International World Ocean Day: Strengthening Coastal Protections, Heightening Seaside Communities

Authors: Hannah Faith S. Lasquite and Rey Mark P. Nudo, Science Communication Interns

Photo courtesy of Genea Nichole Cortez

All life comes from the sea, from burrowing mudcrabs to soaring kingfisher birds; all of us can trace our lineage back to the deep blue. Philippine mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs are just a few of the interconnected parts that support the lush life in our oceans. That’s why every June 8th, the international community celebrates World Ocean Day, with this year’s theme being "Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet". But what are these so-called “Marine Protected Areas”, and more importantly, how can they safeguard our mangal networks?

What are Marine Protected Areas and How Do They Help Us?

A Marine Protected Area (acronymed as MPA) is a specific region of the sea or coast that's been legally designated for conservation. It limits environmentally destructive human activities, including but not limited to reclamation, overfishing, and logging. Within MPAs, destructive fishing gear and practices such as dynamite fishing are also prohibited; these limits help protect vulnerable species, which in turn reduces the risk of extinction and ecological collapse. 

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Philippines

The Philippines has more than 1,600+ MPAs with an accumulated area of about 3 million hectares, many of which are small and locally managed (Mualil et al., 2019). As a result, these smaller MPAs may not be able to reach their maximum potential due to a lack of manpower and budget. However, this does not mean that all hope is lost; some still manage to rise above these hurdles.

One of the most successful MPAs in the country is the Calatagan Mangrove Park, located within the Verde Island Passage. This forest park has undergone mangrove rehabilitation efforts that resulted in an 80% survival rate 7 years later, showcasing a remarkable amount of resilience. It is run by the PALITIKAN group with members from the local community, scientists, and youth volunteers, all working together to make a difference. While their mangrove planting efforts were undoubtedly successful, as with other MPAs, continued management has still run into financial and material difficulties (Buncag et al., 2019).

Status of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Philippines

“Creation and effective management of MPAs have lagged behind those of protected areas on land, but are just as important.” - IUCN

The current status of MPAs in the Philippines has significant gaps in their implementation and management. Although the country has established numerous MPAs, challenges remain in ensuring their effective protection and governance.

According to the Aichi Biodiversity Target 11, at least 10% of coastal and marine areas should be conserved through equitably managed protected area systems by 2020. However, as of 2020, only approximately 1.42% of the Philippines' marine waters were effectively protected, falling substantially short of this target.

Furthermore, a study conducted by Galveia et al. (2025) in the southeastern portion of Mindanao found that poor law enforcement, limited financial resources, and inadequate training among management personnel were among the primary factors contributing to the ineffective management of MPAs in the region. These challenges reduce the effectiveness of conservation efforts and may leave marine ecosystems vulnerable to resource degradation and overexploitation rather than providing the intended protection.

These findings underscore the need for stronger support from national and local government agencies, including increased funding and enhanced capacity-building for personnel responsible for managing these areas, to ensure the long-term conservation of marine and coastal resources.

Pertinent Laws Governing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Philippines

The Philippines, recognized as one of the world's 17 megadiverse countries and situated within the Coral Triangle—a region known for its exceptionally rich marine biodiversity—requires adequate protection and effective management of its natural resources. Strengthening conservation efforts is essential to sustain ecosystem services and prevent the overexploitation of marine and coastal resources.

So, to safeguard these areas, several laws provide the legal framework for conservation and management. These include the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) Act, the Fisheries Code of 1998, and the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001. Together, these laws provide written guidelines that promote the proper and effective management of protected areas, including Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), to ensure the long-term conservation of the country's biodiversity and marine resources.

Although these laws provide a broad framework for the protection and management of protected areas in the Philippines, there remains a need for more specific and MPA-focused policies. A legal framework that explicitly prioritizes Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) could strengthen their protection, improve management effectiveness, and address existing gaps in implementation and enforcement.

How can YOU be a part of the solution?

Our environment is a large biosphere composed of interconnected systems that support one another. Just like marine and coastal ecosystems, they depend not only on the water environment itself but also on terrestrial and atmospheric environments.

To effectively protect these Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), strong, proactive policies should be implemented that prioritize the conservation of marine flora and fauna. These efforts should be supported by proper enforcement and active community participation to ensure long-term sustainability.

YOU can help strengthen our marine and coastal protections right now by supporting the National Coastal Greenbelt Act (NCGA), a proposed bill that ensures mangrove forests are safeguarded from illegally built structures and urges Local Government Units (LGUs) to implement hefty fees for environmental penalties.