Grouper LRF Assessment in Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines

Grouper LRF Assessment in
Taytay Bay,
Palawan, Philippines
Benjamin J. Gonzales
Western Philippines University
Palawan
Commissioned by:
Palawan Council for Sustainable Development
November 18, 2015
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I.
Introduction
Fisheries management entails the management of both human and fisheries resources
with good governance (Palla et al 2015). In order to manage the fisheries, it is
necessary to have knowledge and information on species composition, species
distribution, fishing gears, fish landings, abundance, and spatial and temporal
occurrences. This information should be regularly available in order to detect changes
and know the trends and conditions of different fish populations and species in the
management area.
The LRF trade suffers several problems relating to the supply of wild-caught, marketsized fish and the improved prospects for increased mariculture to supply the industry
and meet consumer demand (Chan 2000). In addition, LRF operators estimated around
20% have ceased to operate caused by the spread of ciguatera poisoning which was
common in reef fishes especially the bigger size one. Because of this, demand for
smaller size of fish increased (Cesar et al 2000).
In the Philippines, the province of Palawan surfaces as one of the main suppliers
of live fish to this industry, especially supplying species belonging to the family
Serranidae, locally known as Suno. Live fish trader from Hong Kong made regular trips to
Palawan to collect coral grouper or Suno (Plectropomus leopardus) and humphead wrasse
(Cheilinus undulatus), but unlike early live fish operations in other South East Asian
countries, most of the catch was taken by Philippine rather than foreign fishers (Barber &
Pratt 1997).
Palawan produced 70 percent of the Philippines’ LRFT export, despite being only
one of 36 sources in the country. In Palawan, 16 of 23 municipalities were documented
as sources. However, due to economic and biological over-exploitation of coral reefs
and the environmentally damaging aspects of some harvesting techniques, including
cyanide fishing and targeting of spawning aggregations for live fish trade (Cesar et
al 2000), hence there was concern on the sustainability of supply for live fish trade.
Identified major transhipment points were the municipalities of Roxas, Taytay, and
Coron, all in northern Palawan, although there were also shipments coming from Balabac,
Magsaysay, and San Vicente (Salao et al 2013). However, Mamauag et al (2000) revealed
that the LRF industry in Coron was in the verge of collapsing in year 2000. With
this trend, it is likely that other LRF supply-areas will follow, if improper and
unsustainable harvesting is continuously practiced and mitigating actions are not
seriously taken. The existing exploitation and gathering practices and trends in other
LRF areas make them likewise vulnerable to collapse of Suno stocks in their respective
areas -just like in Coron (Palla et al 2015).
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Without proper conservation and management for the sustainable utilization of the
commodity fish, like Suno, LRF could easily vanish, which will affect thousands of
fishers and their families in Taytay Bay. In the above context, the municipality of
Taytay is aware that something has to be done to save the LRF of the bay in
particular and the bay fisheries in general.
In Palawan, fish catch studies were conducted in Honda Bay and Puerto Princesa
Bay (Gonzales 2004a, b) as prerequisites to the development of fisheries profile and
baywide management plan. The catch per unit effort (CPUE) data was further used
to evaluate the impact of a marine protected area in Honda Bay (Gonzales et al 2014). In
Taytay, recent studies on red grouper were done by Gonzales et al (2012 & 2013) and Palla
et al (2015).
On the other hand, the Republic Act 7611, otherwise known as the Strategic Environmental
Plan (SEP) for Palawan, took effect on 19 June 1992, Section 6 of which provides that the
SEP shall serve as the framework to guide the government agencies concerned in the
formulation of plans, programs and projects affecting the environment and natural
resources of Palawan, which is exercised by the Palawan Council for Sustainable
Development (PCSD).
Considering the demand for live grouper in the live reef fish for food trade, the province
of Palawan has become one of the major producers of these high-value fish species. Taytay
Bay specifically Biton Island, Black Rock and Tecas Reef hold great potential as source of
grouper fingerlings to supply the market (PCSD 2015).
Since PCSD needs further scientific information on the status of population of red grouper
in Taytay Bay, it partnered with WPU that has a pool of experts in biodiversity management
and sustainable use of natural resources to strengthen its research and technology
development strategies and to gain support in coming up with sound and science-based
policy and decision making. This assessment involved information on biophysical
conditions of red groupers and its habitat, and socio-economic conditions of the fishers in
the bay.
The outputs of this study hope to provide the required data/information to for as basis to
decide on policies regarding the sustain fish supply in Taytay Bay. Hence the objectives of
this study are:
1. Gather secondary data/information regarding biophysical and socio-economic profiles
of Taytay Bay;
2. Provide list of LRF grouper species in the Bay, and
3. Assess the stock of red grouper and give recommendations to sustainable harvest of
grouper LRF.
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II.
Methods
For the biophysical data and information, two types of assessment were used: fisherydependent and non-fishery-dependent. Fishery-dependent data was gathered by volume of
live fish landing, while fish visual census (FVS) modified from English et al (1997) was
used to gather non-fishery dependent data.
Socio-economic information was derived from available literatures regarding Taytay Bay
(Dolorosa et al 2014). Seasoned Taytay Bay fishers were interviewed to gather some
historical accounts of LRF in the Bay. The list and identification of grouper species
involved in LRF were based from Gonzales et al (2012 and 2013), which was augmented
and updated during the visits to Biton Island.
Benthic life forms and fish visual censuses following English et al (1997) LIT method were
done in three sites in Taytay Bay, namely: Biton Island, Black Rock Reef and Tecas Reef
as recommended by PCSDS. However, upon consultation with seasoned/veteran red
grouper LRF fishers in the bay, they also suggested to assess Maliao Reef as a good source
of live red groupers. In order to widen the survey area for the occurrence of P. leopardus,
we extended the fish census to 5m at both sides of the transect line, hence 10m area was
covered. A 100m transect line was used in each station, having 3 replicates of 30m
sampling length. Coordinates of surveyed stations are presented in Table 1. Results of
previous red groupers surveys done in Taytay Bay conducted by WPU and WPU-WWF
were also gathered to augment information in this study. Gonzales (2013) was used as
reference to identify species of groupers in the Bay.
Project scoping and orientation were done on September 4 and 8 at Poblacion and Biton
Island, respectively. The four-man team from WPU composed of fish and coral persons
went to Biton Island on October 3 to 5 and conducted benthic lifeforms and fish visual
census surveys in four sites.
Averages fish biomass, fish sizes, and number of individual were obtained per identified
fishing ground. This study adopted the fish weight categories practiced by the industry,
where over-sized fish was more than 1 kg in weight; good-sized fish was between .5 kg
and 1 kg; and under-sized fish was less than .5 kg. Undersized fishes were further classified
according to their rounded-off weights: 50g; 100g; 200g; and 400g, respectively.
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Figure 1. Map of Taytay Bay, Palawan, showing location where previous LRF data
was taken during Amihan months (Gonzales et al 2013).
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Figure 2. Map of Taytay Bay, Palawan, showing locations where previous LRF data
was taken: Biton Paly, and Hart Reef as main fishing grounds during Habagat months
(Gonzales et al 2012). Locations in yellow smile (
) were the stations surveyed in
this study.
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Table 1. Coordinates of recently assessed (fish and corals) stations in
Taytay Bay; 2015.
Station
Coordinates
Black Rock
10 48' 440''N
119 39' 340''E
Biton Island
10 48' 370''N
119 37' 370''E
Maliao Reef
10 53' 566''N
119 31' 143"E
Tecas Reef
10 54' 353"N
119 31' 063''E
CPUE of red grouper P. leopardus was determined, using the formula:
Total categorized weight of sample
CPUE
= ------------------------------------no. of boats/trips x no. of fishermen x no. of hrs. fishing
III.
REULTS AND DISCUSSION
3.1. Secondary data
3.1.1. There were only few recent socio-economic information on the fishers of Taytay
Bay. It was concentrated on the west barangays of Taytay Bay, mainly fishing also
in the waters of Taytay Bay, especially the vicinity of Tecas, Maliao Reef, Deno
Islandt, Apulit Island, etc. These barangays are Canique, Maytegued, and
Pamantolon. Hence in order to gain a good knowledge of the socio economic
condition of all LRF fishers, a similar study should be conducted in the Islands of
Biton and Paly.
Demographic, Economic, and Social Characteristics of Household Heads from the
Barangays of Canique, Maytegued, and Pamantolon in Taytay, Palawan (Dolorosa et al
2014)
Majority (72.9) of the coastal members belong to the age group of 49 years and below. The
youngest was 18 years old and the oldest was 73 years old. The mean age of coastal members was
41.3 years old.
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Most of (92.8%) of them were married. Only few were either single, widow(er), separated, or
single parent. This implies that household heads in the three barangays were mostly married.
The mean household size was around five members per household (5.1 members). This shows
that households in the three barangays have large household size. This is typical in coastal
barangays like the barangays of Canique, Maytegued, and, Pamantolon. This could also be
attributed to their lack of continuous access to electricity especially at nighttime. In addition, most
of the household heads in the barangays were married.
The members of the barangays have low educational attainment with most (85.5%) of them
reached only high school level and below. Only very few have completed their high school
education, attended or completed their college or taken vocational courses.
They come from various ethnic groups. Some of were Bisaya (46.9%) and Cuyunons (37.2%). A
few were Tagalog (13%), Bicolano (1.4%), and Agutaynen (0.5%). This shows that most
household heads in the barangays were migrants from other regions. This was true in the case of
the three barangays and the province of Palawan as a whole because Palawan was a resettlement
area.
Most (78.7%) of the household were involved in natural resource based economic activities as
their primary source of income. These were fishing (29.5%), seaweed farming (21.7%), and
farming (28.5%). Their heavy reliance on these economic activities could be attributed to the low
educational attainment of most of the household respondents. This is further aggravated by the
distant location of these barangays to the town proper of Taytay and the occasional trips of public
utility transport from these barangays to Poblacion, Taytay and vice versa.
Thus, it would be difficult for these respondents to deviate from farm based and marine based
economic activities as main source of income. Majority (56.0%) of the respondents generate a
monthly income of PhP 5,000 to PhP 9,999 from their main source of income. On the average, the
mean income of all the respondents is PhP 5,837.31 per month.
Majority (58.4%) of the respondents were also involved in farming, fishing, and in providing labor
and services as their other source of income. These closely resemble the main source of income of
most of the respondents. Thus, their involvement in these economic activities were also related to
their low educational attainment, distant location, and the infrequent trips of public utility
transports from these barangays to Poblacion, Taytay and vice versa. These factors limit their job
and livelihood opportunities to engage in. In addition to their income from primary sources, the
respondents earn an average monthly income of PhP 2,633.33 from other sources.
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On the average, the respondents spent a monthly expense of PhP 6,873.13 out of their average total
monthly income of PhP 8,470.64. This shows that very small portion of their total monthly income
was retained. Their low residual income per month was due to the low monthly income generated
from their main source and other source of income. On the other hand, their high monthly
expenditure could be attributed to the large household size of the respondents.
The respondents occupy residential lots with an average area of 322.4 m2. This shows that the
respondents occupy small residential lots. More than two-thirds (67.1%) declared that they own
the residential lots they occupy. Fifty respondents (24.2%) only act as caretakers of the said lots.
The respondents with farm lands have an average farm size of 2.15 hectares. Only 29 percent of
them owned their farm. Some were leaseholders (5.3%) while others were caretakers (16.9%) only.
Only one of them does not cultivate a permanent piece of land due to the practice of shifting
cultivation (kaingin). The small number of respondents who owned their farm lands can be
associated with the low monthly residual income of the respondents. The residual monthly income
of the respondents was barely enough to purchase additional assets such as farm land.
Most (84.5%) of the respondents owned their house. A few were only caretakers (6.3%) of the
house they were occupying or renting their houses (2.9%). Very few respondents have vehicles
like motorbike (19 respondents or 9.2%) and tricycle (9 respondents or 4.3%). These vehicles
were either owned (10.6 percent) or partially paid on an installment basis (2.9%). The inability of
most of the respondents to purchase vehicle can be attributed with the low monthly residual income
of the respondents. The low monthly residual income of the respondents is not even enough to pay
the amortization for a vehicle.
The lack of vehicles of most of the respondents and the occasional trips of public transport vehicles
from these barangays to Poblacion, Taytay and vice versa further limits their mobility to seek other
job or livelihood opportunities elsewhere.
Most (91.8%) of the respondents receive information from radio. Some (25.1%) of them access
information from television. This shows that most of the respondents have radios while some of
them have televisions. About 94 percent of the respondents get their information about their
respective barangays from announcements made by their barangays.
Most (90%) of respondents were members of various organizations. Majority of the respondents
are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social,
Welfare, and Development (DSWD). Others are members of fisherfolk association (BFARMC)
(17.4%), Kababaihan Ilaw sa Lahing Filipino (KISLAP) (7.7%), SAQOL (4.3%), Rural
Improvement Club (RIC) (3.4%), Sea K (2.9%), Senior Citizens (1.4%), and SLP (1%). This
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shows that there are various organizations existing in the barangays of Canique, Pamantolon, and
Maytegued.
Community development (93.7%) was the major thrust of most of these organizations. Some of
these organizations either provide livelihood projects (25.1%), quarterly allowance for education
and health of children (20.3%), or financing assistance (1%). Barangays problems were limited
supply of electricity (69.1%) was the foremost problem encountered by the respondents from the
three barangays. The same situation was experienced in the whole of Taytay municipality.
Another major problem was the poor road condition (59.4%) in the three barangays. Currently, the
roads going to and going out of barangay Pamontolon and Canique were dusty during dry season
and it was muddy during rainy season. However, the route going to Sandoval, the same route to
barangay Pamantolon and Canique were under construction in support of the future operation of
Sandoval airstrip. Some respondents also reported problems on water supply (49.3%) and illegal
fishing (46.4%).
There were 13 groceries existing across the three barangays. They were open from 10 to 12 hours
per day. There were11 schools in the three barangays. The sole hardware store and restaurant only
exist in barangay Canique. The hardware and the restaurant in the barangay operate 12 hours a
day. All the barangays have health centers.
Cell phone signals were available in three barangays. Among the three barangays, Maytegued has
the strongest cell phone signal. The barangays of Canique and Pamantolon have generallyweak
cell phone signal. Only selected spots of the two barangays have cell phone signals. Prepaid
loading stations are available in the stores in the three (3) barangays.
The road network from Poblacion, Taytay to Pamantolon and Canique were dirt road. However,
the road network was under construction because these two barangays were en route to Sandoval
airstrip. In addition, the barangays of Canique, Pamantolon, and Maytegued were strategically
located near the Sandoval airport.
The barangays of Pamantolon and Canique can be reached by tricycle, motorcycle, and jeepney.
There were only two trips of jeepney transport per day from Poblacion, Taytay and Pamantolon
and vice versa. Barangay Canique can be reached by boat and by land. But, boat transport takes
lesser hours of transport from Poblacion, Taytay to barangay Maytegued and vice versa.
Barangay Maytegued and Canique have existing ports. On the other hand, the port in barangay
Pamantolon was under construction. Supply of electricity in the three barangays only runs for 4-6
hours per day, while water supply was only available for limited time. In the barangays of
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Pamantolon and Canique, faucets were situated in each corner of the street for communal use. The
residents of the two barangays store water in drums while water was available.
In the barangay level, there are 10 institutions present in the three barangays. These are the
barangay level unit government in each of the three barangays, the eight social organizations, and
the Western Philippines University (WPU) in barangay Canique. Among the social organizations,
4Ps is the most active since direct financial assistance is received by the members from the
government through the DSWD. On the other hand, the BFARMC is also very visible in the three
barangays given the rich coastal and marine resources present in these barangays. This
organization was a BFAR initiated organization in each barangay that is task to protect the coastal
and marine resources under the jurisdiction of their respective barangay.
In the municipal level, there were five institutions existing in the municipality of Taytay, Palawan.
These are the local government unit (LGU) of Taytay, Palawan, Palawan State University (PSU),
and three cooperatives (i.e. Taytay, Palawan Municipal Employees Multi-purpose Cooperative,
Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) and Taytay Water District Cooperative). Among the
three cooperatives, the Taytay, Palawan Municipal Employees Multi-purpose Cooperative
(TPMEMPC) is the most active and visible cooperative at the municipal level.
Only the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) was the provincial level
organization that exists in the municipality of Taytay, Palawan. It is a provincial government
institution that is task to conserve, manage, develop, and properly use the environment and natural
resources of Palawan.
According to the households, the implementation of fishery laws (95.7%) and forestry laws
(94.7%) was greatly evident. The fishery laws implemented were embodied in the Fishery Code
and Municipal Fishery Ordinances formulated by the Sangguniang Bayan of Taytay. On the other
hand, the forestry laws implemented were based on the laws and administrative orders
promulgated by DENR.
In addition, some household head respondents (15%) also claimed that Wildlife Act was also
implemented in the three barangays. Very few of the respondents (3.4%) observed the
implementation of peace and order policies in the three barangays.
3.1.2. Taytay Bay LRF (Gonzales et al 2012 and 13)
The main LRF fishing grounds in 2012 were identified as Biton, Paly and Hart Reef. The fishing
gears used were handlines: Sibid, Undak, and Dayo. Twelve species of groupers under 4 genera
were recorded.
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Fifty seven-82% and 47% fishes weighing 100g and below were caught in Habagat and Amihan,
respectively. Only 6 and 6.09% of fish caught were mature in Habagat and Amihan respectively.
The large portion of the red groupers caught in the bay were young, which have not reached their
maturity stage of .5 kg and above, therefore have not yet spawned to contribute to the
replenishment of its wild population. The results indicate that there were few numbers of adult fish
in the wild population of red groupers in the area. Thus the remaining young populations should
be protected in order to ensure enough number of spawning individuals in the bay.
The main fishing grounds for LRF in Taytay Bay for the whole year are vicinities of Biton, Paly,
and Hart Reef; During Habagat, three handline gears are used by the locals; Sibid, Balikan, and
Dayo. The Dayo method is not used during Amihan period, fishers don’t fish overnight at Hart
Reef during Amihan; Habagat fish catch is more divers in species of red groupers and
miscellaneous fish species than Amihan fishing period.
Fishers did not catch good-sized red grouper during Amihan period, and only a minimal number
of good-sized fish during Habagat, indicating that there were few good-sized red groupers in the
fishing grounds, which may eventually affect their source of income; The scarcity of mature red
grouper individuals was not limited to Habagat (June to October) months only, but was also
observed during Amihan (November to January) fishing months. The mature red grouper
individuals in the bay were scarce whole year round, and may implicate depleted populations of
red grouper P. leopardus in the area. More studies should be conducted soecificically to the
scarsity of large individuals of grouper during Northest Monsson periods. Proper management
should intervene to promote the use of most efficient gear and method only, protection of identified
fishing areas of good sources of red groupers, and include protection of remaining red grouper
spawning guilds in the bay.
3.1.2. Apulit Island (Gonzales et al 2008)
Club Noah Isabelle furthered its concern for the environment by partnering with the Western
Philippines University to conduct resource surveys as basis for management in the island. Percent
hard coral (HC) cover in the area ranges from 71.25%-6.88%. The highest was recorded in Lopez
Reef; 71.25% and lowest at Platform which was located in front of the resort having only 6.88%
live coral cover and is considered poor.
The Platform Station was also the site with the highest percent cover of nutrient indicator algae
(NIA) (41.25%) composed of Sargassum spp. and Padina spp. and a red algae Peyssonelia sp. The
growth of corals was inhibited in waters with high nutrient content.
In other sampling stations such as Goose Breast and Goose Neck, hard coral cover were a bit high
compared to the other stations but associated life forms of high commercial value were also very
scarce. As observed in some stations, algae were starting to take over the area occupied by coral
reef. For example, the base of branching Acropora close to the resort has already been colonized
by Sargassum. In many stations, it has been noted that small colonies of corals are already being
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covered with Sargassum. If the same situation continues, coral polyps will eventually die and the
whole area will become a Sargassum bed.
The average density (6.81ind./100m2) of giant clams was a bit higher compared to that in Caramay
(0.7ind./100m2) and Green Island (1.5ind./100m2) but comparable to those from Tubbataha Reef
(4.4ind./100m2, Dolorosa and Schoppe 2005) and Malampaya Sound, Taytay, Palawan
(5.99ind./m2). However, the densities of commercially important coral associated invertebrates in
the area still indicate that the area still didn’t recover from the overexploitation in the past.
In terms of reef fishes, the reef fishes around Apulit Island can be classified as having high biomass
(wt), poor diversity (no. of species), and high in density (no. of individual/unit area) except the
Lopez Island reef which is considered as unprotected area?
The total number of species observed in six stations was 110, out of this 99 were identified to
species level belonging to 20 families. The families with high number of species were
Pomacentridae (Damsel), (30), Labridae (Wrasses), (25), Scaridae (Parrotfish), (12), and
Serranidae (Grouper) and Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfish), (6).
The total number of commercially valuable species was 53, comprising 48.38% of the total number
of species observed along the transect lines. Commercially important species include fishes
belonging to families of Labridae (Wrasses) (47.17%); Scaridae (Parrot fishes), (22.64%);
Serranidae (Groupers), (11.32%); Nemipteridae (Breams), (7.55%) Lutjanidae (Snappers),
(5.66%); Caesionidae (fusiliers) (3.77%); and Acanthuridae (Surgion fishes), (1.87%).
The total fish biomass was estimated at 371.65mt/km2. Noah’s Rock has the highest biomass,
132.29 mt/km2 followed by Platform Station (99.13 mt/km2). The high biomass in these two sites
may be attributed to the presence of large sizes of target species (e.g. Groupers, Snappers,
Sweetlips, and Caranx). Additionally, this finding can be also due to the proper resource
management and effective protection of the island.
Of the six stations surveyed, the Noah’s Rock Station had the most diverse fish species of 50
species/1,000 m2 followed by Goosebreast and Eastside Stations having 41 species/1,000 m2.
Platform area has 37 species/1,000 m2 . On the hand, Lopez Island rock was the least diverse among
the six sampling stations, 34 species/1,000 m2 . Noah’s Rock station’s fish diversity is lower than
that recorded in Tubbataha Reef (70 species/1,000 m2).
Five stations have still poor diversity 34-41 species/ 1000 m2, while only one station (the Noah’s
Rock) is categorized as moderately diverse, having 50 species/ 1000 m2.
The high coral cover in Lopez Station may be attributed to the location of the station, which is
protected from strong wave actions, while the reefs around Apulit Island are expose to Northeast
and Southwest Monsoons. However, the values of diversity and density/abundance of reef fishes
in the stations inside of Apulit Island are far better than in Lopez Station, which is outside Apulit
Island. This can be explained by the protection and regulation of the Apulit area from human
actions, which the Lopez Station does not have.
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As for the spawning of groupers, there were no spawning indicators observed in Goose Neck,
Goose Breast, Lopez Island, and East Side Stations, though individual and small groups of
groupers were noted. Spawning may occur in the Platform and Noah’s Reef Stations, but definitely
not spawning aggregates.
The Noah’s Reef Station showed some extent of indirect signs of spawning: swollen abdomen,
color pattern, but no spawning act and aggregation during the survey. There were individuals of
Plectropomus oligacanthus which exhibited color pattern and swollen abdomen. This coloration
might be for courtship and display by the male individuals.
During WWF dives, it was apparent that the dominant species were P. leopardus, but in our dives
it were its congener P. oligacanthus and another grouper A. leucogrammicus who dominated
Platform and Noah’s Rock Stations. This indicates that not only number of individual per species
changes during and before-after the aggregation, but also species composition. It would be
interesting to know the changes in fish composition of the identified spawning aggregate sites in
Apulit Island through time.
It could be that there were movements or migrations of spawning aggregates of different species
of reef fishes to their specific reefs to spawn – either single species or multiple-species spawning.
As for the seaweeds and seagrass, only two species of seagrasses were found in the vicinity of
Apulit Island. These were the Halophila ovalis and Cymodocea rotundata. These two species
occur only in patches and were not intercepted in the quadrats. Halophila ovalis and Cymodocea
rotundata were identified as pioneering seagrass species. The presence of these two species
indicated that the area was starting to be colonized by seagrass communities. It is expected that
climax seagrass species will soon inhabit the area if suitable environmental condition will prevail.
A total of 22 species of marine benthic algae were recorded from the sampling areas. These were
composed of six species of Chlorophytes (green algae), ten species of Rhodophytes (red algae)
and six species of Phaeophytes (brown algae).
Apulit Island macrophyte community can be classified as phaeophytan-dominated as indicated by
the dominance and abundance of the two Sargassum species. This is expected because of the
nature of substratum and prevailing water movement in the island. Compared to other areas in
Palawan where assessment of macrophytes had been conducted, Apulit Island shows low algal and
seagrass diversity. No disturbances of any kind however, in both macrophyte communities were
observed around the island.
3.1.3. Total Economic Value of Marine Resources in the Islands/Reefs of Taytay Bay
(Dolorosa et al 2014)
The estimated total economic value of the marine resources in the islands of Apulit and Pabellon,
Lopez Reef, and Tecas Reef is PhP 53,043,536.02 per year. This is based on the direct, indirect
and non-use values of the marine resources in the four island/reef sites. Among the numerous
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benefits that these marine resources provide, its recreational value to tourists had the highest
economic value of PhP 47,002,279.00 per year.
The value of fishery services of the coral reefs in the four island/reef sites was based on the
estimated fish production of the coral reef areas in the four sites at their current condition/quality.
The fish production estimates of the coral reef areas of the four island/reef sites were based on the
estimates of McAllister (1988) for fish production estimates per square kilometer (km2) for various
condition/quality of coral reefs.
This shows that the value of fishery services is dependent on the area and the quality/condition of
the coral reefs in the four island/reef sites. As the condition/quality of coral reefs in the four sites
improves (degrades), the value of fishery services of these coral reefs also increases (decreases).
The recreational value of the marine resources in the islands of Apulit and Noa Noa is the estimated
expenditures of the island resort in each island in policing a one (1) kilometer radius area around
each island. Their expenditures in policing a one (1) kilometer area around these islands show that
they value the protection and conservation of marine resources around the vicinity of the two
islands.
3.1.4. Some historical accounts of LRF in Taytay Bay
According to fishers, LRF in Taytay Bay started when there was buyer of live good size groupers
kept in aquaria in Talakainen Island in 1997. Actual use of floating cage to keep good size live
groupers started in Biton Island in 1998, while culture from small to good size individuals started
in the same island in year 2000.
They claimed that fish caging in Biton started after several fishers attended extensive training on
”Non-traditional Education for Middle –level Coastal Resource Managers of Palawan in the
summer of 1998, conducted by the State Polytechnic College of Palawan - Aquatic Science and
technology (SPCP-ASTI), now WPU, in partnership with the NGO-Tambuyog Inc, where they
gained knowledge and skills on using fish cages for livelihood.
Pali Island was known for LRF location in Taytay Bay. According to traders Biton Island traders
supply 80-85% of small live fish to Pali Island for grow-out culture. Biton LRF fishers gather
undersize fishes not only in Taytay, but also in other parts of the country and sell it to Paly Island
cagers.
At present, LRF fishers of Taytay venture as far as Nangulao, Linapacan to gather source of small
groupers. P. Leopardus. As observed by the cagers, suno spawns from June to September or March
to September. In these months, they observed mature individuals to be pale pink in color and don’t
consume the food given to them.
15
According to seasoned live fish fishers, red groupers go out of their shelters to feed during sunrise
and sunset. This observation was also manifested other studies on fishes biology. This is also
observed in Ulugan Bay on P. leopardus.
3.2. Grouper Species in Taytay LRF
Table 2. List of live grouper species and miscellaneous species caught in
Taytay Bay.
Grouper Species
1. Anyperodon leucogrammicus
2. Aethaloperca rogaa
3. Cephalopholis boenak
4. Cephalopholis cyanostigma
5. Cephalopholis microprion
6. Epinephelus fasciatus
7. Epinephelus maculatus
8. Epinephelus merra
9. Epinephelus ongus
10. Plectropomus maculatus
11. Plectropomus oliganthus
12. Plectropomus leopardus
13.
Other species
Abalistes stellaris
Caranx sexfasciatus
Cheilinus fasciatus
Choerodon anchorago
Gymnocranius frenatus
Labracinus cyclophthalmus
Lethrinus ornatus
Lutjanus spp
Oxycheilinus diagrammus
Parupeneus spp
Pentapodus emeryii
Scolopsis xenochora
Synnodontidae
Table 3. List of live miscellaneous species caught by three kinds of handlines in
Taytay Bay, Palawan during Habagat months
Other species: 1. Parupeneus cyclostomus, 2. Scolopsis affinis, 3. Pentapodus
emeryii, 4. Pentapodus macrurus, 5. Caesio xanthonotus, 6. Lethrinus
erythropterus, 7. Lethrinus litjan, 8. Lithrinus ornatus, 9. Lutjanus vita, 10.
Lutjanus corponotatus, 11. Gymnocranius freniatus, 12. Balistapus undulates, 13.
Thalassoma lunare, 14. Oxycheilinus diagrammus, 15. Labracinus
cyclophthalmus, 16. Chaerodon anchorago, 17. Cheilinus chlorourus, 18.
Cheilinus fasciatus.
16
3.3.Grouper Stock Assessment in Taytay Bay
Table 4. Numbers of fish family, species, individuals, target species, major family, indicator
species, biomass and number of P. leopardus per station surveyed in this study
Target Major Indicator Biomass P. leopardus;
Station
Family species Indv. species family species (mt/km2)
size (cm)
3 (20)
Black Rock
11
37
684
13
14
10
130.68
5 (18)
Biton
9
54
1226
12
11
31
281.38
8 (18)
Maliao
11
47
765
10
20
17
88.7
2 (20)
Tecas
9
38
624
8
13
17
69.66
The results of fish visual census revealed that the four stations have similar ffish family
diversity (Table 4). Biton station has the highest species diversity of 54, while black roock
having the lowest of 37 species (Table 4). In terms of biomass Biton Station still was the
highest and Tecas still the lowest. These differences can be attributed to the coral reef
condition in the stations wherein Biton has higher percent cover than Tecas. Furthermore
Tecas Reefs were dominated by algae, while Biton has relatively healthy and divers reef
(Figs. 5&6).
As for the number of P. leopardus observed by FVC, Maliao Station has the highest
number (Table 4). However for the extended FVC, the most number of P. leopardus was
in Biton (Table 5). There were also varied sizes of suno observed in all stations, but mature
fish was only noted in Tecas Reef Station (Table 5 & Fig. 6).
Table 5. Station, water depth, number of individuals and length of grouper LRF species
observed in 10x100 (1000m2) area per station
Station
Depth Grouper LRF Species
No. of
Estimated
Estimated
(m)
Individual Length (cm) diversity/m2
Black Rock
9
P. leopardus
1
8
1
12
1
15
P. Oligacanthus
A. leucogrammicus
other species
17
3
20
1
1
3
8
20
5
Biton
3-7
P. leopardus
2
1
3
1
1
1
6
1
1
1
2
2
2
300g
500g
20
15
12
5
18
10
12
20
18
15
13
P. oligacanthus
1
1
9
12
15
18
P. leopardus
2
20
1
40
A. leucogrammicus
P. Oligacanthus
Maliao
6-10
Tecas Reef
23
Table 6. Running number of mature and young P. leopardus found in each station
P. leopardus
Young
Mature (>39 cm)
Black Rock
6
0
Biton
14
1
Maliao
0
0
Tecas
3
0
In terms of live hard coral cover (Fig. 7), Maliao Reef and Biton Island have relatively higher
cover than Tecas and Balck Rock (Figs. 5&6), and Maliao Reef has more dead corals than Biton
(Table 7).
Fishers were observed in 3 sites during the survey. They were using simple handline to catch P.
leopardus. There were 12 fishers onserved in Black Roc, while three in the area of Tecas and
Maliao Reefs. The presence of fishers manifests that these areas were fishing ground for suno (Fig.
4).
18
Table 7. Relative frequency of other substrate categories in the
four stations.
Maliao
Biton
Tecas
Black
Substrates
Reef
Island
Reef
Rock
44%
40%
32%
28%
HC
1%
1%
1%
1%
SC
0%
46%
0%
1%
0%
3%
2%
2%
1%
0%
1%
AA
DC
DCA
HA
MA
OT
R
RCK
S
SI
SP
1%
36%
17%
1%
0%
1%
1%
0%
3%
0%
0%
0%
6%
40%
0%
5%
4%
1%
0%
0%
10%
2%
3%
2%
46%
0%
16%
1%
1%
0%
2%
0%
1%
50%
44%
40%
Relative Frequency
(%)
40%
32%
28%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Maliao reef
Bitun Island
Tecas Reef
Black Rock
Figure 3. Percent live coral cover in four stations assessed in Taytay
Bay.
19
Figure 4. LRF Fishers using simple hook and line in Black Rock area, Taytay Bay
Figure 5. Underwater photograph of Biton Station (left), with marine turtle on top
photograph; underwater photograph of Black Rock Station (right), with young P.
oligacanthus grouper on top photograph.
20
Figure 6. Underwater photograph of Maliao Reef (left) with young P. oligacanthus on top
photograph; underwater photograph of Tecas Reef (right) with mature P. leopardus in
large foliose coral on top photograph.
IV Conclusion
1. There was very comprehensive socio-economic data on the barangays located west of
Taytay Bay. But there was absence of such data in the southern barangays and islands
of Taytay Bay, where many communities were with the LRF industry.
2. There were 12 species of serranids (groupers) used in LRF in Taytay Bay, regardless
of monitary value, and three belongs to Genus Plectropumus, true LRF species.
3. Most of the suno catches were young and very few were mature individuals. LRF is
still existing in Taytay Bay. Individulas of P. leopardus can be observed in the reefs.
21
However, most catch are small. Fishers now venture to other municipalities to catch
suno. Other information to be provided in the Final Report will be:
a. final data on landings of matured fishes in the field and estimate its density in coral
reefs of Taytay.
b. Average size of fish catch to be compared to previous studies (if applicable) to
know status of suno population relative to policy decisions.
c. compute for the catch per unit effort and length frequencies of fish landings.
V.
Recommendations
1. A socio-economic study should be done in the southern islands and barangays
of Taytay Bay, specially involved in LRF industry.
2. Start to think about alternative species for LRF;
3. More recommendation on policy basis will be provided as soon as the data
processing and analysis are completed.
22
Appendix 1.Number, estimated weight and length of live P. leopardus landed in Biton
Island from April to October 2015. November data on-going
Date
Species
April 20, 2015
Suno
Weight
Standard
Estimate (g) Length (cm)
Total
Weight (g)
Number of
individual
16
44
10
6
9
0.05
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
<10
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
4,400
2000
1,200
3,600
April 30, 2015
Suno
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
3,600
3,000
1,500
1,200
May 15, 2015
Suno
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
3,200
2,200
1,800
1,200
36
15
5
3
144
32
11
6
3
May 20, 2015
Suno
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
5,600
3,000
3,000
2,000
56
15
10
5
May 28,2015
Suno
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
4,100
3,800
1,500
2,000
June 5, 2015
Suno
0.1
0.2
0.3
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
3,700
3,600
3,300
41
19
5
5
208
37
18
11
June 14, 2015
Suno
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
5,600
4,000
3,000
2,000
56
20
10
5
June 29,2015
Suno
0.1
10-12
7,100
71
23
0.2
0.3
0.4
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
6,000
3,000
2,000
July 6, 2015
Suno
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
6,800
6,000
3,000
2,000
30
10
5
273
68
30
10
5
July 18, 2015
Suno
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
3,600
2,800
2,400
800
36
14
8
2
July 26, 2015
Suno
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
7,300
7,000
4,800
3,200
August 3, 2015
Suno
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
3,100
3,000
1,800
1,200
73
35
16
8
305
31
15
6
3
August 10, 2015
Suno
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
6,200
5,000
3,600
2,400
62
25
12
6
August 16, 2015
Suno
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
2,900
2,000
1,200
800
29
10
4
2
August 21, 2015
Suno
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
6,700
6,400
6,000
1,600
67
32
20
4
August 30,2015
Suno
0.1
0.2
10-12
12.1-15
6,200
5,400
62
27
24
September 4,
2015
September 11,
2015
September 18,
2015
September 24,
2015
September 27,
2015
September 27,
2015
September 30,
2015
Suno
Suno
Suno
Suno
Suno
Suno
Suno
0.3
0.4
15.1-19
19.1-23
5,400
3,200
0.1
10-12
3,400
18
8
443
34
0.2
0.3
0.4
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
3,000
3,000
2,000
15
10
5
0.1
10-12
5,000
50
0.2
0.3
0.4
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
4,2000
3,600
1,200
21
12
3
0.1
10-12
2,850
20
0.2
0.3
0.4
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
1,800
1,800
400
9
6
1
0.1
10-12
4,000
40
0.2
0.3
0.4
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
4,000
1,800
1,200
20
6
3
0.1
10-12
3,000
30
0.2
0.3
0.4
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
2,300
300
400
11
1
1
0.1
10-12
700
7
0.2
0.3
12.1-15
15.1-19
3,000
3,000
15
10
0.1
10-12
7,500
75
0.2
0.3
0.4
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
5,000
3,000
2,000
25
10
5
25
0.1
0.2
0.3
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
3,400
1,800
1,400
445
34
9
4
October 4, 2015
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
6,300
5,600
3,900
2,800
63
28
13
7
October 8, 2015
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
6,500
4,000
3,600
800
65
20
12
2
October 12, 2015
0.1
0.2
0.3
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
4,500
6,800
3,000
45
34
10
October 15, 2015
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
3,900
2,800
2,100
800
39
14
7
2
October 19, 2015
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
3,100
4,000
2,400
2,000
31
20
8
5
October 23, 2015
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
6,100
11,200
5,700
6,400
61
56
19
16
October 26, 2015
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
5,700
2,600
7,800
5,600
57
38
26
14
October 28, 2015
0.1
0.2
10-12
12.1-15
7,600
6,400
76
32
October 2, 2015
Suno
26
October 30, 2015
0.3
0.4
15.1-19
19.1-23
5,700
5,200
19
13
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
10-12
12.1-15
15.1-19
19.1-23
8,100
7,400
6,900
7,200
81
37
23
18
1058
27