BANANACUE
REPUBLIC
Vol II, No. 02
Jan 12, 2005
by Daphne Cardillo
ARCHIVE #010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Archive:
2004
2005
My attention has suddenly shifted to a worsening condition that is given little concern; the destruction of our sea and marine life. In recent years though, efforts were being made by volunteer organizations like the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and funding agencies like the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) in Coastal Resource management. Their projects however are localized that while WWF focuses more on conservation of the marine environment in specific areas of the country, GTZ concentrates on economic sustainability in the use of coastal resources in selected communities.
The Philippines is an archipelago linked by great waters surrounding our many islands. The surrounding seas sustain the life within--people, plants, and animals. The sea is our life, always taken for granted owing to its vastness and abundance, like the ever-present air we breathe. We get a great amount of food from the sea. We get non-edible products from the sea. We trade and travel through the sea. We hie off to relax near the sea. And lastly, and with a sigh of relief, we can throw our garbage to the sea.
But in the recent years our sea is in a serious state of ruin. It won't be long from this present generation that our sea will be dead; cannot anymore be fished by our men, cannot anymore be bathed by our children.
One major problem is siltation, wherein sandy sediments are being carried and deposited to the sea. This is mainly caused by the rampant destruction of our forests. The lack of trees that hold the waters from the rains and from the rivers of the mountains increases soil erosion. So does uncontrollable mining and quarrying. As a result, there is a gradual but constant flow of sediments that settle at the seabed. Living organisms under the sea are eventually covered by these sediments, which trap the sunlight that is essential for their growth.
The most greatly affected are the coral reefs. They are not only threatened with death and degeneration by siltation but with slow growth and reproduction. The existing coral reefs that abound our seas were formed millions of years ago, only to be diminished by 20th century Philippines. Further, it is reported that for coral reefs to regenerate, it would take at least fifty years--if left undisturbed. Take note, if left undisturbed. Coral reefs are the mating and the hatching ground for fishes, and also prevent the waves from making a big impact on the shores.
Another major problem is pollution. This is brought about by the dumping of both domestic and industrial waste to the sea. It is reported that domestic waste accounts for 40% of the pollution resulkting from the lack of an efficient sewerage system. As a consequence, a great amount of waste from households and business establishments finally ends up at the sea. Industrial waste that have toxic elements and are not biodegradable likewise find their way to the sea. The presence of waste creates an ecological imbalance, practically altering and threatening marine life.
Finally, illegal fishing results in the diminution of fishes in the nearby shores. Coral reefs are not only destroyed but fishes are untimely caught. One can see in the market very often of fishes in their spawning period along with the smaller ones that could have doubled or trebled in size if left alone to grow and mature.
Now all the problems raised about our dying sea are caused by man and therefore can be corrected. That is our hope. A hope that we can realize.
Posted 01/12/05. Send
your comment to bananacue_republic@yahoo.com
"The
Philippines is an archipelago linked by great waters surrounding our many
islands. The surrounding seas sustain the life within-- people,
plants, and animals. The sea is our life, always taken for granted
owing to its vastness and abundance, like the ever-present air we breathe."