PGLU-ENRO Spearheads Month of the Ocean and International Biodiversity Day Celebration 2021
By: Grace Libong, GPC-ENRO | Photos By: GPC-ENRO | Date: May 21 and 28, 2021
In celebration of the Ocean Month and International Biodiversity Day 2021, the Provincial Government of La Union conducts the SCUBAsurero Ocean Clean-up Program on May 21 and 28, 2021 at Fish Sanctuary, Pagdalagan, Bauang, La Union and Kasay Marine Protected area San Agustin and Canaoay, City of San Fernando, La Union. 25 SCUBA Divers collected approximately 87 kilograms (wet weight) solid wastes. Out of these, 12 kilograms from underwater and shoreline of Pagdalagan Fish Sanctuary while 75 kilograms collected beneath kasay MPA, San Agustin, CSFLU.
In celebration of the Month of the Ocean (MOO) and International Biodiversity Day (IBD) 2021, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) conducts the SCUBAsurero Ocean Clean-up Program on May 21 and 28, 2021 at Fish Sanctuary, Pagdalagan, Bauang, La Union and Kasay Marine Protected area (MPAs) San Agustin and Canaoay, City of San Fernando, La Union.
The activity, which aims to remove wastes and/or debris under water as well as to document diversity and status of life within the MPAs, is promoting the Provincial Government of La Union’s #KalikasanNaman campaign on fostering ecological integrity and clean and healthy environment.
As an output, 25 SCUBA Divers collected approximately 87 kilograms (wet weight) solid wastes. Out of these, 12 kilograms from underwater and shoreline of Pagdalagan Fish Sanctuary while 75 kilograms collected beneath kasay MPA, San Agustin, CSFLU.
Most waste collected were residual wastes such as plastic wrappers/packaging, sachet, cloth, diapers, napkins, plastic spoon/fork, rubbers/footwears as well as recyclable waste like metals, tin cans, and bicycle spare parts/wires.
Observed biodiversity in the area includes different types of fishes, corals and seaweeds belonging to genus of green, brown and red algae like Sea grapes, Sea cactus, Spindle weed, Sea Sponge and others. Observed fishes includes Ampig, Dalagang bukid, Bagsang, Kitkit, Balaki, Sungayan, Moorish Idol, Butterfly fish and Moral Eel. Likewise, observed coral reef species include lettuce Corals, Mound and Boulder Corals, Flower Pot Coral, Table Coral and other associated marine organisms like Sea Anemone and giant clamp. A coral-eating starfish, Crown-of-thorns is also observed in part of Kasay MPA (Canaoay) to be removed.
The SCUBAsurero team was composed of divers from the Provincial Government-Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO), Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist- Fishery Division. They were joined by the City-ENRO, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Coast Guard/Axillary and the Local Government of Bauang, La Union.
