International Journal of Environmental Science and Development

Abstract—This paper discusses the partial accomplishments of the countrywide roll-out of coral transplantation and coral nursery establishment using asexually reproduced transplantation materials to improve productivity of coral resources for sustainable fisheries and enhanced underwater tourism. One of the project sites in the country is in Bagac, Bataan, monitored by BPSU under the DOST-PCAARRD. BPSU is also monitoring another site in Subic, Zambales The project aims to aesthetically enhance damaged reef by undertaking coral restoration through transplantation of 25,000 fragments of corals or “corals of opportunities” (COPs) in two sites in Saysain, Bagac, Bataan within the said municipality’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) and within the coastal vicinity of Subic Bay, Zambales. The project has deployed 10 Coral Nursery Units (CNU) in Bagac and another 10 in Zambales with 500 COPs per CNU within a period of three months prior to transplantation. Direct transplantation was also conducted to compare results with those planted in CNUs. To date, more than 16,000 COPs have been planted in Bataan and Zambales (May 2015 to January 2016). After the completion of this project, it is envisioned that this will jumpstart coral restoration service industry by developing a pool of human resources for coral restoration and harness the full potential of the resources for underwater tourism and at the same time promoting science-based coral reef management. Pointers for a more successful implementation of the program are recommended.

Index Terms—Coral reef restoration, Philippine coral reefs, coral resources, sustainable fisheries, underwater tourism industry, marine research, coral transplantation.

Rudy C. Flores is with Bataan Peninsula State University, Office of Research, Extension and Auxiliary Services, City of Balanga, Bataan, Philippines (e-mail: rcf_abby121970@yahoo.com;).
Hermogenes M. Paguia, Romualdo de Guzman, Digna M. de Guzman, and Nomer N. Varua are with Bataan Peninsula State University, Office of Extension Services, City of Balanga, Bataan, Philippines (e-mail: hmpaguia@gmail.com, dignadeguzman0930@yahoo.com, nomer_varua@dlsu.edu, phnomer1202@gmail.com).

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Cite: Rudy C. Flores, Hermogenes M. Paguia, Romualdo de Guzman, Digna de Guzman, and Nomer N. Varua, "Application of Transplantation Technology to Improve Coral Reef Resources for Sustainable Fisheries and Underwater Tourism," International Journal of Environmental Science and Development vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 44-49, 2017.