Philippine paradise reef remains intact even though the world is in danger

When corals in the world are dying, the heart of the Philippine Sea is still beating.

While most of the world's coral reefs are at risk of being bleached because of acidified seawater, Tubbataha of the Philippines remains intact. Thanks to conservation efforts, Tubbataha is currently the best diving site in the world.

A true paradise

In 1981, Angelique Songco first visited Tubbataha coral reef . Immediately, she was overwhelmed by the unimaginable beauty. " Although there is no understanding of ecological value, but I believe that wonderful beauty must be protected" - Songco shared with the International Nature Protection Fund (WWF).

Dense fish populations in Tubbataha.

To fulfill her ideals, Songco registered as manager of Tubbataha National Park in 2001. Since then, she has devoted her entire life to protecting coral reefs.

Songco's efforts are well-respected. While almost the whole world is suffering from bleached, destroyed coral reefs, Tubbataha is still as sparkling as the day she first met them.

Tubbataha has 600 species of fish and 360 species of coral.

In May 2017, when photographer David Doubilet (USA) visited Tubbataha, he had to utter astonished: "The first thing you realize is that this is the wild nature".

At Tubbataha, at a depth of about 100 meters is a paradise filled with fish and corals. Stingray crawls on the seabed. Leopard sharks swim into flocks. Tubbataha has up to 600 species of fish and 360 species of coral.

Two small Tubbataha islands are also home to about 100 seabirds. All signs are proof that Tubbataha is still in the most primitive state of marine ecology."Really miraculous" - biologist John McManus (USA) said.

Timely preservation

The harmony between people and nature is a prominent feature in the Coral Triangle - a very prosperous sea in Southeast Asia. However, fishing and marine vehicles are gradually destroying the ecosystem here.

And Tubbataha, that "girl" avoids this fate because of the isolation.

About 100 species of Philippine seabirds live in Tubbataha.

Tubbataha is located near the Sulu Sea Center - about 145 km from the residential area. The two islands of Tubbataha also do not have fresh water, not suitable for people to stay.

In the 1980s, local fishermen used small boats with engines, carrying out fishing in the richest waters of the Philippines. However, natural activists immediately demanded that the government take appropriate protective action. By 1988, President Corazon Aquino stipulated Tubbataha as a national marine park.

This is also the first marine park in the Philippines.

This is also the first marine park in the Philippines. Five years later, UNESCO registered Tubbataha on the World Heritage List.

Of course, it is impossible to be indispensable for Songco. During the past 16 years, she enthusiastically built and promoted the support of the community for the preservation of Tubbataha. People even called her a "fairy" in favor of marine ecological conservation.

Thanks to the ban on marine resource exploitation at Tubbataha, accompanied by a cross-border trade limit order, Tubbataha ecology is completely protected. Besides, the security is extremely strict. Some employees are members of the Philippine military working since 1995.

Tubbataha is considered the most beautiful diving place in the world.

Currently, Tubbataha is considered as the most beautiful diving place in the world, attracting numerous visitors. Compared to the benefits from fishing, tourism benefits more. The tourism industry at Tubbataha also agreed to share revenue to support local authorities.

In addition, Tubbataha also helped increase Philippine seafood production, accounting for 29% of the total. According to biologist Angel Alcala, the sea currents passing through Tubbataha bring countless larvae to the rest of the Sulu Sea, supplementing food sources, thereby ensuring the survival of marine life.

But there is still a risk in the future

Although conservation work is highly effective in Tubbataha, the challenge is still there. Stealthy poachers seek, trap seabirds, steal eggs . Illegal fishing is more or less happening.

Other events also cause corals to be damaged. As in 2013, naval ships sweeping US mines stuck on the Tubbataha reef caused nearly 2000m ² of coral damage.

However, climate change carries the greatest risk. No matter how good the work of Tubbataha is, it is impossible to prevent the Sulu Sea from heating up or gradually acidifying. The change of the sea leads to the change of coral reefs, leading to bleaching phenomenon, like what happened to (Australia).

The bleached coral section at the Great Barrier.

A recent warning by UNESCO said that by 2040, world coral reefs face major risks at least twice per decade. If the increase in CO2 continues, even Tubbataha cannot avoid the "death sentence".