Filipino surfing locale revives mangroves through ecotourism | News | Eco-Business

For decades, the area’s mangrove cover was reduced by destructive fishing methods like the use of dynamite and illegal deforestation for wood to bake bread or make charcoal.

Through replanting efforts, the Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve grew from 4,200 hectares of mangroves in 2012 to now more than 4,800 hectares, according to the local government.

The reserve was designated in August 2024 as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an international treaty named after the city in Iran where it was signed in 1971, that guides the conservation of wetlands around the world.

Nowadays, Longos climbs the reserve’s viewing deck to patrol against illegal fishers and cutters, for which he is paid an honorarium of 9,000 (US$158) pesos monthly. In his free time, he uses his fishing boat for paid tours around the mangrove reserve.

Del Carmen Mayor Alfred Coro said the stories of town fishers like Longos show that even small communities lacking resources can help stop environmental destruction.

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The most effective strategy was going to the communities and making them understand the science behind mangroves and conservation.

Gina Barquilla, environmental officer, Del Carmen

He said this requires gaining people’s support through education and ecotourism training and opportunities instead of policing.

“For the longest time, past leaders in Del Carmen were told that it was impossible to convince people to stop illegal mangrove cutting and illegal fishing,” said Coro.

He said it took them a decade to convince people to abandon illegal practices and appreciate mangroves.

Strapped of financial resources, he said the effort was done largely through house-to-house dialogues with fishers and community-based information campaigns about mangrove protection.

The tours were started by the local government, which now runs them with fishers’ groups. Fishers earn a portion of the tour fee, or about 400 pesos (US$6.99) per trip.

With the Ramsar recognition as of last year, however, the town is bracing for tourism growth and development.

More than half a million tourists visited Siargao in 2023 – the highest on record, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, drawn to its impressive waves and surfing spots since the sport started catching on in the 1980s.