Candelaria's Reefs

Just updated some of the codes in the site and while I was testing it, I came across this article about the recovering reefs of Candelaria, Zambales. It’s a very interesting read, mostly because I am not aware that our reefs were this extensive, nor was I aware that they were in that much danger.

Recovering Reefs Make a Splash: Candelaria Marine Sanctuary, Philippines

by Daisy Flores-Salgado and Toni Parras

Patrol boat on the shore of Candelaria Marine Sanctuary. Photo by Toni Parras

Introduction
Three young men were caught fishing illegally in the municipal waters of Candelaria. Their violation? It wasn’t their gear; the mesh size on their gill net was sufficiently large. Rather, they were fishing without registration, a mandatory and simple task that helps the town keep track of who and how many are fishing in their waters. In fact, they were not even from Candelaria, but from a neighboring town a few kilometers away. Imploringly, they asked the apprehending officer if they could register in Candelaria so that they could fish here.

"Why don’t you just fish in your own waters?" asked Pablito Echipare, the Bantay Dagat, or Fish Warden who had caught them fishing in clearly marked waters in plain site during the daytime.

"Because the fishing is much better here," replied the youths. "There are no fish in our waters."

"Well, then, why don’t you take care of your waters," posed the fish warden. "Why don’t you do what we are doing here?"

And what exactly are they doing in Candelaria that would entice fishers from other municipalities to risk arrest by openly partaking of Candelaria’s marine bounty? Residents have embarked on an initiative to save their waters and associated resources that has thus far proven successful.

Continue reading the article

As you can see, the article was written way back 2005. It would be interesting to find out what is the status of these reefs today. Candelaria is slowing coming into people’s awareness as a place to visit, and these reefs would be an additional tourist attraction.

It would also be great for the local government of Candelaria and its citizens to work together to help improve the town’s tourism industry and give its visitors a more memorable and worthwhile experience. We’re still trying to gain our feet from the recent devastation of the storm Cosme. Hopefully, we can take it from there.