| The
Philippine Postal Corporation will issue a stamp to support the importance
of the coastal and fisheries resources and to celebrate the Month of the
Ocean and National Fisher folk Day.
The
importance of Philippine coastal resources for food security, poverty alleviation
and employment, cannot be overemphasized. However, they are under serious
threats from over exploitation, causing both the depletion of resources
and degradation of natural habitats, and other unsustainable uses such
as pollution and fishing with explosives and poisons.
In
response to these threats, there are efforts underway and by now increasingly
adopted through the Local Government Units, with the support by different
line agencies, the academe, and non-government organizations. Coastal resources
management activities are implemented with the intensive participation
of communities and their people's organization. Important aspects or components
of coastal resources management are illustrated in the souvenir sheet:
1.
a
a |
Marine
sanctuaries or marine protected areas (upper left). Marine sanctuaries
are at present the best hope to conserve fish resources and protect the
natural habitats of fishes. Community capability building, information
and education activities, as well as advocacy are also part of the process. |
2.
a
a |
Reef
monitoring (lower left). This information is necessary to make decisions
not only on the selection of reefs for establishment of marine protected
areas, but also to monitor the increase of coral cover and to assess the
positive impact of conservation efforts. |
3.
a
a
a |
Mangrove
reforestation (upper right). Philippine mangrove resources have decreased
dramatically over the last decades due to production of firewood, charcoal
or other uses, and conversion into coastal fishponds. Mangroves are beneficial
in stabilizing coastlines, trapping sediments, and providing essential
feeding and nursery grounds for a large number of economically important
fish species. |
4.
a
a
a |
Seaweed
farming (lower right). Coastal communities depend on coastal resources
for food and income and they are more likely to protect and conserve if
they also gain sustainable benefits from these resources like seaweed farming
and other alternative livelihood or income diversification backed by technical
and entrepreneurial advisory services. |
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