Republic of the Philippines

Province of Davao del Norte

City of Tagum
CITY ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES OFFICE
Motorpool, Tipaz, Barangay Magugpo East, Tagum City

CORAL REEF AND TERRITORIAL FISH ASSESSMENT AT

FISH SANCTUARY OF BARANGAY VICENTE HIZON SR.,
BUHANGIN DISTRCICT DAVAO CITY
October 18-19, 2017

Introduction

The City Government of Davao through the initiative of the Officials of Barangay Hizon has
successfully declared the 2.7 hectares FISH SANCTUARY located at Zone 1, Purok Baybay, Lizada
Village, Barangay Vicente Hizon Sr., Davao City in the City Ordinance No. 0375-07 otherwise
known as “Ordinance for the Establishment and Management of the Davao City Marine Protected Areas
and Providing Funds Thereof”.

Previous results of the assessment of the said fish sanctuary conducted by the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources Office-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) Region
XI on year 2007 showed that there are about 51% live corals that need to be managed and protected in
order to help improve the livelihood of fisher folks along coastal communities of Barangay Hizon Sr.

On the other hand, research personnel from the City Environment and Natural Resource Office
(City ENRO)-LGU Tagum City were requested by the Barangay Council of Hizon Sr. to conduct follow-
up assessment in order to document updates on the present State of Fish Sanctuary of Barangay Hizon Sr.
dated October 18-19, 2017 with the following objectives formulated, to wit;

1. Assess the status or progress of Artificial Coral Reef (ACR) Project installed on August ___, 2017;
2. Determine coral and territorial fish species in the fish sanctuary;
3. Identify possible threats that would affect the fish sanctuary;
4. Provide other protection, management and adaptation strategies in the fish sanctuary in aid of
legislation.

Observations in the Barangay Hizon Sr. Fish Sanctuary:

 Mooring buoy properly installed with navigational path applied.
 Bantay-Dagat is well organized with day and night shift-duty.
 Different modules of Artificial Coral Reef (ACR) are present in the area.
 Juvenile fish species were observed mostly belongs to reef fish group (coral feeders).
 Different coral life forms observed mostly massive and sub-massive.
 Fish sanctuary is exposed to private beach resorts and coastal communities.
 Non-biodegradable wastes particularly cellophanes, plastic bottles, tetra packs, broken glasses,
diapers/napkins were observed in the seabed of fish sanctuary.
 Presence of massive crown-of-thorns feeding to the reef patches.
 Low water visibility due to unfavorable weather condition from Southwest Monsoon (Habagat)
which caused surge and tides.
 Unregulated scuba diving activities were observed.
 Lack of regular benthic life forms and fish species identification and assessment.

RECOMMENDATIONS

CENRO LGU TAGUM cenrolgutagum@gmail.com (084) 216-6055

 Republic of the Philippines
Province of Davao del Norte
City of Tagum
CITY ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES OFFICE
Motorpool, Tipaz, Barangay Magugpo East, Tagum City

a) Conduct another schedule of fish and coral species assessment in aid of further legislation.
b) Undertake proper arrangement of unloaded ACRs in order to determine its coral recruitment
progress.
c) Conduct underwater clean-up drive (SCUBAsurero) and coastal cleanup drive in cooperation
with scuba divers, academes, government and non-government organizations, and other socio-
civic groups in order to minimize solid waste pollution.
d) Conduct communication, education and public awareness (CEPA) with the participation of beach
owners and coastal communities of Barangay Vicente Hizon Sr.
e) Conduct mangrove planting adjacent to fish sanctuary to give protection and provide habitat and
food for the benefit of marine organisms.
f) Conduct photo documentation and create additional information materials or printed tarpaulins
showcasing the life forms to promote the fish sanctuary of Barangay Vicente Hizon Sr.
g) Look for other private entities or companies to gain support as funding partners for the
sustainability of the protection and management of fish sanctuary.
h) Create or incorporate in the Barangay Ordinance the policy regulating the scuba diving activities.
i) Increase the budget allocation for fish sanctuary management.

Prepared by:

RODEL S. CHUA LUIGIE B. BAGO

Focal Person, Coastal Management Unit Research Staff
City ENRO-LGU Tagum City City ENRO-LGU Tagum City

Attested by:

EnP. NONITO C. DELA TORRE, MBA, MSERM

Division Head, Regulatory and Law Enforcement Division
OIC, Coastal Management Unit
City ENRO-LGU Tagum City

Approved by:

VIVIAN R. BAHALLA, CE, MSERM

City ENR Officer

PHOTO DOCUMENTATION

The Research Team

CENRO LGU TAGUM cenrolgutagum@gmail.com (084) 216-6055

 Republic of the Philippines
Province of Davao del Norte
City of Tagum
CITY ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES OFFICE
Motorpool, Tipaz, Barangay Magugpo East, Tagum City

CENRO LGU TAGUM cenrolgutagum@gmail.com (084) 216-6055