When I go diving — and I’m sure most, if not all, scuba divers will concur — seeing marine life in its magnificence is more than enough validation for all the expense, energy and effort put into the activity. For many like me, being in the ocean is a remarkable stress reliever, despite the potential dangers posed by an environment that’s not meant for humans. What most people don’t realize is, man poses an even greater danger to the marine ecosystem.

Each time our dive boat approaches the target site, I feel a surge of happiness, because scuba diving allows me to commune with nature in such an intimate way that takes my breath away. But at the same time, my heart is gripped by guilt. In Davao, as in many other places where people visit the sea, dive boats drop anchor as a matter of course. Each time the anchor finds purchase, coral reefs pay for it with their lives.

Death from above

The variegated coral colonies that divers take pleasure in seeing underwater are in an extremely delicate predicament. Our presence, even when borne out of pure intentions, harms them. It is ultimate irony: we enjoy seeing marine life in their own milieu, but we vandalize it little by little when we’re there. As Dabawenyo diver-photographer Bing Peña put it, “We are part of the problem,” as he took a picture of the boat’s anchor during one of our dives.

Coral reefs are vital to the future of our food security. Coral colonies build reefs that provide shelter and sustenance to thousands of species of fish and other marine organisms. These, in turn, are sources of food for fish higher up in the food chain, such as groupers, marlin, tuna. And now, the occupant of the top position in the food chain is wreaking havoc in the balance not only by overfishing the seas, but also by destroying the very foundation that supports an entire ecosystem.

As far as I am aware, there has been no comprehensive study made on the state of Davao Gulf’s reefs. Taking the entire country into account, however, it has been reported that only 5% of Philippine reefs remain intact. That is a serious threat that we must not continue to ignore.

The solution might be simple: stop boats from dropping anchor. In fact, concerned Dabawenyos installed mooring buoys in some of the more popular dive sites back in the 1990s, to try and accomplish just that. And yet, nothing seems to be progressing in the solving of this problem. At the Coral Garden dive site off the coast of Talikud Island, I have seen a mooring anchor (solid base affixed to the seabed and connected to a buoy), but absent the buoy to which boats bringing divers and beachgoers can tie off. Some old-timers told me that the buoys had long been stolen.

The Coral Garden used to be a fantastic dive site. Now it’s only a good dive site, because it still offers beautiful sights of huge coral heads and spritely colorful salt-water fish, but the underwater seascape is scarred by swathes of dead coral. And loss of habitat translates to an ecosystem on the verge of collapse. I wish there were a definitive study of the gulf’s fish biomass density, because I’m pretty certain the numbers would point to the reason why we rarely see tuna or dolphins in the area, unlike before….

Mooring buoys

Scuba diving, island-hopping and other such pastimes are profitable tourism activities for any locality. In the Davao Gulf, this is particularly true for the Island Garden City of Samal’s main island, Talikud Island and Liguid Island. Every week and practically the whole year round (because the Davao Region enjoys typhoon-free tropical weather), Samal’s beaches and reefs accommodate thousands of tourists. Dozens of 50- to 70-footer outrigger boats, most powered by powerful diesel engines designed for 10-wheeler trucks, ply the waters between Davao City and the islands, ferrying people and their accoutrements to white-sand beaches and dive sites.

One can only imagine the stresses on coral reefs that people and boats cause each day, without even counting the unchecked destructive fishing practices of local fishing communities.

Economic activity cannot possibly be halted: no sane businessman or government official would willingly put a stop to boats from operating, or tourists from coming. The logical step forward, therefore, would be to revisit the brilliant idea of installing mooring buoys in all dive sites.

In order to render it completely unnecessary for boats to drop anchor, mooring buoys will have to be deployed at or very near dive sites. They must be built to specification: that is, they must be able to accommodate the type of outrigger boats operating in the gulf, and should last long enough to be cost effective.

Mooring buoy

And speaking of cost, I believe that the Samal and Davao City governments should jointly finance this crucial undertaking. The former has direct responsibility over its jurisdiction and should therefore bear the burden of policing it; and the latter is, without a doubt, the source of much of Samal’s traffic. Both, in any case, benefit from the gulf and its riches, and should for that reason be responsible for its upkeep.

Both local government units must then enforce ordinances banning the use of anchors by outrigger boats, private yachts and speedboats (except, perhaps, in emergency situations).

Local communities near dive sites where the mooring buoys are to be installed must be engaged as well. To prevent theft and tampering of the buoys, the locals must be apprised of their importance to the marine ecosystem. With awareness comes empowerment and a sense of ownership. Once the local communities are made aware of the role coral reefs play in their security and well-being, I believe they will act to protect the mooring buoys and possibly even help report on errant anchor-dropping boats.

Positive action

Mooring buoys are only one feat. The next steps should involve constant monitoring of coral reefs in the Davao Gulf and the rest of the country. It may even be necessary at some point to restrict entry to heavily damaged areas for rehabilitation purposes. Sacrifice is painfully necessary from us, so that future generations will be assured not only of having the chance to enjoy vibrant marine life, but also of long-term food security.