Fishermen launch nationwide mangrove replanting program

June 8, 2009

DAPITAN CITY — Fishermen seeking to protect the Coral Triangle have launched a nationwide watershed and mangrove tree planting program here during the opening of the 57th Zamboanga del Norte Founding Anniversary.

Dubbed as “Puno ko, Sagip-Buhay Mo,” the project was spearheaded by the department of Agriculture (DA) through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in support of the observance of the Farmers and Fisherfolk Month.

President Arroyo planted “bani” – a local term for a beach tree species —- in a reclaimed area in Dapitan City along with 2,000 fisherfolk, students, local officials, and members of various organizations.

Mrs. Arroyo stressed the importance of planting trees and solid waste disposal in mitigating climate change.

“Trees give off oxygen while breathing in carbon dioxide. Decaying waste produces methane which contributes more to global warming than carbon dioxide,” she stressed.

The Philippines is one of six countries comprising the Coral Triangle, which is the global epicenter of marine species diversity. The other countries are East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia (Sabah), Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

Mangrove areas are considered a bridge between terrestrial and marine environments since they form the base of many marine food webs and serves as home to a wide variety of marine and terrestrial life. They help protect coral reefs by trapping sediments that otherwise would smother and kill the corals.

The Philippines and Indonesia together hold a massive 77 percent of the Coral Triangle’s coral reefs. Studies show that sedimentation and pollution associated with coastal development and changes in land use puts 37 percent of the region’s reefs and marine habitat at risk.

BFAR director Malcolm I. Sarmiento, Jr. said for this year, the collaborative undertaking aims to plant some 300,000 mangrove propagules and 100,000 tree saplings in at least 30 coastal and watershed areas across the country.

Sarmiento said in Quezon alone, at least 10 coastal municipalities had joined the bandwagon targeting to plant 50,000 propagules along the southern part of Lamon Bay (Atimonan, Calauag, Gumaca, Lopez, Perez, Plaridel, Quezon and Alabat), Tayabas Bay (Sariaya) and Ragay Gulf (Tagkawayan).

Mangroves are also man’s first line of defense against tsunamis, the occurrence of which are now becoming more frequent due to climate change. Tsunamis do not only threaten the lives of coastal communities but also wreak havoc on properties and livelihood among the coastal dwellers mostly fisherfolk, he said.

“Considering the current state of atmospheric changes in the planet due to climate change, mangrove helps in reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that results to global warming. As such, mangrove, next to rainforest is considered a major carbon sink of the planet,” Sarmiento said.

May is also considered Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month in recognition of and as tribute to the important contribution of these basic sectors to our economy, he added.

Posted in Climate Change, News