Case Study of Coral Collection and Trade in Cordova, Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines: Impacts and Options for Resource Management

Abstract

The study attempted to attain the following objectives: (1) to establish the existence of coral trade in the locality, (2) identify the reasons why fishermen, collectors and traders continue to harvest corals despite being illegal or prohibited by law, (3) explain the impacts of coral trade; and (4) present non-regulatory management options to address the problem. It was carried out between August and October 2003 in Barangay Day-as, Cordova, Cebu. Information was obtained from primary and secondary sources. Primary information was gathered from personal interviews of fishers, coral collectors and traders. Secondary information was gathered from literatures from government (i.e. LGU, BFAR) and non-government / non-profit organizations (i.e. TRAFFIC Southeast Asia and UNEP-WCMC). Furthermore, the data source that was used to assess the extent and dynamics of Philippine domestic and international trade of corals was the CITES Trade Database also known as Global Marine Aquarium Database (GMAD) managed by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre. The data gathered were descriptively analyzed using percentages, frequency and ranges. As a result of the study, coral trade was found to exist in Barangay Day-As, Cordova, Cebu. Impacts of coral collection and trading were identified and categorized into environmental and socio-economic. The main reason given by the respondents for violating the law on coral collection was to acquire additional income, to augment their meager incomes from fishing, their major source of livelihood. This practice has significantly reduced coral resources in the area. The collection of corals in the area is faster than its recovery, the trade has caused significant environmental and socio-economic impacts and has led to unsustainable levels of fishing. Non-regulatory management options to include locally feasible livelihood options were laid out to address the problems or issues in Barangay Day-As and ease harvest pressure from coral reef ecosystem and resources.