Park managers of Apo Reef Natural Park (ARNP), a protected area 33 kilometers off the coast of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, are now considering to limit tourism activities in the area even when tourism fully resumes.
The decision came after the number of critically endangered hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Apo Reef doubled during the community quarantine period.
In an interview with The Manila Bulletin, Krystal Dayne Villanada, protected area superintendent of ARNP, said they have recorded 29 turtle emergence from March to August this year, almost doubling the original 15 recorded nests in the same period last year. She said 21 of these were nesting emergence, which meant that the turtle successfully laid its eggs.
The management took this growth as a positive effect, especially during the closure of Apo Reef to tourists amid the travel restrictions imposed by the national government.
Though the area has now partially reopened to local residents following the easing in safety protocols, the carrying capacity continues to be at 52 visitors per day, half of the original 104.
But even when tourism fully resumes, Villanada said they will be exploring the possibility of limiting tourism activities, primarily on Apo Island, the largest among the three islands in Apo Reef, so as not to distort the nesting of turtles.
The main geographical features of Apo Reef are submerged, which makes it also a popular diving spot both for local and foreign divers. The three islands that mark it on the surface, include the Apo Island, Apo Menor (Binangaan'), and Cayos del Bajo (Tinangkapang).
Apo Island is approximately 22 hectares which harbors mangroves and beach vegetation, whereas Apo Menor (Binangaan') is rocky Iimestone island with relatively few vegetation, and Cayos del Bajo is a coralline rock formation with no vegetation.
Among the three, Apo Island is a famous beach and camping site, where the majority of tourists would often come onboard boats.
Though considered as another tourist magnet, part of the conservation efforts is protecting the environment where the species thrive, to which Villanada said beach and swimming activities might be soon limited in certain parts of the island.
“Campsite will not be affected. But maybe activities like turning the lights off at an earlier time . Avoiding roaming around the island in the evening will also be implemented because usually the turtles lay their eggs at this time,” she said.
Lights in the island were usually turned off at 10p.m. but she said they might soon adjust it to 8:30p.m. to minimize disturbance.
“These activities will be discussed and presented to the management board during our last quarter meeting this October,” she added.
The Apo Reef, also considered as the second largest atoll-like reef in the Philippines, is teeming with 285 species of colorful marine life, including tropical aquarium fish, snappers and the crevice-dwelling moray under its clear blue waters.
It was declared as a protected area under the category of Natural Park by Presidential Proclamation No. 868 that was issued in 1996.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) listed the Apo Reef for consideration of UNESCO as a world heritage site.
It was also declared a tourist zone and marine reserve by virtue of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro Sangguaniang Bayan Resolution No. 1108 in 1983.
In 2018, at the time when the tourism department recorded an all-time high tourist arrivals in the country, both foreign and local tourists generated around P8.1 million in revenue from visits to the marine protected area in Occidental Mindoro.