Reef Check Survey at Capitancillo, Bogo, Cebu

Capitancillo Island is an isolated island located northeast of Cebu province which belongs to the Municipality of Bogo. It is where one of the oldest lighthouses is located. Half of the island’s reef facing north has been declared a marine reserve. As part of the LGUs program in coastal ecotourism they requested Terence Dacles, a private marine consultant, lead the coral reef monitoring in Capitancillo. Reef Check in partnership with Mr. Terence Dacles sent survey teams coming from Sagay City, Negros Occidental conducted reef check survey in Capitancillo on the 18th to 21st of April 2005.

Alegre Beach Resort Sports and Security Personnel Trained to Survey Their Coral Reefs

 One of the top five star hotels and resorts in Cebu, the Alegre Beach Resort, welcomed Reef Check in October 23 to 24, 2004. The resort’s housereef is one of their major tourist attraction, and the management is committed to having their personnel trained in Reef Check. Marine Biologist Geraldine Sola, the resorts marine consultant and volunteer regional coordinator of Reef Check in the Philippines trained during the Southeast Asian Reef Check Trainers Training, assisted in the conduct the reef monitoring training to the sports and security personnel of the resort. Most of the 16 participants trained in Reef Check were recreational divers under the supervision of Marcelino Cruz III of Aqua Sports. The survey continued on December 18, 2004. Most of the indicator fish species were present and with a mean hard coral cover of 58% (click here to view full report *.pdf). One of the outputs of the survey was the recognition of an outbreak of Crown-of-thorns starfish the staff then planned out their activities towards conducting a series of crown-of-thorns collection activities.

Marine Biology for Non-Biologist Students from La Salle University Gets Reef Check Training

Students of Dr. Licuanan from La Salle University under his short marine biology course were trained on how to survey coral reef health last October 15-18, 2004 using the Reef Check Monitoring Protocol. Reef Check training was conducted at La Salle University, Shields Marine Station, Lian, Batangas. Trainees were composed of mixed professionals from film and television media, architecture, law enforcement and science. Dr. Hodgson got the chance to meet the group during the training. Actual survey was conducted twice in Talim Bay, which is still part of Lian, Batangas. The training was fun and the trainees all agreed to conduct future Reef Check activities and work towards finding ways to do their upmost to conserve Philippine reefs.