26 April 2007
By Ephraim Aguilar
Monreal, Masbate
FISHERMEN IN MONREAL TOWN IN MASBATE used to cast metal spears upon what to them were ordinary fish. Little did they know that they were losing one of the world’s priceless treasures, the manta ray (Manta birostris).
The fifth-class municipality (annual income: P7 million-P13 million) began staging the Pasa-Pasa Festival to spread awareness on the importance of preserving the manta ray, a rare fish found east of Ticao Island. The people believe that they are now reaping the fruits of their initiative to protect and preserve the pasa-pasa, the native name for the endangered manta ray.
Carlos Gueta, vice chair of the municipal tourism council and one of the early festival organizers, said the manta ray was often slaughtered and sold in the local market.
To catch the fish, the fishermen used a metal spear tied to a nylon cord buoyed by huge water containers. When hit, the manta ray died and floated in the water.
“Manta rays were used to be sold for P20 per 10 slices. At least 150 kilos could be sold out of every manta ray caught,” said Ono Almojuela, 37, a fisherman from Barangay Poblacion.
Another resident, Glenda Grona, 40, said that after the festival started in 2004, fishermen stopped catching and killing manta rays.
Dive spots
A portion of the Ticao Pass known as the “Manta Bowl” is haven for this endangered species, a cartilaginous fish also known as the “devil ray” because of horn-like fins on the sides of its head. The area is near Monreal and San Jacinto, two of the four towns of Ticao, and can be reached by motorized banca in 25 minutes off Barangay Famosa.
The discovery of this haven by international dive master Conrad Paz and other divers appeared in the Jan. 12, 2004, issue of the Inquirer. Since then, many more divers have visited the place.
The growing public awareness paved the way for the creation of the festival.
Manta rays, also called “birds of the sea,” can grow up to eight meters wide and weigh over 400 kilos—about seven sacks of rice—making it one of the five largest species of fish in the world.
They are found in temperate and tropical waters near continents and islands, and feed on planktons.
A dive center was put up at Ticao Island Resort three years ago and its activities became the major attraction.
Marti Calleja, dive operator at the resort, noted that in the summer of 2006, an average of eight sightings of the manta ray was reported every dive.
The rich marine ecosystem along the Ticao Pass has made it part of the international diving map.
Peak season of diving activities at the resort is from December to May, when the sea is calm.
The manta bowl has a strong current, which many divers liken to a “washing machine” for its “whirlpool” effect. The bowl is 17-25 meters deep.
Resort manager Dario Rafon said 400 guests, mostly divers, visited his place in summer last year. Consultant Leah Comedido said 95 percent of the visitors were foreigners, predominantly Europeans.
Threat still there
Aside from the three common coral reefs they bring divers to—the Coral Garden, House Reef and Rentees Reef—other dive sites were recently discovered and yet unnamed, Rafon said.
Despite the advocacy on manta ray preservation and the municipal government’s ecotourism programs, illegal fishing continues unabated and is one of the biggest threats to the endangered species.
Dynamite and cyanide fishing still occurs in the surrounding waters of Ticao. Explosions can be heard from the coastal areas.
“One time, I heard seven explosions in just an hour-and-a-half of snorkeling and kayaking,” Comedido said.
Rafon noted dynamite fishing even in areas near the manta bowl.
Some of the illegal fishers come from other places, he said.
Mayor Ben Espiloy said illegal fishing was not really that rampant in his town, but that illegal fishers would always take advantage whenever they can.
“We are implementing a manta ray preservation program, which is a major component of our ecotourism program. Here, we establish close coordination with the barangay [officials] to monitor the preservation of the manta ray,” Espiloy said.
Not many violators have been caught despite the program, In one instance, the municipal government received a report of an illegal fishing activity but failed to apprehend the violators because officials in another town to where they fled did not cooperate.
“There has to be a joint effort in the preservation of the manta ray. The responsibility does not rest on Monreal’s hands alone because the manta ray is for everyone,” he said.
A long-term coastal management and development program is also under way. It includes establishing a fish sanctuary, mangrove reforestation, and giving alternative livelihood for the fishermen to lure them away from illegal fishing.
Monreal is embarking on ecotourism development as its people hope to improve their quality of living.
Espiloy said his town had good tourism potentials but no tourist facilities, like lodges and other amenities.
Neighboring San Jacinto has three resorts while Monreal has one.
“We are still at the developing stage of our ecotourism programs. Time will come we will advance too but, for now, we have to preserve first our natural resources,” he said.
Rafon said most of the guests preferred the natural beauty of Ticao Island because it set it apart from other modernized resorts.
“Our foreign tourists don’t want Ticao to copy other tourist destinations. They want this place to remain as natural as possible. We plan to expand our resort but we will still keep the silence of this place,” Rafon said.
Residents of Monreal, who rely mostly on fishing, said they had had sightings of other precious marine creatures in their place, like the dugong and whales.
Espiloy said it was his long term vision for Monreal to be put on the tourism map.
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