SUAKCREM,
Basay Municipality, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources to
the Rescue of Negros Cave Frog
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Dr. Ely Alcala advocates the protection of "Negros Cave Frog" during the Barangay Consultation in Actin, Basay, Negros Oriental with Ba. Captain Judalex Actub (inset, right) and releases P. spelaeus (inset, above) at Kutod Caves (background) |
Platymantis
spelaeus, and endemic frog of Negros Island, is considered to be near
extinction. This species was discovered in the Kutod caves in Barangay Actin,
Basay, Negros Oriental. The natural habitat of Negros cave frogs was altered
when a water dam was constructed at the mouth of this cave.
Dr. Ely Alcala of SUAKCREM and Mr. Lawton Alcala of the Environmental and
Natural Resources Management Division of Negros Oriental consulted the Barangay
on March 10, 2000 on the conservation of P. spelaeus. At the consultation
with the Barangay Captain Judalex Actub, council members, fishermen, and housewives,
Dr. Ely Alcala presented to the body the need to protect the Negros cave frogs
by preserving its natural habitat. Advocacy material in Ilonggo was distributed
and a draft municipal resolution was presented to the audience. The
presentation was followed by the release of two frogs species, Rona magna
and P. spelaeus, to Kutod caves. The community reciprocated positively to
their advocacy by considering the resolution, "Protection of Negros Cave Frog",
at the regular Barangay Session in March.
Evironmental
Study on Liboran River
SUAKCREM
Team, Jasper Maypa and Ely Alcala with Dapitan City Dept. of Agriculture,
Elda Gimena, Oracio Gamalod, and Ernesto Gallapeso conduct water sampling
and mapping of Liboran River. |
The research team
of the SUAKCREM composed of Dr. Angel Alcala, Dr. Ely Alcala, and Mr. Jasper
Maypa, and by Engr. Tessie Cabije of the College of Engineering, Silliman
University, has completed the mapping of Liboran River, Dapitan City. The
map shows the main topographic features and uses of the river.
Liboran River, which is 7.7 kilometers long with an area of
62.6 hectares, is used for culture of oysters and fishes (primarily bangus).
The team also conducted water analysis of the Liboran River
using the newly acquired equipment to measure salinity, dissolved oxygen,
transparency, conductivity, pH and BOD. Water samples were taken to Silliman
University Chemistry Department for analysis on the levels of nutrients,
such as nitrite, nitrate, and total dissolved solids presents in the river.
Problems identified include bacterial contamination through
sewage, fungal infestation of fish, and destruction of young mangroves by
isopod. The fungal infection is probably due to the lowering of salinity
through flooding from Dapitan River.
Social
Scientist Conducts Leadership Training Seminars For Aliguay and Selinog
Fisher Folks
Pew Community Organizer Coordinator, Ms Merlinda Cepeda, conducts
leadership training for fisher folks of Aliguay and Selinog on February
26, and 27, 2000. The training aims to strengthen the leadership capability
of the community in preparation for the responsibility of overseeing the
marine sanctuary. The overwhelming response and participation of the community
in both islands indicate the community's eagerness to take active part in
managing their resources.
Dr. Angel Alcala participated in the trainings conducted specifically
in addressing questions related to the establishment of the marine sanctuary.
The social work students, Khalachuchi Flores, Melinda Nocete. Psalmer Samson,
Jenny Sarte and research assistant, Enrico Cruz, organized the leadership
training.
Taguilon Bay Study
A preliminary study of Taguilon Bay, Dapitan City conducted by Dr. Angel C.
Alcala and Mr. Cyril Patangan is the basis for recommendations on the zoning
of the bay for multiple resource uses. The team also recommended a program
of management of the bay.
Marine Biologist of MPSC
Conducts Research On Fishery Function of Seagrass Bed
Dir.
Conception Regalado of MCP, Panaon, Misamis Occidental. |
Dir. Conception Regalado together with L. Alfeche, R. Lasagas, and A Putis
of the Marine Biology Department of Mindanao Polytechnic State College, conducted
research on Panaon's 70-80 square meters of seagrass bed. The investigation
was conducted to know the ecological importance of the seagrass bed for fisheries
production. The investigators took 10 samples of fish species using a fisherman's
fine-mesh beach seine 90 x 6 meters in size on January 8-14, 2000.
The fishes caught by the beach seine were numerous, diverse, but mostly
young fishes. The total number of juveniles and adults ranging from 1 to 13
cm long is 8,287 and belonging to 31 species and 23 families.
Ninety five (95%) of the total catch were slipmouths, (Leiognathidae),
anchovies (Engraulidae), sweepers (Pampheridae), and silversides (Atherinidae).
Most of the species caught were demersal, inhabiting shallow coastal waters.
The exceptions were the pelagic barracudas (Sphyraenidae) and partly pelagic
half breaks (Hemiramphidae). The catch produced were mainly fry and juvenile
stages, mostly less than 1 cm in length.
These initial results indicate that: (1) the seagrass bed at
Panaon is indeed a nursery area for certain fish species, both shallow-water
and pelagic; (2) the fishing gear used is efficient in catching not only adults
but also juveniles; (3) the Panaon area is rich in slipmouths and anchovies;
and (4) large fish predators, like barracudas, which feed on small fish (e.g
slipmouths, anchovies) can be expected to be attracted to shallow water for
fishermen to catch.
The results also indicate the need for fishery information to be available
to local government officials and fishing community. This information can
be used as an advocacy material by the local town council to pass a resolution
in conserving the seagrass bed and its resources by either setting aside no-take
reserves or by modifying the fishing gear to reduce the capture of juvenile
fishes.
Marine Reserve at Mantigue Island
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Viewed from west, the Mantigue Island of San Roque, Municipality of Mahinog, Camiguin |
Ms. Vivien S. Cabanban revisited Mantigue Island on February 25-28 after underwater census of corals and fishes by Dr. Gary Russ early this year. The visit of Ms. Cabanban was to get more information of the island and the fishing community living there.
Mantigue Island is located at the southeast of Camiguin Island and is 6-9 hectares in area. The Island is under the jurisdiction of Mahinog Municipality. The fishing community is about 200 residents in about 34 households. The fishing community on Mantigue and Mahinog Municipality has expressed its interest in establishing a marine sanctuary in Mantigue. However, a problem may arise on its implementation due to the standing municipality resolution that community on the island will be relocated to Camiguin Island.
Possible collaborative efforts with the Camiguin Polytechnic State College
in the project implementation are under study.
Papers/Meetings
Attended
Palawan Herpetofauna by A. C. Alcala Symposium on Palawan, Crocodile
Farming Institute, Puerto Princesa; The Negros Cave Frog by E.L. Alcala et
al, Annual Meeting of the Wildlife Conservation Society of the Philippines,
University of De la Salle; and Networking of Coastal Resource Management at
the University of the Philippines, Dilliman, Quezon City.
Visitors
Trevor Anderson, Professor at James Cook University, will study the
physiology of a surgeonfish, Naso vlamingi. He will be based at SUAKCREM and
Marine Laboratory. Annadel S. Cabanban, Associate Professor at the Universiti
Malaysia Sabah, visited the Center to discuss with Dr. Alcala a project proposal
on the inter-connectivity of coral reef fish populations in Central Visayas.
Dr. Alcala Celebrates Birthday
Dr.
Alcala during his birthday celebration |
The staff of SUAKCREM and the Marine Laboratory celebrated the birthday of
Dr. Alcala on March 1. Dr. Alcala has spent a significant portion of his life
towards the study of frogs, reptiles, crabs, marine fishes and coral reefs
in the Philippines. Dr. Alcala expressed his gratitude in a luncheon to the
boat crew and staff members who assisted him in his research throughout these
year. Some staff of the Marine Laboratory gave a luncheon in his honor. 
