MONTH OF THE OCEAN 2013
“Ang Bahura ay Kagubatan sa Karagatan, Ating Pangalagaan”

Background

The “Month of the Ocean” (MOO) is celebrated annually in the Philippines during the month of May by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 57 issued in 1999. Specifically, Section 2 of the said Proclamation mandates the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to spearhead the observance of the MOO in collaboration with the different sectors of the society through the conduct of activities that shall highlight the conservation, protection and sustainable management of the country’s coastal and ocean resources.

This year, the Department thru the PAWB-Coastal and Marine Management Office (CMMO) is set to put up another meaningful MOO celebration to sustain the promotion and awareness campaign on ocean conservation and marine resource sustainability.  At the moment, several activities are already being prepared. While last year’s theme encompasses the broad campaign of ocean life is our life (Buhay Dagat, Buhay Natin), this year’s theme will focus on one of the four equally important coastal and marine ecosystems – the coral reef biota. Hence this year’s theme “Ang Bahura ay Kagubatan sa Karagatan, Ating Pangalagaan!” (The Coral Reefs are the Forests in the Seas, Let’s Protect them!).

Objectives

1. Present to the general public the current state of the coral reef ecosystem in the country, its value and importance in the well-being of the people through the various ecosystem services it provides and the various natural and human impacts that contribute to its continuing degradation.
2. Increase the appreciation and understanding of the public about the DENR’s national program, the sustainable coral reef ecosystem management program (SCREMP), as well as, other government programs and projects on the coastal and marine environment.
3. Win the support and partnership of the people in safeguarding and promoting sustainable use and management of the coral reefs and associated coastal and marine ecosystems by presenting various ways wherein they can consciously take part in the proper use, conservation, protection, rehabilitation and management activities.
4. Influence policy makers, leaders, and decision makers at all levels of government and gather stakeholder cooperation towards integrating the sustainable management of the coastal and marine ecosystems into planning and governance decisions
5. Showcase the world-renowned beauty and splendor of the coral reef ecosystem in the country, the diversity and richness of marine life that it houses, and the overall reef values and economic benefits of its sustainable management to the communities.

MOO 2013 Symbol

The 2013 Month of the Ocean’s iconic species is the Thresher Shark (Alopias pelagicus). It has large tail that is similar to an arc of a rainbow. The tail is so large that it accounts to an average of one-third of the shark’s weight. Thresher Sharks thrive in tropical and temperate waters and have been sighted in almost all of the oceans in the world. However, they can only be seen regularly in Monad Shoal in Malapascua Island in Cebu.

Thresher sharks are listed as VULNERABLE by the IUCN. Their high quality meat, fins and livers are in demand for several uses. There are various places in the country where shark fin trade is rampant.  Because Thresher Sharks are apex predators, their presence is an indicator that the ecosystem is in good health.

The corals forming the body of the Thresher Shark symbolize this healthy ecosystem that the shark signifies. Healthy corals are most magnificent when they are lively and colorful thus, the different colors that make up the shark’s body. It is important to realize that one less shark will eventually cause demise to the environment which at first may not be felt by us, humans.

The theme Ang Bahura ay Kagubatan sa Karagatan, Ating Pangalagaan emphasizes the need to protect our coral reefs, as it maintains the diversity of species, provides food for millions of Filipino people, and mitigate climate change, the same way our rainforests serve us.

 2013 MOO ACTIVITIES