BALER, Aurora , Philippines – A marine research center that would conduct continuing research

and experimentation on the culture and propagation of native marine species and develop high-
value products from endemic marine and aquatic species in the province has been set up in this
capital town.

Sen. Edgardo Angara said that Aurora Marine Research Center has been established in
coordination with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, National Museum, Aurora State
College of Technology and the Inter-Agency Committee on Marine Research Center.

Angara said with its 330-kilometer coastline, steady rainfall, rich collection of flora and fauna and
Hawaii-like weather, the province has natural growth potentials for fisheries development with the
AMRC, a perfect complement to the province rich marine resources.

AMRC, was created through R.A. 9441 authored in the Senate by Angara and in the House of
Representatives by House Deputy Majority Leader Juan Edgardo Angara. He said the AMRC would
seek t improve existing technology for maximizing income potentials of the coastal community and
the fishing industry and encourage the culture of marine species native to the province.

He said that major fish species abound in the province from Dilasag to Dingalan such as blue marlin,
lobster, octopus, tuna and even reef fishes. In addition, the province has five marine protected areas
in Dibut MPA, Dibutunan MPA, Diguisit-Puntin Marine Protected Area and the Ditangol and
Mapalad-Dibaraybay Fish Sanctuaries.

The setting up of the AMRC followed the launch in 2007 of the Philippine Marine Biodiversity Project,
a survey or census of marine life, of deep-water benthic fauna of the Northeastern Pacific Seaboard
covering the province and Quezon aboard the MV research vessel of the Department of Agriculture
and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

AMAVE focuses its efforts on charismatic marine megafauna, using it as an umbrella species to
protect the wider marine environment. We identify hotspots and quantify populations of
species including whale sharks, turtles and other animals. We use technology, such as satellite
and acoustic tags to help determine key habitat sites, home ranges and migratory
corridors of marine species. The results are shared with governments and stakeholders, to
work together to minimise impacts and develop tools for conservation management such as
creating or zoning marine protected areas or advising policy. For more information, check out
our latest publications, or click on the animal icons to learn more about species specific
research.

CI-Philippines, First Gen Corp., and FPCI would work together on the Verde Island Integrated
Conservation and Development Program to prevent habitat destruction, through strict law
enforcement and population management.
The three organizations have begun the first phase of the conservation program in December 2004
with Verde island as the pilot area.

"The Verde Island Passage is one of the country’s richest fishing grounds and top tourist
destination," the CI-Philippines noted.

"The presence of port and energy facilities (like oil, gas, and geothermal) plus unsustainable fishing
methods, including illegal and destructive fishing, pose a grave threats to the marine resources of
the area," it added.

According to the CI-Philippines, threatened species include sea turtles like hawksbills, olive ridleys,
and green turtles; humphead wrasses, giant groupers and giant clams that thrive in the Verde Island
Passage.

The area has more than 300 species of corals, which is considered one of the largest concetratgion
of corals in the country.

Carpenter’s diving trips in many parts of the country revealed that Verde Island has the highest
number of species, thus declaring it the Center of Marine Shorefish Biodiversity.

He particularly noted the rare red fin wrasse (cirrhilabrus rubripinnis) thrives in Verde Island.

Carpenter stressed that there is an urgency to ensure the preservation of the marine resources in
the area.

He said illegal fishing persist despite existing laws in the Philippines which could solve the problem.

He warned officials of the unregulated shipping lanes that pass through marine biodiversity corridors
in the country like Guimaras island which was hit by a massive oil spill last Aug. 11.

Verde Island Passage is a popular domestic sea route connecting Batangas, Marinduque, Mindoro
Occidental, Mindoro Oriental and Romblon.

"The Philippines is in the crossroads and it needs to take advantage of that in terms of economic
support," Carpenter said.

In 2005, a study by Dr. Kent Carpenter, IUCN Global Marine Species Assessment coordinator, and Victor Springer
of the Smithsonian Institute revealed that the Verde Island Passage, situated between the province of Batangas and
the island of Mindoro, Philippines, contained a high concentration of marine species per unit area. The vErde Island
Passage Marine Corridor (VIPMC) thus merited the distinction of being the center of the center of the world's marine
shorefish diversity, having 1, 736 overlapping marine species over a 10-kilometer area, the highest concentration of
marine life in the world.
In response to this urgent call, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, during the National Biodiversity
Conference held on November 8, 2006, issued Executive Order No. 578 establishing the national policy on
biodiversity. This was to be implemented throughout the country, particularly in the Sulu Sulawesi Marine Ecosystem
and highlighting and prescribing the policy implementation in the Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor.
The VIPMC, which consists of the coasts, islands, and waters of the five provinces of Southern Luzon,
namely, Batangas, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Marinduque, and Romblon, is acritical marine corridor
which facilitates exchange and migration of species and nutrients across corridor waters. As the center of the center
of marine shorefish diversity, the VIPMC has a high concentration of species per unit area and indicates that a
number of unique communities in the area support this multitude of species, some of which are endangered and
threatened. Coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, fishes and charismatic marine species in the area confirm this fact.