay
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Hemitaurichthys
polylepsis
Coradion altivelis
Coradion
chrysozonus
Corasion sp.
X
X
43
Appendix 1. continued.
FISH
FAMILIES
Cirrhitidae
Labridae
INDICATOR
SPECIES
ParilSangay
Cirrtichthys sp.
Cirrtichthys falco
Cirhitichthys apinus
Paracirrhites
forsteri
Anampses
caepoleopunctatus
Anampses
meleagrides
Anampses twisti
Bongo
Is.
X
X
X
Bodianus
mesothorax
Bolbometopon
muricatum
Cheillio arenatus
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Cirrhilabrus
cyanopleura
Cirrhilabrus
punctatus
Cirrhilabrus sp.
X
X
Coris aygula
X
X
Coris dorsomacula
Coris schroedi
X
X
Cheilinus undulates
Coris gaimard
Cheilinus trilobatus
Coris batuensis
X
X
Cheilinus celebicus
Cheilinus
diagrammus
Cheilinus fasciatus
X
X
Bodianus diana
Cheilinus chlororus
Malalag
Bay
Bodianus axillaris
Cheillio
bimaculatus
Cheillio inermis
Davao
Gulf *
X
X
Sarangani Bay
X
X
Appendix 1. continued.
FISH
FAMILIES
Labridae
INDICATOR
SPECIES
Diproctacanthus
xanthurus
Dischistodus
melanotus
Epibulus insidiator
ParilSangay
Bongo
Is.
Malalag
Bay
Halichoeres chrysus
Halichoeres
hortulanus
Halichoeres
margaritaceus
Halichoeres
marginatus
Halichoeres
melanurus
Halichoeres
melapterus
Halichoeres
prosopeion
Halichoeres
richmondi
Halichoeres
scapularis
Halichoeres sp.
Hemigymnus
melapterus
Hologymnosus
annulatus
Hologymnosus
doliatus
Labrid sp.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Labrichthys
unilineatus
Labroides bicolor
X
X
X
Macropharyngodon
negrosensis
Novaculichthys
taeniorus
Davao
Gulf *
Gomphosus varius
Labroides
dimidiatus
Labroides
pectoralis
Labropsis australis
Sarangani Bay
X
X
45
Appendix 1. continued.
FISH
FAMILIES
Labridae
INDICATOR
SPECIES
ParilSangay
Bongo
Is.
Oxycheilinus
digrammus
Oxycheilinus
unifasciatus
Pseudocheilinus
octotaenia
Pseudanthias
huchtii
Pseudanthias sp.
Oxymonocanthus
longirostris
Stethojulis sp.
X
X
Thalassoma
hardwicke
Thalassoma lunare
Thalassoma
lutescens
Thalassoma
purpureum
Thalassoma
quinquevittatum
Xyrichtys pavo
Cheilodipterus
artus
Cheilodipterus
quenquelineatus
Cheilodipterus sp.
Apolemichthys
trimaculatus
Centropyge bicolor
Centropyge
bispinosus
Centropyge nox
Chaetodontoplus
mesoleucus
Genicanthus
lamarck
Malalag
Bay
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Centriopyge tibicen
Centropyge vrolikii
Davao
Gulf *
Choerodon
anchorago
Pomacanthidae
Sarangani Bay
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Appendix 1. continued.
FISH
FAMILIES
Pomacanthidae
Pomacentridae
INDICATOR
SPECIES
ParilSangay
Bongo
Is.
Sarangani Bay
Pomacanthus
imperator
Pomacanthus
navarchus
Pygoplites
diacanthus
Abudefduf
vaigiensis
Abudefduf
sexfasciatus
Acanthochromis
polyacanthus
Amblyglyphidodon
aureus
Amblyglyphidon
curacao
Amblyglyphidodon
leucogaster
Amphiprion clarkii
Malalag
Bay
X
X
X
X
X
X
Amphiprion
occelaris
Amphiprion percula
Amphiprion
peridareion
Amphiprion
frenatus
Amphiprion
perideraion
Amblyglyphidodon
leucogaster
Davao
Gulf *
X
X
X
X
Chromis acares
Chromis
amboinensis
Chromis analis
Chromis atripes
Chromis caudalis
Chromis
margaritifer
Chromis nitida
Chromis
retrofasciata
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
47
Appendix 1. continued.
FISH
FAMILIES
Pomacentridae
INDICATOR
SPECIES
ParilSangay
Bongo
Is.
Sarangani Bay
Davao
Gulf *
Chromis sp.
Chromis ternatensis
Chromis viridis
Chromis xanthura
Chryseptera
brownriggii
Chryseptera
caeroleolineata
Chryseptera cyanea
Chromis weberi
Chrysiptera
leucopoma
Chryseptera
parasema
Chryseptera
rollandi
Chryseptera sp.
X
X
Chryseptera talboti
Cirrhilabrus sp.
Dascyllus
melanurus
Dascyllus
reticulatus
Dascyllus
trimaculatus
Lepidozygus sp.
Paraglyphipodon
melas
Paraglyphipodon
nigroris
Pomacentrus
alexanderae
Pomacentrus
amboinensis
Pomacentrus
bankanensis
Pomacentrus
boroughi
Pomacentrus
brachialis
Chryspetera starcki
Dascyllus aruanus
Malalag
Bay
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Appendix 1. continued.
FISH
FAMILIES
Pomacentridae
INDICATOR
SPECIES
Bongo
Is.
Sarangani Bay
Davao
Gulf *
Malalag
Bay
Pomacentrus
cuadalis
Pomacentrus
coelestis
Pomacentrus
lepidogenys
Pomacentrus
molluccensis
Pomacentrus reidi
Pomacentrus sp.
Pomacentrus vaiuli
Pomachromis
rollandi
Neoglyphidodon
melas
Neoglyphidodon
nigroris
Neopomacentrus
azysron
Neopomacentrus sp.
Zanclidae
ParilSangay
X
X
X
X
X
X
Stegastes
fasciolatus
Stegastes nigricans
Stegastes sp.
Zanclus cornutus
129
188
81
80
84
TOTAL 8
196
TARGET
SPECIES
Acanthuridae
Acanthurus bleekeri
Acanthurus
caudalis
Acanthurus
dussumieri
Acanthurus mata
X
X
X
Acanthurus lineatus
Acanthurus
lituratus
Acanthurus
nigricans
X
X
X
X
49
Appendix 1. continued.
FISH
FAMILIES
Acanthuridae
INDICATOR
SPECIES
ParilSangay
Acanthurus nigroris
Bongo
Is.
Davao
Gulf *
Acanthurus
thompsonii
Ctenochaetus
binotatus
Ctenochaetus
striatus
Ctenochaetus
strigosus
Ctenochaetus
tominiensis
Naso annulatus
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Naso hexacanthus
Naso lopezi
X
X
Naso minor
Naso unicornis
Paracanthurus
hepatus
Zebrasoma scopoas
X
X
Zebrasoma
verifellum
Aulostomidae
Aulostomus
chinensis
Caesionidae
Caesio
caerulaureus
Caesio cuning
Caesio lunare
Caesio teres
Malalag
Bay
Acanthurus
nigricauada
Acanthurus
nigrofiscus
Acanthurus
olivaceus
Acanthurus
pyroferus
Acanthurus sp.
Naso lituratus
Sarangani Bay
X
X
Appendix 1. continued.
FISH
FAMILIES
Caesionidae
Carangidae
INDICATOR
SPECIES
ParilSangay
Pterocaesio
lativittata
Pterocaesio marri
Pterocaesio pisang
Pterocaesio tile
Selaroides
leptolepis
Megalaspis cordyla
Bongo
Is.
Haemulidae
Holocentridae
Lethrinidae
Platax tiera
Plectorhinchus
chaetodonoides
Plectorhinchus
goldmanni
Plectorhinchus
lineatus
Plectorhinchus
lessonii
Myripristis sp.
Sargocentron
caudimamaculatum
Lutjanus biguttatus
X
X
Lutjanus bohar
X
X
X
Monotaxis
grandoculis
Lutjanidae
Gnathodentex
aureolineatus
Letthrinus lentjan
Malalag
Bay
Platax pinnatus
Sargocentron
punctatissimum
Sargocentron sp.
Davao
Gulf *
X
Seriola sp.
Eppiphidae
Sarangani Bay
X
X
51
Appendix 1. continued.
FISH
FAMILIES
Lutjanidae
INDICATOR
SPECIES
ParilSangay
Bongo
Is.
Lutjanus decussates
Lutjanus fulvus
Lutjanus lutjanus
Lutjanus sp.
Macolor niger
Nemipteridae
Davao
Gulf *
Aphareus furca
Mullidae
Sarangani Bay
X
X
Mulloidichthys
vanicolensis
Parupeneus
barberinoides
Parupeneus
barberinus
Parupeneus
bifasciatus
Parupeneus
cyclostomus
Parupeneus indicus
Parupeneus
multifasciatus
Upeneus tragula
Monotaxis
grandoculis
Pentapodus sp.
X
X
Scolopsis bilineatus
Scolopsis lineatus
Scolopsis ciliatus
Scaridae
Malalag
Bay
Cetoscarus bicolor
Chlorurus sp.
Scarus bleekeri
Scarus dimidiatus
Scarus forstenii
Scarus ghobban
Scarus globiceps
Scarus frenatus
Appendix 1. continued.
FISH
FAMILIES
Scaridae
INDICATOR
SPECIES
ParilSangay
Bongo
Is.
Sarangani Bay
Davao
Gulf *
Scarus microrhinos
Scarus lepidus
Scarus niger
Scarus psittacus
Scarus scaber
Scarus sordidus
X
X
Scarus sp.
Cephalopholis
miniata
Cephalopholis
argus
Cephalopholis
sexmaculatus
Cephalopholis
urodeta
Cephalopholis
boenak
Cephalopholis sp.
Scarus tricolor
Serranidae
Diploprion
bifasciatum
Epinephelus
fasciatus
Epinephelus mera
Pseudanthias
ventralis
Variola louti
Siganidae
Siganus
atripectoralis
Siganus
canaliculatus
Siganus corralinus
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Epinephelus sp.
Plectropomus
leopardus
Pseudanthias
huchtii
Pseudanthias tuka
Malalag
Bay
X
X
X
X
X
X
53
Appendix 1. continued.
FISH
FAMILIES
Siganidae
INDICATOR
SPECIES
ParilSangay
Siganus guttatus
Siganus
punctatissimus
Siganus spinus
Bongo
Is.
OTHERS
SPECIES
Balistidae
X
X
69
60
Balistoides
conspicillum
Balistapus
undulatus
Balistapus sp.
Melichthys vidua
Sufflamen bursa
35
46
30
X
X
X
X
X
Pseudobalistes
flavimarginatus
Ostracion cubicus
Ostracion meleagris
Ostracion sp.
Monacanthidae
Centriscidae
X
X
Monacanthus
longirostris
Unidentified
monocanthid
Aeoliscus strigatus
Aeoliscus chinensis
X
X
Sufflamen
chrysoptera
Sufflamen frenatus
Ostraciidae
Malalag
Bay
Siganus vulpinus
112
Davao
Gulf *
X
X
Siganus puellus
TOTAL 14
Sarangani Bay
X
X
Appendix 1. continued.
FISH
FAMILIES
Tetraodontidae
INDICATOR
SPECIES
ParilSangay
Canthigaster
amboinensis
Canthigaster
coronata
Canthigaster papua
Canthigaster sp.
Canthigaster
solandri
Canthigaster
valentinii
Arothron
nigropunctatus
Bongo
Is.
Sarangani Bay
Davao
Gulf *
X
X
X
X
Microdesmidae
Nemateleotris
magnifica
Pinguipedidae
Parapercis
cylindrica
Parapercis
clathrata
Callionymidae
Ptereleotris evides
Scorpaenidae
Pterois volitans
X
X
X
X
Pterois radiata
Synodontidae
Plotosidae
TOTAL
X
X
Saurida gracilis
Synodus sp.
X
X
Plotosus lineatus
11
33
Pterois antennata
Scoraenopsis sp.
Malalag
Bay
X
19
17
15
55
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61
Abner A. Bucol holds a degree in Biology and has worked with various
terrestrial and marine conservation projects, serving as field and research
assistant. He is presently a researcher at the SUAKCREM, and co-author of
an upcoming book Directory of Marine Reserves in the Visayas with Dr.
Angel C. Alcala and P. Nillos-Kleiven.