Study will not change scientific environ facts

"Any further environmental studies off Panglao Bay will not alter the scientific facts and the reclamation benefits cannot compensate for the richness of Panglao Bay's Marine Biodiversity once it is damaged." This was the unanimous conclusion of the six scientists who conducted a Panglao Reclamation Scientific Conference last Thursday. Among those who offered their time (without compensation) for the comprehensive discussion and brainstorming using the present scientific facts based on the studies done in Panglao Bay were Dr. Anicia

GLOBAL SCIENTISTS gather in Panglao town to elucidate further the need to preserve the biodiversity in the island amid the proposal to reclaim several islets in the seawaters off Panglao. The scientists declare that no study can change what is scientifically real in Bohol's natural resources which need to be protected.

The groups studied and integrated all the scientific data available from the previous studies done in Panglao Bay through the recent years and the system surrounding the area. However, their study and discussion were mainly focused on the 650 hectares which is the actual area of the proposed site of the Oasis and Waterfront reclamation projects.

Among the highlights of the discussion is the importance of sea grasses in the ecosystem of the productivity of fish and other marine products.

It had been a loud declaration of the fishermen supporting the reclamation that the area to be reclaimed is nothing but sea grasses. These fishermen even compared the place to be reclaimed as a mere desert.

PROBABLE IMPACT

Dr. Rene Rollon, an expert on sea grass, explained the largely unseen huge contribution of see grass in the production of fish and other marine species.

"Fishermen sail to the sea with only one thing in the mind which is to have a catch", Rollon politely explained as he continued that "these fishermen of course can't see the value of the huge area of sea grass in that place and so naturally they don't appreciate the presence of the sea grass".

Rollon added that even the known penaeid shrimp "lukon" can't grow without passing through the mangroves. The proposal of Waterfront clearly pictured that mangrove will not be covered with soil. However, the tonnage of soil to be dumped in the area can cease the normal function of the mangrove in the ecosystem as flows of sea water can't anymore reach the shore.

For her part, Dr. Anicia Q. Hurtado, a seaweed expert, explained that the huge strip of white sand in Panglao is due to the presence of coralline macroalge and calcareous seaweed in the area which contributes in making the sands white.

"Most foreigners come here because of the white sand of the beaches. Their whiteness is largely due to the presence of seaweeds in the area. Now if you cover those seaweeds with soil, what will surely happen?" Hurtado explained.

Dr. Danilo Largo, an expert on Biology and Seaweed Diseases, who also participated in the Panglao 2004 Marine Biodiversity Project headed by Prof. Philippe Bouchet from the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France, stressed about the almost incomparable richness of the marine biodiversity of Panglao Bay as what has been discovered by the Panglao Expedition.

It can be recalled that the 2004 Panglao Expedition, which cost around P40 million pesos, participated in by 74 scientists, students and volunteers from 19 countries, have announced the discovery of 1,200 decapod crustaceans or different species of crabs and shrimps, and around six thousand mollusk species, all not known to science before the expedition.

Dr. Largo pointed out that unless proven otherwise, those new species being recorded into science and mostly found in Bohol, are in danger of being wiped out of the world if reclamation will be pushed through.

"Again you will lose the very products that you've been selling to the tourists as they come here", Dr. Largo stressed.

A recent study conducted in the Bohol Sea by the Philippine Strait Dynamic Experiment from 2007-2009 had discovered the Bohol Jet. Bohol Jet is a constant strong current of sea water passing in the Bohol Sea from Surigao Strait to the Sulu Sea via Dipolog Strait. Panglao Island lies on the northern edge of the westward flowing Bohol Jet. The persistent nature of this jet flow, as revealed by ocean measurements and satellite remote sensing, suggests that the net larval transport may also be westward and that Panglao may be an important larval source for reefs in western Bohol Sea. These physical features, scientists say, have been shown in other areas to positively influence larval entrainment and supply.

The group also believed that even the migratory species such as mammals will be affected. Studies show that there is a strong link between fisheries and dolphins. It appears that, with the Bohol Jet, Panglao Bay and its immediate vicinity is an entrainment (larval deposition) area. Therefore, any disturbance of the sea current through tonnage of soil covering vast area has serious implication to the coastal fisheries. In effect, dolphins would then have problems with food source.

Studies further found out that Bohol Sea has one of the most diverse assemblages of dolphins, toothed whales and baleen whales in the country.

The group found out that reclamation can damage the very products that are sold by Bohol to the tourists. These products are unique and mostly present in Panglao Bay.

In the end, it would still be a question of sustainability of living over protecting Marine Biodiversity, or converting it into commercial and entertainment that the reclamation project proposes to do.

GENERAL CONCLUSION

The group carved conclusions based on the foregoing probable impacts. They believed that the direct loss of at least 500 hectares of dense sea grass beds (with an equivalent of minimum annual production of US$9.5 million intrinsic value) and indirectly destroying the entire mangrove-seagrass-seaweed-coral ecosystem (2,300 hectares in total) in Panglao Bay due to reclamation is not environmentally sound.

Their conclusion continued that with the Bohol Jet, Panglao Bay appears to be an entertainment area (larval retention; emphasizing the nursery function of sea grasses and mangroves in the area) and that there is broader geographic (multi-province) implication with respect to (1) the disruption of the larval/plankton connectivity, (2) supply of white sand to beaches downstream of Bohol Jet, and (3) coastal fisheries.

The group believed that any further environmental study, as what is pushed by the OASIS, will not change the scientific facts that have been established along Panglao Bay.

The group is willing to grace any invitation from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for future committee hearings.

For her part, 3rd District Board Member Godofreda Tirol, who was also present during the conference together with Board Member Romulo Cepedoza, expressed thanks for the time and efforts of the scientists who somehow open the intelligence of ordinary people especially on the importance of sea grass on the life cycle of coastal fish.

David Bailley, president of the Panglao Association of Nature Advocates, who organized the forum, called on the Boholanos to do their part in educating the people behind the dangers in pushing for any reclamation in Panglao Bay. (Anthony R. Aniscal)