The Tubbataha Reef

The name 'Tubbataha' is the Samal word for "long reef exposed at low tide". Samals are seafaring people of the Sulu Sea and are one of the few people who have accessed the Park in early1980's. Cagayanen people who are more geographically associated with Tubbataha Reefs referred the Park as 'gusong'.

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is home to some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world. Rising from the volcanic depths of the Sulu Sea in the western Philippines, these magnificent atolls encompass an astonishing diversity of marine life.

The park is an underwater sanctuary where nature can thrive. Tubbataha is the Philippines' only National Marine Park and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a place of global importance, being preserved for generations to come.

From majestic whale sharks to elusive seahorses - Tubbataha supports an unparalleled variety of marine creatures. Colourful reef fish crowd corals growing in the shallows while sharks and manta rays haunt the steep drop offs to the open sea.

This is a typically colorful reef view from Tubbataha Reef, located in the Sulu Sea about 110 miles east of Palawan Island, Philippines. At one time this dive spot was rated one of the top ten in the world. In the 1980's, Tubbataha suffered tremendous damage from exploitation by commercial and subsistence fishermen, often using destructive fishing techniques. The outlook was very bleak for Tubbataha when a commercial company proposed operating a large seaweed farm there (later beginning the operation without sanction anyway). Fortunately in 1988 the Philippine government intervened, finally declaring the location Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park, covering approximately 30,000 hectares. The illegal seaweed factory was shut down and since then the reef's condition is reported to have improved immensely.

The latest dive trip reports from Tubbataha indicate there is very little dynamite damage, with 100 per cent coral coverage. Fortunately the remote location of Tubbataha isolates the reef from the effects of soil runoff due to deforestation, which continues to devastate reefs near many of the Philippine islands.

Conserving such immense Park requires collaborative efforts. You can take your part in this meaningful task of protecting Tubbataha by donating to TRNP's operational fund, or directly to a specific program:

Enforcement

• As marine resources elsewhere dwindle, fishers are driven to take greater risks to illegally harvest within Park boundaries. Hence, the challenge of protecting the Park has not diminished through the years. The year-round presence of marine park rangers and their vigilance in detecting, arresting and prosecuting illegal use cases has served as the major disincentive for violating the no-take policy. Link to list of enforcement requirements

Information & Education

• As marine resources elsewhere dwindle, fishers are driven to take greater risks to illegally harvest within Park boundaries. Hence, the challenge of protecting the Park has not diminished through the years. The year-round presence of marine park rangers and their vigilance in detecting, arresting and prosecuting illegal use cases has served as the major disincentive for violating the no-take policy. Link to list of enforcement requirements Link to TRNP 3-year IEC Plan.

To make a donation, you may:

• Fill in the Donation Form, print it out, and send it along with your check or money order.
• Deposit fund to Tubbataha Dollar Account / Tubbataha Peso Account then email us filled in Donation Form.

To vote for Tubattaha reef as a new 7 wonder:

• go to www.new7wonders.com
  

source: www.tubbatahareef.org
images taken from google images of Tubbataha Reef
slide show edited with www.slide.com application