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Tayo at Karagatan: Of Bikes, Books, and Stories on Saving Our Seas

Posted on June 20, 2017

The Philippines takes pride as being one of only six countries that sits at the center of the Coral Triangle. With its ecosystem spanning an astounding 6 million km2, the Coral Triangle boasts of a huge array of marine organisms that places it on the higher echelons of biodiversity, and has contributed much to the marine biodiversity in the country. For one, this is the only place in the world where 76% percent of all reef-building coral species are found, 6 out of 7 species of turtles are located, and is considered the center of coral reef fish diversity (37% of the world’s reef fish are found here). As such, its protection and conservation has huge implications on the communities surrounding the triangle as it fuels its economies and sustains the livelihood of over 120 million people; and 2.25 million of these, including those in our country, are poor fisher folks.

Sadly, human-induced pressures ranging from overfishing and unsustainable tourism to habitat destruction and poor governance pose an ever-present threat to its survival. And with the increasing population placing an additional stress to its ecological balance, it may seem as if every attempt to save our oceans and seas will be doomed to fail.

However, for a group of fisher folks in Iloilo, it is never too late to help campaign for the protection of the oceans. Who might have thought that fast bikes, big colorful books, and children stories can give such a valuable contribution to the advocacy efforts on saving our oceans and seas? This small village group, named Barangay Pedada Fisherfolk, believed they can.

Thus, on June 3-4, 2017, time for the 18th Month of the Ocean and the World Ocean Day, the group organized a 2-day event aimed at enhancing the level of awareness of the general public on significant issues concerning the diverse nature of marine ecosystems- and more importantly, on ways how to safeguards these endangered habitats.

Partnering with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL)-Philippines with funding support from FPE, the 22-kilometer biking event aptly dubbed as “Ocean’s Ride” involved 157 bikers coming from different biking organizations in Iloilo and 60 volunteers and support groups from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6, Philippine Red Cross, Iloilo Provincial Police Office and Iloilo City Police Office. It was not your usual bike race since all of the participants, including volunteers, paused at certain locations, not to rest, but to conduct a thorough coastal cleanup. Two important sites— the Sonneratia alba mangrove plantation in Brgy. Ermita and the Leganes Katunggan Eco-park— were the main targets of this activity. The organizers have conveyed the intended advocacies of protecting and conserving our marine resources through short lectures given by Dr. Jurgene H. Primavera, Chief Mangrove Scientific Advisor and current member of FPE Board of Trustees, and the inspiring messages by Mayor Ronaldo Golez of the Municipality of Dumangas, Mr. Wilson Batislaon, MENRO-Municipality of Leganes and DENR’s Atty. Noel Empleo.  

At the end of the event, over 70 seedlings of Avicennia marina were planted at the Leganes Katunggan Ecopark and 129 kilograms of marine debris, mostly plastic, were collected from the coastal cleanup. 

The other event for the next day was equally exciting, for it involved the next generation of environmental protectors. Fifty-three children in their formative years (1-12 years old) enthusiastically participated in the storytelling activity entitled “You and Me Under the Sea.” Aside from loot bags, mascots, and puppeteers, the entire venue was set up just like a marine protected area complete with coral reef, seagrass area, mangrove, and buffer zone. Stories focused on marine animals such as “Ang Pakikipagsapalaran ng Tatlong Dugong” and “The Little Boy and the Sea” both written by ZSL’s Dax Dequito. Interactive learning games continued throughout the day with Coloring Corals (coloring activity), Fishing in a Plastic Ocean (fishing game), Finding Cory’s Home (board game), and Make a Mangrove (online interactive game). From the laughter and the joy of the kids, one can say that the activity was successful in conveying a strong message to the youth on the role we all play on the protection of the marine ecosystem.

This advocacy was maximized with the use of both broadcast and print media. Event posters were circulated in social media, “Save our Mangroves” shirts were worn by bikers and other participants throughout the event, banners were placed in strategic spots, and major broadcast media outlets covered the event.

Indeed, it was a fun 2-day activity.

The two events made the participants aware of the value, status and solutions to the problems for marine environment. These events  encouraged them to protect and conserve the marine ecosystem through various means such as being responsible and environmentally conscious consumers, reducing use of plastic bags, bottles and straws and volunteering for noble activities like mangrove planting and coastal clean-up.

Indeed, the seemingly impossible task of protecting the seas and oceans with its vastness and immensity, can also be done through small practical things    — like bikes, and books, and children’s stories.