Lobo SEC 2.2 MARINE

8/20/2019 Lobo SEC 2.2 MARINE

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Proposed Gold Mining Operations Project under Lobo MPSA 176-2002-IVEgerton Gold Phils,. Inc.Municipality of Lobo, Province of Batangas

2.2-54 Environmental Impact Statement Section 2.2.2 Marine

2.2.6 Marine Ecology

The town of Lobo is one of 13 municipalities in Batangas that straddles the Verde Island Passage,one of priority marine key biodiversity areas in the region. There are ten (10) Barangays that aresituated in the coastline and six of these are within a coastal enclave that faces the MRL Lobo MPSAand Archangel MPSA, shown in Figure 2.2.14 below.

SOURCE: Technotirx Consultancy Services Inc., “Base Map Showing Barangays Of Fabrica, Lagadlarin, Olo-Olo, Sawang,

Soloc, Malabrigo & Bali bago, Municipality of Lobo, Province of Batangas”. Quezon City. October 2013

Figure 2.2.14 Map showing six coastal Barangays between Lobo and Archangel MPSAs

An assessment of coastal resources and marine habitats in the shallow coastal seas fronting these six

coastal Barangays was conducted from 4 to 6 October 2013. A total of 11, 286 people live within the

coastal zone in these villages, comprising 37.53% of the total population of the municipality, shown in

Table 2.2.15 below.

Table 2.2.15 Population of Coastal Barangays near MPSAs, 2010 (Source: census.gov.ph)

Name of Barangay PopulationBalibago 2,967

Malabrigo 1,546

Soloc 1,801

Olo-olo 1,377

Lagadlarin 1,853

Fabrica 1,742

Total 11,286

The conduct of the rapid coastal assessment is in the waters and coastline fronting these Barangays

was part of an iterative process of coastal environmental profiling commissioned in order to define the

primary ecological attributes of the area. The economic and environmental significance of the coastalresources of Lobo cannot be overemphasized; these support the livelihood of the majority of the

Stretch of survey


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coastal populace and the fisheries that these support sustain the cheapest source of animal protein

for rural communities. Protecting coastal habitats, sustaining fisherfolk livelihoods and food security,

are therefore the major components of the Municipality’s coastal and fisheries resource management

program which was supported for a long time by Conservation International and is currently being

assisted by the USAID-funded Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable Fisheries Project. The

assessment focused on scientifically documenting the existence and condition of a range ofecological components, resources and resource use practices found within the coastline and the

stretch of near shore waters where primary productivity is highest in the coastal environment.

Specifically, the objective of the assessment is to account and describe the location and condition of

primary benthic habitats – principally coral reefs, seagrass beds, associated fisheries resources,

resource use practices and other ecological attributes in order to characterize such ecological niches

in their current state and identify susceptibility to possible issues and stressors of anthropogenic

origin, or describe the threats that are currently negatively affecting such habitats. The evaluation is

therefore broad and far-reaching, in order to generate meaningful information that can be the basis for

making informed decisions on how to monitor changes in the condition of the resources and address

issues that may affect sustainability and resilience.

2.2.2.1 Scope of Assessment

The assessment involved a full accounting of all benthic habitats and associated coastal resources

encountered across a swath of coastal waters running about 80 kilometers from east to west, starting

in Bgy. Balibago, past the headland of Bgy. Malabrigo, thence westward towards the Lobo River

estuary in Bgy. Fabrica. The survey corridor covered a breadth of about 500 meters from the coastline

fronting the coastline of 7 barangays, following the coral reef crest isobath, in order to assess and

document current condition of a broad range of mutually linked habitats. The scope of work of the

coastal/marine survey focused on the conduct of the following activities:

Determination of distribution and composition of coral cover and associated benthic lifeforms supported by analysis of present conditions of the coral reefs and the factors thatlead present coral mortality;

Definition of species composition, abundance, and biomass of associated reef fishcommunities in sampling areas;

Identification of commercially-important benthic macro invertebrates in inter-tidal areas invarious habitat components;

Where they occur, assessment of the diversity and species composition of seagrassresources and associated macro benthic algae;

Species composition, crown cover and present condition of mangrove stands within thestudy area;

In-situ rapid assessment of species composition, estimation of catch rates of primary

target species of fish, and identification of fishing gears employed in the area that can beaffected by project operations;

Assessment of zooplankton and phytoplankton communities and the presence of HAB-causing organisms (harmful algal blooms);

2.2.2.2 Objectives and Limitations of the Study

The surveys were undertaken to validate the presence of significant components of the marine

environment in the study area and to define whether such resources can be susceptible to stressors

potentially emanating from various pathways. The surveys are intended to represent a fairly accurate

baseline data set that portrays the condition of coastal habitats at the time of the survey obtained

through standard scientific assessment protocols. Subsequently, the overall picture of the coastal

environment revealed through survey results can be used as the bases for crafting suitable coastalresource management measures that can be adopted for long-term application employing current


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thresholds as the basis of comparative monitoring indicators. However, the survey results portray a

general view of the types and current condition of the coastal environment and the marine resources

present in the area at the time of sampling and cannot represent an irreversible situation. Moreover, it

should be considered that numerous natural and man-made factors are already currently contributing

to coastal resource degradation in the area and these have not been quantified so far. An example is

the current infestation of crown-of-thorns Starfish ( Acanthaster sp.) in the reefs of Bgy. Balibago andthese can lead to significant coral mortality in a short time after the survey if no measures are

immediately undertaken to eliminate the threat. Relatedly, the survey does not identify, in this regard,

both point and non-point sources of current stressors but only take into account their current impact, if

any, on the resources.

2.2.2.3 Assessment Methods and Applications

The survey methods employed follow standard marine resource survey techniques prescribed by

English et. al. (1994) and modified in accordance with in-situ conditions following rapid appraisal

techniques for coastal resources. In the coastal area where fish sanctuaries occur, more focused

assessment were undertaken with the survey team members undertaking underwater surveys,systematic snorkelling and spot dives to determine reef and fish distribution patterns in these focal

conservation areas. Key informants were interviewed to determine marine capture fisheries condition,

and extensive sampling stations to determine presence of macro-invertebrates that are utilized for

food and trade were undertaken throughout the length of the survey path.

The baseline survey is focused on assessing the presence, distribution and diversity of four principal

coastal resources if found to be present in the survey stations, i.e., (i) coral reefs, (ii) reef-associated

fish communities, (iii) mangrove resources, seagrass communities, plankton, and (ii) fishing practices

and productivity. The survey protocol includes:

Conduct of Manta Survey Method for Observation

of Coral Cover and General Coastal Habitat

Configuration

Manta tow surveys (Plate 2.2.7) were conducted in

continuous stations in order to determine benthic

condition over a long stretch of seabed across the

coastal waters in seven Barangays. Manta tow is a

useful method in generating a general profile of

benthic resources as it permits observation of the

condition, distribution and abundance of benthic

habitats in a continuous stretch of the coastal environment. Estimates of percentage distribution of

coral reefs and associated benthos observed within the tow stations are recorded in accordance with

standard categories to document distribution

of coral life forms and the collective picture generated can show a fairly accurate description of the

overall state of the coastal area under study. The mantatow surveys also enable the identification of

the location of seagrass meadows, if present in the area. In areas where significant coral reefs occur,

results from a manta tow survey are used to pinpoint the locations of ideal stations where more

detailed underwater coral reef characterization employing line transects are undertaken.

A total of forty-four (44) survey stations were investigated using the manta tow method, covering a

stretch of more than 80 kilometers of coastal waters (Figure 2.2.16). The stations started in the reefs

of Bgy Balibago in the east, with more intensive stations where fringing reefs occur, and ended in

front of the Lobo Rover in Bgy. Fabrica.

Plate 2.2.7: Manta tow survey


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.

SOURCE: Technotirx Consultancy Services Inc., “ Map Showing the Mata Tow Stations During Coastal Assessment Conducted

in Municipality of Lobo, Province of Batangas”. Quezon City. October 2013

Figure 2.2.15 Forty-four manta tow stations surveyed across a broad swath of coastal waterswithin the coastal seas of seven Barangays in Lobo, Batangas; 04-05 October 2013.

Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method for detailed coral reef assessment

Manta tow surveys revealed that coral reefs in the three Fish Sanctuaries located in the study area

(one of which is still in the ‘proposal phase’ and lacks the Municipal Ordinance to officially declare the

area as a sanctuary) are diverse and hosts significantly high coral cover. To document diversity in

more detail, transect lines were laid out inside each of the sanctuaries in order to more precisely

estimate the relative abundance of living and non-living things on the sea floor. The survey protocol

involved the laying out of 50-m transects parallel to the shoreline and following the reef contour (Plate

2.2.2). Data generated from line-intercept method for coral reef assessment provides more rigid data

sets on percentage of live coral cover as well as species distribution that can be ultimately used for

comparative evaluation if the same survey stations are monitored in the future.

The categories utilized for classifying coral cover follow standard ratings used for live coral

distribution, i.e., 76-100% live coral cover = Excellent; 51-75% coverage live coral cover = Good, 26-

50% coverage live coral cover = Fair, and 0-25% coverage live coral cover = Poor coral cover

(Gomez, et. Al., 1981).


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A total of three (3) detailed LIT stations were surveyed (Figure 2.2.11). These were located inside the

(i) proposed Malagundi Point Fish sanctuary, the Malabrigo Fish Sanctuary and the Sawang-Olo-olo

Fish Sanctuary.

The surveys in these stations were supplemented by spot dives to supplement information on the

extent of coral cover and record other relevant information.

Assessment of reef-associated fish assemblages employing Fish Visual Census (FVC)

The line intercept stations are subsequently used to account for fish communities associated with

coral reefs through standard fish visual census (FVC). The conduct of FVC is designed to document

a fairly accurate picture of demersal fish species richness, abundance and biomass of fish

assemblages associated with benthic habitats. In this case high values for these principal variables

can indicate the overall ecological condition of a reef area and can give a glimpse of ecosystem

function and diversity. Collectively, the results of coral reef assessments and fish visual census are

used as reference points for comparative monitoring of changes in spatial distribution and diversity of

benthic life forms in periodic environmental impact monitoring. Fish visual census (Plate 2.2.3) is

used to estimate the variety, numbers and sizes of fishes along a 10-meter belt following a 50-metertransect laid over representative coral reef stations. FVC surveys document mostly demersal, reef-

associated species of fish that normally indicates the robustness of a coral reef ecosystem. In healthy

reefs, the fish species diversity may include both commercially important fish (e.g., Groupers,

Snappers) and reef-dependent species of fish such as Angelfishes and Butterfly fishes.

The estimation of fish biomass in the stations surveyed can subsequently be used to extrapolate the

average fisheries productivity of the broader coastal area under normal circumstances, especially in

view of the fact that demersal fish can supply about 30 percent of total food fish production in a

locality. This productivity value is in fact one of the most important merits in protecting coral reefs in

the area.

Plate 2.2.9: Fish visual census survey

Plate 2.2.8: Survey Team Diver Documenting

Coral Diversity in a line in transect and transect


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SOURCE: Technotirx Consultancy Services Inc., “Map Showing the L.I.T. Assessment Stations During Coastal Assessment

Conducted i n Municipality of Lobo, Province of Batangas”. Quezon City. October 2013 Figure 2.2.16 Three stations in each of three fish sanctuaries were surveyed employing the

Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method for coral reef assessment on 04-05 October 2013.

Fish species encountered in the FVC are categorized as target, major or indicator species based on

categories recommended in Fish Base 2004. Target species are economically important food fish that

are normally sought by fishers for trade of for food. In reef areas, sich demersal species may include

high value groupers (Ephinephalidae), snappers (Lutjanidae), jacks (Carangidae) and some species

of surgeons ( Acanthuridae). Fish that belong to the major fish category are considered to be

ecologically important because they occupy unique niches and sometimes symbiotic relationships in

the coral reef ecosystem. Many of these species are represented by members of the damselfishes

(Pomacentridae) and wrasses (Labridae). Indicator species are coral-feeders whose presence, varietyand abundance in a reef area may give an indication of the robustness and diversity of corals present

in the reef. These are mostly comprised of the magnificently-colored butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae),

a few species of Angelfishes and the lone damsel species popularly known as Moorish Idol .

Assessment of seagrass and associated macroalgae

The manta tow survey paths revealed the occurrence of seagrass meadows in the shallow tidal flats

in only two contiguous locations. Assessment of the composition and density of the seagrass beds

were undertaken employing the standard transect-quadrat method prescribed in English et. al. (1997).

Opportunistic surveys of macro-algae occurring alongside the seagrass transects were also

documented. Two survey stations for seagrass communities were completed; indicated in Figure

2.2.18.


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Soloc, Malabrigo & Balibago, Municipality of Lobo, Province of Batangas”. Quezon City. October 2013 Figure 2.2.17 Seagrass survey stations undertaken in the coastal waters of Lobo, Batangas, 05

October 2013.

Survey of commercially-important Macro-Invertebrates

Investigation on the presence of benthic macro-invertebrates was done through actual specimen

collection, opportunistic survey and grab sampling in eight (8) observation stations indicated in Figure

2.2.19. The stations included all LIT/FVC stations, seagrass stations and mangrove survey stations.

Samples of sediments are immediately sieved through a screen mesh and any macro-invertebrates

encountered are identified up to species level. Most of the benthic organisms in a particular coastal

area play important ecological roles in the marine food chain, particularly as prey for many species offish and crustaceans that are permanently residing or are transit in the bottom of the sea. Many

bivalves and univalves are collected during gleaning activities for food and trade. Macro-

invertebrates, like bivalve mollusks, can be good indicators of site – specific effects disturbances in

the marine benthic environment since they are sessile organisms and their sedentary nature allows

effective analyses of pollutants and effects of benthic disturbance. The presence of macro-benthos in

the sediment is therefore a suitable biological indicator on fertility of the bottom sediment and, on the

other hand, the unsuitability of benthic substrates for the viable existence macro-invertebrate

populations.


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Soloc, Malabrigo & Balibago, Municipality of Lobo, Province of Batangas”. Quezon City. October 2013 Figure 2.2.18 Map showing stations for macro-invertebrate species investigations. Lobo,

Batangas, 05 October 2013

Mangrove Assessment

Viewed from the sea, the coastline of the seven Barangays surveyed do not seem to indicate the

presence of mangrove swamps. Information from key informants however revealed that extensive

mangrove forests occur behind the ‘aroma’ trees lining the coastline of Bgy. Lagadlarin and portions

of the inner inter-tidal areas in Bgy. Olo-olo. A rapid ocular inspection revealed that many of the said

mangrove stands consists of second growth trees although the species diversity seem to be diverse.

Clumps of Nipa fruticans were also seen in isolated patches in Bgy. Lagdlarin. In BarangaysBalibago, Malabrigo, Soloc, Sawang and Fabrica, no mangrove resources were encountered. A total

of two (2) mangrove survey stations were established (Figure 2.2.19) to determine species

distribution, crown cover and regeneration rates. Standard categories were used to describe the

overall condition of the mangrove resources, to wit:

Table 2.2.16 Categories used in describing overall condition of mangrove stands.

Excellent 76% and above in % Crown Cover; 1 Regeneration per m2; Above 5m in average tree

height; Undisturbed to negligible disturbance

Good 51% – 75% Crown Cover;


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Heavy disturbance/ cuttings/ pollution, rampant conversion to other uses, nearlydestroyed

SOURCE: Technotirx Consultancy Services Inc., “Base Map Show ing Barangays Of Fabrica, Lagadlarin, Olo-Olo, Sawang,

Soloc, Malabrigo & Balibago, Municipality of Lobo, Province of Batangas”. Quezon City. October 2013

Figure 2.2.19 Location of two mangrove survey stations in lobo, Batangas; October 5, 2013

Plankton communities

Species composition, abundance and density of phytoplankton and zooplankton communities were

determined using plankton net vertically lowered and towed from sub-surface depths. Shannon-Weaver Diversity/Evenness Indices and bio-assessment metrics are then derived from the results of

the sampling. Identification of phytoplankton species that can enrich to become harmful algal blooms

that can potentially cause paralytic shellfish poisoning was also undertaken as algal blooms normally

indicate hyper-nutrient levels in the sea sometimes triggered by problems of anthropogenic origin..

Sampling stations were strategically chosen so that the stations are evenly distributed throughout the

length of the coastline of the seven Barangays in the study area. Six (6) plankton sampling stations

were employed during the survey, depicted in Figure 2.2.20.


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Soloc, M alabrigo & Balibago, Municipality of Lobo, Province of Batangas”. Quezon City. October 2013

Figure 2.2.20 Survey stations for Plankton Communities; Lobo, Batangas, 05 October 2013

Rapid fisheries appraisals

The rapid appraisal was undertaken through key informant interviews to determine (i) dominant fishing

gears used in the study area, (ii) dominant catch composition, (iii) estimated catch rates, and (iv)

issues affecting fisheries. In the coastal waters fronting the MPSLs, fishers conducting actual fishing

operations were interviewed. The presence of coral reefs and deep waters of the Verde Island

Passage signifies that the fisheries of the area is comprised of both pelagic and demersal fishing

operations; with the latter dominated by hook and line operations in reef areas. The shallow, reef-

fringed coastal waters in front of Barangays are fished for sustenance fisheries employing small-scale

fishing gears. Under the Fisheries Code of the Philippines, the use of commercial fishing boats and

gears is prohibited inside municipal waters.

2.2.2.4 Results of Surveys

General description of the study area

The nearshore waters of the seven barangays under study are characterized by shallow waters over

a relatively narrow shelf that abruptly slopes to the deep waters of the Verde Island Passage in an

average of 300 to 400 meters distance from the shoreline. The offshore waters are influenced by

strong currents which are known to be pathways for large pelagic fishes moving to the northern

Visayan Sea and Sulu Sea. During ebb tides, the strong currents also sweep through the coral

colonies on an easterly direction (Southwest monsoon) such that sediments emanating from point

sources on the shore are flushed out towards the deeper waters in the Lobo-San Juan boundary. The

coastline of the seven Barangays, dominated by a mixture of sand, fine coral rubble and pebbles,

supports a growing tourism industry.


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Fringing reefs dominate the coastal shelf from Bgy. Balibago, hugging the coastline up to the eastern

flank of Bgy. Malabrigo. In these areas, corals are more diverse and denser, interrupted by crevices

and fissures that run through portions of the reef, followed by patches of sandy substrate. The reef

slope is abrupt after about 300 meters from the shoreline and drops to about 10 to 12 fathoms in most

areas. Thereafter, the reefs occur only in patches in front of Bgy. Malabrigo, becomes much lesser in

front of Bgy. Soloc, replaced by sandy substrates mixed with rocks, then reappears again extensivelyin the area of the Sawang-Olo-olo Fish Sanctuary. Past this area, corals recede and the seabed

becomes dominated by sand and rocks. The benthic morphology in coastal waters in front of

Barangay Lagadlarin and Fabrica are completely covered with sand and silt sediments, most of which

are deposited from the nearby Lobo River.

Coral reefs hosting the highest and densest coral cover have been placed under protective status

through the declaration of two fish sanctuaries in Bgy. Malabrigo and Sawang-Olo-olo, while another

reef area in Malagundi Point in Bgy. Balibago has been proposed to be a 3rd

fish sanctuary in the

area. In between fish sanctuaries, the coral reefs show evidences of extensive disturbance in the

past.

Seagrass communities and mangroves do not occur in Bgys. Balibago, Malabrigo, Soloc and

Sawang. Two large meadows of seagrass colonies appear in the central portion of Bgy. Olo-olo but

the distribution is confined to this area, covering approximately 3 to 4 hectares of seemingly

undisturbed seagrass beds. Mangroves, on the other hand, occur in swampy areas behind the beach

in Bgy. Lagadlarin and western Olo-olo.

It is evident that over the last few decades, the coastal habitats in these areas have been subjected to

various forms of stresses and pressures that have altogether eroded portions of the reefs which are

now colonized by macro-algae. However, the impressions from the current survey indicate that there

are no new extensive damage to the reefs and re-colonization of degraded areas seem to be

occurring significantly owing to the presence of diverse coral recruits. This observation indicate that

the intact reefs inside the sanctuaries are functioning as sources of recruits and the degraded reefs

outside the protected areas appear to be favorable sink areas for coral planulae.

The survey and profiling covered a linear expanse of coastal waters covering more than 80 kilometers

east to west following the coastlines of seven Barangays. Observations from manta tow pathways

covered a breadth of approximately 50 to 70 meters of shallow coastal seas following the reef crest

isobath. A total of forty-four (44) manta tow observation stations, three (3) line intercept stations for

detailed coral reef assessment, three (3) fish visual census stations, four (4) supplementary spot dives

inside the fish sanctuaries, two (2) seagrass survey stations, eight (8) sampling stations for

economically-important macro-invertebrates, six (6) zooplankton-phytoplankton sampling stations,

and three (3) mangrove quadrants were completed during the marine survey in the study area.

A map showing the consolidated location of all survey stations is presented in Figure 2.2.21. The

coordinates of the survey stations are shown in Table 2.2.12.


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Figure 2.2.21 Map of consolidated survey stations undertaken during the marine ecologysurvey in coastal waters of Lobo on October 4-6, 2013

Table 2.2.17 Survey Stations Established during the marine resource and habitat assessments

in Lobo, Batangas from 4 to 6 October 2013

Manta Tow Stations for Benthic Communities

Station Coordinates Location/ Observations

1 N 13° 36’ 48” E 121° 18’ 39” Inside proposed Malagundi Fish Sanctuaryin Bgy. Balibago

2 N 13° 36’ 49” E 121° 18’ 34” Inside proposed Malagundi Fish Sanctuaryin Bgy. Balibago

3 N 13° 36’ 48” E 121° 18’ 30” Near proposed Bgy. Balibago sanctuary

4 N 13° 36’ 50” E 121° 18’ 25” Outside proposed Bgy. Balibago sanctuary

5 N 13° 36’ 49” E 121° 18’ 19” Outside Baligabo fish sanctuary

6 N 13° 36’ 44” E 121° 18’ 09” Bgy. Balibago

7 N 13° 36’ 36” E 121° 18’ 01” Bgy. Balibago

8 N 13° 36’ 35” E 121° 18’ 01” Bgy. Balibago

9 N 13° 36’ 30” E 121° 17’ 56” Bgy. Balibago10 N 13° 36’ 25” E 121° 17’ 53” Bgy. Balibago


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11 N 13° 36’ 20” E 121° 17’ 49” Bgy. Balibago

12 N 13° 36’ 08” E 121° 17’ 41” Bgy. Balibago, Crown-of-Thorns

13 N 13° 36’ 4” E 121° 17’ 35” Bgy. Balibago, dense Crown-of-Thorns

14 N 13° 36’ 03” E 121° 17’ 31” Bgy. Balibago, Crown-of-Thorns

15 N 13° 35’ 00” E 121° 17’ 24” Bgy. Balibago

16 N 13° 35’ 57” E 121° 17’ 18” Bgy. Balibago

17 N 13° 35’ 54” E 121° 17’ 13” Bgy. Balibago

18 N 13° 35’ 52” E 121° 17’ 04” Bgy. Balibago

19 N 13° 35’ 52” E 121° 16’ 58” Sandy substrate, Bgy. Malabrigo

20 N 13° 35’ 52” E 121° 16’ 56” Sandy substrate, Bgy. Malabrigo

21 N 130

35’ 50” E 1210 16’ 22” Boundary of Bgy Balibago and Malabrigo

22 N 130

35’ 50” E 1210 16’ 13” Bgy. Malabrigo

23 N 13 35’ 51” E 121 15’ 52” Black tip shark, Bgy Malabrigo

24 N 13 35’ 51” E 121 15’ 32” Bgy. Malabrigo

25 N 13 36’ 18” E 121 15’ 19” Inside Malabrigo fish sanctuary

26 N 13 36’ 27” E 121 15’ 09” Inside Malabrigo fish sanctuary

27 N 130

36’ 32” E 1210 15’ 04” Near Malabrigo fish sanctuary

28 N 130

36’ 41” E 1210 14’ 53” Bgy. Malabrigo

29 N 13 36’ 47” E 121 14’ 49” Boundary Malabrigo-soloc30 N 13

36’ 48” E 121 14’ 48” Sandy substrate starts in front of Andrea

Beach Resort; boundary of Malabrigo-Soloc

31 N 130

37’ 02” E 1210 14’ 39” Bgy Soloc

32 N 13 37’ 07” E 121 14’ 31” Bgy Soloc; substrate increasingly consisting

of sand and rocks

33 N 130

37’ 26” E 1210 14’ 03” Boundary of Bgy Soloc and Sawang

34 N 130

37’ 35” E 1210 13’ 59” Boundary of Bgy Soloc and Sawang, fish

sanctuary

35 N 13 37’ 37” E 121 13’ 57” Boundary of Bgy Soloc and Sawang fish

sanctuary

36 N 13 37’ 38” E 121 13’ 51” Near Bgy. Olo-olo/Sawang, fish sanctuary

37 N 13 37’ 37” E 121 13’ 41” Bgy. Olo-olo, fish sanctuary

38 N 130

37’ 36” E 1210 13’ 36” Inside Sawang-Olo-olo Fish Sanctuary

39 N 130

37’ 32” E 1210 13’ 29” Outer reef inside fish sanctuary

40 N 13 37’ 35” E 121 13’ 25” Heavily silted

41 N 13 37’ 42” E 121 13’ 22” Seagrass beds start here

42 N 13 37’ 44” E 121 13’ 15” Bgy. Olo-olo; sandy substrate; patches of

degraded reef

43 N 130

37’ 31” E 1210 12’ 26” Bgy. Lagadlarin, no reefs

44 N 13 37’ 34” E 121 11’ 59” In front of river, Bgy. Fabrica; heavily silted

Line Intercept Stations for Detailed Coral Assessment/Fish Visual Census Stations

Station Coordinates Location

1 N 13° 36' 49" E 121° 18' 36" Inside proposed Malagundi Point FishSanctuary

2 N 13° 36' 31" E 121° 15' 01" Inside Malabrigo Fish Sanctuary

3 N 13° 37' 43" E 121° 13' 23” Inside Bgy. Olo-olo-Sawang Fish Sanctuary

Mangrove Survey Stations


1 N 13 37’ 45.5” E 121 12’ 10.0” Bgy Lagadlarin

2 N 13 37’ 50.0” E 121 13’ 20.2” Bgy Olo-olo

3 N 13 37’ 51.3” E 121 13’ 21.4” Bgy Olo-olo

Seagrass assessment stations


1 N 13° 37’ 49.9”, E 121° 13’ 10.6” Bgy. Ulo-ulo, Lobo

2 N 13° 37’ 48.6”, E 121° 13’ 05.5” Bgy. Ulo-ulo, Lobo

Plankton Community Survey Stations



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1 N 130

37’ 41” E 121011’ 50” Near mangrove area, Bgy. Lagadlarin

2 N 13 37’ 37” E 121

13’ 33” Inside Olo-olo-Sawang fish sanctuary

3 N 13 36’ 18” E 121

15’ 21” Bgy. Malabrigo, near fish sanctuary

4 N 13 35’ 35” E 121

16’ 59” Bgy. Balibago-Malabrigo boundary

5 N 130

36’ 41” E 1210 18’ 39” Inside proposed Malagundi Fish sanctuary

6 N 130 37’ 46” E 1210 19’ 29” Bgy BalibagoMacro-invertebrates Survey Stations


1 N 13° 36' 49.2" E 121° 18' 35.7" Inside proposed Malagundi Fish Sanctuary

2 N 13° 36' 30.6" E 121° 15' 09.3" Inside Malabrigo Fish Sanctuary

3 N 13° 37' 43.1" E 121° 13' 23.0 Inside Olo-olo-Sawang Fish sanctuary

4 N 13° 37’ 49.9”, E 121° 13’ 10.6” Seagrass meadows, Bgy. Olo-olo

5 N 13° 37’ 48.6”, E 121° 13’ 05.5” Seagrass meadow, Bgy. Olo-olo

6 N 13 37’ 45.5” E 121 12’ 10.0” Mangrove area, Bgy Lagadlarin

7 N 13 37’ 50.0” E 121 13’ 20.2” Mangrove area, Bgy Olo-olo

8 N 13 37’ 51.3” E 121 13’ 21.4” Mangrove area, Bgy Olo-olo

Corals - Distr ibut ion and Con di t ion

Broad area manta tow observations supplemented by systematic snorkeling reveal that fringing coral

reefs are found in four of the seven Barangays surveyed. The reefs in the eastern flank – particularly

in Bgy Balibago – hosts the most diverse colonies and they appear to be continuous. The fringing

reef is interrupted by sandy substrate in many portions southwest of Bgy. Balibago, cutting between

patches of dense live coral cover and dead standing corals. The reef-fringed coastline of Bgy

Balibago runs to more than 20 kilometers and the fringing reef abruptly becomes dominated by

smaller patches only in the Malabrigo-Balibago boundary. Sandy substrates are however, consistent

throughout the stretch of reefs. The reefs diminish in the sandy seabed in the central portion of Bgy.

Malabrigo but reappears extensively in the vicinity of the Malabrigo Fish Sanctuary. Thereafter the

corals disappear again in most of the stretch of seabed fronting Bgy. Soloc and resurfaces in Bgys.

Sawang and Olo-olo, where it becomes particularly dense and diverse inside the Sawang-Olo-olo

Fish Sanctuary. On the other hand, there are no corals in the coastal waters fronting Bgys.

Lagadlarin and Fabrica.

Out of the 44 manta tow observations pathways, corals were recorded in a total of 33 stations (Figure

2.2.22), with live coral cover ranging from a low 5% (category: Poor) to an impressive 70-75% LHC

inside the fish sanctuaries (category: Good to Excellent ). Most of the stations with fair to good coral

cover are found in Bgy. Balibago. Outside of the protected areas, many of the coral reefs have been

impaired, particularly in the Balibago-Malabrigo boundary and the Malabrigo-Soloc boundary. In

these areas, eleven (11) stations were completely covered with silt and rocks while fourteen stations

had coral cover of only 20% or less (category: Poor ). Thus, although the live coral cover were

extensive in the fish sanctuaries, the low ratio of live coral cover to dead corals and the high abiotic

component in some areas in the long stretch of reefs from Balibago to Olo-olo has pulled down the

average live coral cover across all 33 stations with corals – to only an average of 32 % of total area

with live corals (Fair condition). Sandy substrate accounted for 33% while dead corals and dead

corals with algae covered a total of 27.5 % combined.

However, viewed from the combined results of the line intercept surveys and the manta tow results, it

appears that while live coral over the entire survey pathway seem to be in fair condition on the

average, coral cover inside the fish sanctuaries where the transect stations were laid out show

exceptional coral cover. This indicates that protection of the sanctuaries is being enforced with

efficiency such that coral growth and recovery in these focal conservation areas have become veryvividly evident.


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SOURCE: Technotirx Consultancy Services Inc., “Base Map Showing Barangay s Of Fabrica, Lagadlarin, Olo-Olo, Sawang,


Figure 2.2.22 Live coral distribution in 44 manta tow stations, Lobo, Batangas, October 4-52013;


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Table 2.2.18 Summary of results of benthic profiling from manta tow surveys in forty-four stations, Lobo, Batangas on October 4-5, 2013

Tow No.: Geographical Coordinates Coral Reef Condition (in %) Total( %)

Remarks

Latitude LongitudeLiveHard

Corals

LiveSoft

Corals

DeadCorals

Dead

Corals

w i th

Algae

Abiotics

Sand Silt Rock Rubble

01Start N 13° 36’ 47.8” E 121° 18’ 39.3” 70 5 20 5 100

Good coral cover, dominantlive coral lifeforms aretabulate and presence of

significant Acropora branching coral recruits.

End N 13° 36’ 49.3” E 121° 18’ 36.4”

02Start N 13° 36’ 48.7” E 121° 18’ 33.8” 70 15 15 100

Good coral cover, dominantlive coral lifeforms are Acropora branching coralsand presence of school ofsurgeon fish.

End N 13° 36’ 48.8” E 121° 18’ 31.0”

03 Start N 13° 36’ 48.4” E 121° 18’ 30.3” 65 15 20 100

Dominant are tabulate coral.

End N 13° 36’ 49.9” E 121° 18’ 26.8” 04 Start N 13° 36’ 49.7” E 121° 18’ 25.4”

40 10 10 40 100Dominant are tabulate coral.

End N 13° 36’ 49.6” E 121° 18’ 20.7”

05 Start N 13° 36’ 49.4” E 121° 18’ 18.9” 15 5 80

Sandy bottom.

End N 13° 36’ 44.2” E 121° 18’ 10.8” 06 Start N 13° 36’ 43.6” E 121° 18’ 09.2”

90 10 100Rocky bottom.

End N 13° 36’ 39.6” E 121° 18’ 03.8”

07 Start N 13° 36’ 39.0” E 121° 18’ 03.4” 30 40 20 10 100

Dominant are tabulate coralwith school of Siganids. End N 13° 36’ 36.4” E 121° 18’ 00.9”

08 Start N 13° 36’ 35.4” E 121° 18’ 00.5”

20 20 30 20 10 100

Diverse fishes and presence

of significant Acropora coralbranching recruits.

End N 13° 36’ 31.0” E 121° 17’ 57.2”

09 Start N 13° 36’ 30.3” E 121° 17’ 56.0” 10 10 50 30 100

School of surgeon fish andpresence of significant Acropora coral branchingrecruits.

End N 13° 36’ 25.8” E 121° 17’ 54.0”

10 Start N 13° 36’ 25.3” E 121° 17’ 52.8” 40 30 20 10 100

School of Siganids andpresence of significant Acropora coral tabulate

End N 13° 36’ 20.7” E 121° 17’ 49.4”


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recruits.

11 Start N 13° 36’ 20.1” E 121° 17’ 48.5” 15 5 50 30 100

Sandy bottom.

End N 13° 36’ 14.9” E 121° 17’ 45.2” 12 Start N 13° 36’ 07.9” E 121° 17’ 40.8”

20 40 30 10 100Crown-of-Thorns starfish (3)

End N 13° 36’ 04.9” E 121° 17’ 36.6” 13 Start N 13° 36’ 04.3” E 121° 17’ 35.3”

20 40 30 10 100End N 13° 36’ 03.3” E 121° 17’ 32.7”

14 Start N 13° 36’ 02.8” E 121° 17’ 30.9” 40 20 40 100End N 13° 36’ 01.7” E 121° 17’ 27.3”

15 Start N 13° 35’ 59.8” E 121° 17’ 24.2”

50 10 40 100

Crown-of-Thorns (5)

End N 13° 35’ 58.0” E 121° 17’ 20.0” 16 Start N 13° 35’ 56.9” E 121° 17’ 17.8”

25 40 35 100Crown-of-Thorns (11)

End N 13° 35’ 55.6” E 121° 17’ 13.8”

17 Start N 13° 35’ 54.3” E 121° 17’ 12.8” 10 30 60 100End N 13° 35’ 52.9” E 121° 17’ 07.8”

18 Start N 13° 35’ 52.1” E 121° 17’ 04.4” 10 50 40 100End N 13° 35’ 51.8” E 121° 16’ 59.4”

19 Start N 13° 35’ 52.1” E 121° 16’ 58.4” 5 20 70 100

Sandy bottom.

End N 13° 35’ 51.5” E 121° 16’ 56.7” 20 Start N 13° 35’ 51.6” E 121° 16’ 55.6”

60 40 100Sandy bottom.

End N 13° 35’ 52.3” E 121° 16’ 52.0”

21 Start N 13° 36’ 02.8” E 121° 17’ 30.9” 20 30 30 20 100 Silted waters; rocks

End

22 Start N 13° 35’ 59.8” E 121° 17’ 24.2” 15 20 15 30 20 100 Silted waters, rocks

End23 Start N 13° 35’ 56.9” E 121° 17’ 17.8” 15 35 15 25 10 100 1 Black tip shark

encounteredEnd

24 Start N 13° 35’ 54.3” E 121° 17’ 12.8” 100 100 Sandy substrate in BgyMalabrigoEnd25 Start N 13° 35’ 52.1” E 121° 17’ 04.4” 70 20 10 100 Inside Malabrigo fish

sanctuary; surgeons; Acropora and Millepora

End

26 Start N 13° 35’ 52.1” E 121° 16’ 58.4” 60 30 10 100 Inside Malabrigo fishsanctuaryEnd

27 Start 30 30 20 20 100


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28 Start 10 30 30 20 100

29 Start 5 5 40 50 100 Boundary Bgy Malabrigoand Bgy Suloc

30 Start 100 100 Bgy Suloc



33 Start 100 100 Boundary Suloc-Sawang

34 Start 40 20 40 100 Bgy. Sawang

35 Start 40 20 40 100

36 Start 50 20 30 100

37 Start 30 20 20 30 100

38 Start 50 20 20 10 100 Inside Sawang-Olo-olo FishSanctuary

39 Start 35 30 10 15 100 Outer reef of sanctuary

40 Start 30 30 40 100 Silted waters

41 Start 100 100 Towards Bgy Fabrica

42 Start 100 100 In front of mangroves

43 Start 100 100 Bgy. Lagadlarin

44 Start 100 100 River estuary

Mean values (in stations with corals) 32%LHC

.30%SFC

17.5DC

10.0%DCA

33%Sand

5.7%Rocks

1%rubble

99.5

Status Category: Poor = 0 - 24.9; Fair = 25 - 49.9%; Good = 50 - 74.9%; Excellent = 75 - 100% (Gomez et al. 1981)


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The three LIT stations for recording of detailed coral cover and benthic life form assessment inside the

proposed Malagundi Fish Sancturay, Malabrigo Fish Sanctuary and the Sawang-Olo-olo Fish

Sanctuary revealed an average live coral cover of 77% across all three stations (Table .2.2.20). Under

the standard categories employed for coral reef assessment, this ratio is classified as Excellent.

Station 2 – the Malabrigo fish sanctuary hosted the highest live coral cover at 84%, followed by

Station 1 (proposed Malagundi fish sanctuary) at 76% live coral cover, and then Station 3 (Sawang-Olo-olo Fish Sanctuary) at 71% LHC. On the average, dead corals within the sanctuaries account for

only 18 % of total benthic life form cover, while abiotic components consisted of only 3.67 %. This

single factor – the ratio of dead coral against live coral cover - can be used as a most suitable

indicator for comparing changes in coral reef configuration as a result of issues of anthropogenic

origin that can cause coral mortality. These figures also show that the fish sanctuaries where

established in high coral density areas. In contrast, a third of the bottom substrate outside of the

sanctuaries are covered with sand and rocks and coral colonization in these areas are discernably

suppressed.

Table 2.2.19 Overall results of Coral Reef Assessment using Line-Intercept Transect (LIT)surveyed inside the proposed Malagundi Point Fish Sanctuary, Malabrigo Fish sanctuary and

the Sawang-Olo-olo Fish Sanctuary in Lobo, Batangas conducted on October 5, 2013.

TransectNo:

Live Hard Coral SoftCoral

DeadCoral

OtherFauna(OT)

Abiotic Total(LHC)

Conditioncategory

Acropora Non-Acropora

01 63.60% 12.40% 1.60% 21.40% 0.20% 0.80% 76.00% Excellent

02 78.00% 6.20% 14.20% 1.60% 84.20% Excellent

03 61.40% 9.40% 2.80% 17.80% 8.60% 70.80% Good

AVERAGE 67.67% 9.33% 1.47% 17.80% 0.07% 3.67% 77.00% Excellent

Status Category: Poor = 0 - 24.9; Fair = 25 - 49.9%; Good = 50 - 74.9%; Excellent = 75 - 100%(Gomez et al. 1981)

Across all stations, the coral life forms are dominated by Acropora branching types and Acropora

tabulate species (Table 2.2.15 and Figure 2.2.23). In fact, these two types of branching corals

accounted for more than 61% of all coral cover. In station 2 alone which had the highest live coral

cover, the Acropora branching species profusely dominated the coral community, accounting for 63.6

% of all coral species. The branching and tabulate types are some of the most fragile amongst coralspecies and their presence in a significant numbers indicate that the branching corals inside the fish

sanctuaries seem to be undisturbed, even by boat anchors. On the other hand, dead corals and dead

corals with algae (DCA) accounted for 17.8 % across three stations. The highest dead coral (DC)

value was recorded in the proposed Malagundi fish sanctuary, at 17.4 %. Station 3, which is relatively

closer to the Lobo River estuary than the other 2 stations, is the only station that contained a fair

degree of sand and rocks, covering 9.4 % of the area surveyed.

Across the three stations, the Acropora branching corals are dominated by the species Acropora

palmate, occupying 35.13 % of all coral life forms. This is followed by the tabulate species Acropora

indonesia, which accounted for 26 % of all corals encountered in the transects. The non-Acropora

coral types were dominated by the massive species Porites daedata (3.33%) and the encrusting


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species Porties vaughan. The lone soft coral species consisted of the rarely seen Tubipora sp.

Please see Plate 10, 11 and 12 for pictures of the said species.

Table 2.2.20 Distribution of major coral lifeforms by percentage/category obtained fromthree LIT stations (to wit: proposed Malagundi Point Sanctuary, Malabrigo Fish Sanctuary

and Sawang-Olo-Olo Fish Sanctuary) in Lobo, Batangas on October 5, 2013.

LIFEFORM CATEGORIES CODECONDITION PER TRANSECT

(in %)

1 2 3 Mean

Acropora

Non-

Acropora

Coral Branching ACB 30.20 63.60 11.60 35.13

Coral Encrusting CE 1.00 2.00 1.00

Coral Digitate ACD 2.40 14.00 5.47

Tabulate ACT 30.00 14.40 33.80 26.07

Total Acropo ra 63.6 78 61.4 67.67

Coral Branching CB 1.60 2.80 1.47

Encrusting CE 3.00 3.80 2.20 3.00

Massive CM 4.40 2.40 3.20 3.33

Sub-Massive

Total l ive coral cov er

CS 3.4076.0

084.2

1.2070.80

1.5377.0

Dead Coral DC 17.40 1.40 7.80 8.87

Dead Coral

wi th Algae

DCA 4.00 12.80 10.00 8.93

Other

Fauna

Halimeda species HA 0.20

Soft Corals SC 1.60 2.80 1.47

Abiot ic Rock RCK 0.80 2.00 0.93Rubble R 0.40 0.13

Sand S 5.40 1.80

Silt SI 1.60 0.80 0.80

Total transect cov er 100 100 100 100%

Status Category: Poor = 0 - 24.9; Fair = 25 - 49.9%; Good = 50 - 74.9%; Excellent = 75 - 100%(Gomez et al. 1981)

Table 2.2.21 List of common species and average percentage live coral cover/species in threeLIT stations surveyed (proposed Malagundi Point Sanctuary, Malabrigo Fish Sanctuary, and

Sawang-Olo-Olo Fish Sanctuary) in Lobo, Batangas on October 5, 2013.

LIFEFORM CATEGORIES SPECIESAVERAGE PERCENTAGE

LIVE CORAL COVER

Acropora

Non-Acropora

Coral BranchingCoral EncrustingCoral DigitateTabulate

Coral BranchingEncrustingMassiveSub-Massive

Acropora palmate Acropora palifera Acropora humulus Acropora indonesia

Seriatopora speciesPorites vaughanPorites daedataPorites lichen

35.13 %1.00 %5.47 %26.07 %

1.47 %3.00 %3.33 %1.53%

Soft Coral Tubipora species 1.47%Total live coral cover, including soft coral species)

78.47 %Status Category: Poor = 0 - 24.9; Fair = 25 - 49.9%; Good = 50 - 74.9%; Excellent = 75 - 100% (Gomez et al. 1981).


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Coral damage caused ostensibly by destructive fishing methods are evidently old and the survey did

not encounter fresh dynamite or cyanide marks that can be attributed to fresh coral mortality even in

the areas outside of the protected sanctuaries. However, coral mortality caused by Crown-of-Thorns

starfish ( Acanthaster sp) infestation appears to be increasing in three manta tow stations where a

total of 19 of the coral-eating starfish were encountered (Plate 2.2.4). The numbers indicate that the

COTs could be present in significant numbers outside of the tow paths as well. Settlement of coralrecruits were observed to be very prolific in almost all the manta tow pathways and LIT stations where

firm dead coral substrate occur.

Plate 2.2.10 Dead coral with algae (left) and crown-of-thorns starfish preying on coral polyps of

Acropo ra indonesia (right) in Lobo, Batangas. Picture taken on 05 October 2013 (R. Quimpo,R. Pocon).

Plate 2.2.11 Branching coral Acrop ora palmate (left) and massive coral Lobophy l l ia corymbosa(right). Picture taken on 05 October 2013, Lobo, Batangas (R. Pocon).


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Plate 2.2.12 Digitate coral Acropo ra hum il is (left picture upper left corner) and bird’s nestcoral S. hys tix (central portion); and table coral Acro pora indonesia and the fire coral Millepora

(right picture). Taken of 05 October 103 in Lobo, Batangas (R. Quimpo).

Figure 2.2.23 Graph showing overall average percent distribution of corals in three (3) Line-Intercept Transect (LIT) stations inside of the proposed Malagundi Point Fish Sanctuary,

Malabrigo Fish Sanctuary and Sawang-Olo-olo Fish Sanctuary, Lobo, Batangas, October 5,

2013.


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Figure 2.2.24 Graph of coral distribution by category and by FVC station 1-3.LIT Survey Station No.:01 N 13° 36' 49.2" E 121° 18' 35.7" LIT Survey Station No.:02 N 13° 36' 30.6" E 121° 15' 09.3"LIT Survey Station No.:03 N 13° 37' 43.1" E 121° 13' 23.0 ”

Figure 2.2.25 Results of coral reef assessment shown in pie graphs per station.5.3 Reef-associated demersal fish species


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Fish visual census was undertaken in the 50-meter LIT transects in the same stations where line

intercept transects were laid out. Station 1, was established inside the vicinity of the proposed

Malagundi Point Fish sanctuary, station 2 was inside the Malabrigo Fish sanctuary and Station3

inside the Sawang-Olo-olo Fish Sanctuary. .

A total of 462 reef-associated fish individuals were counted in all three FVC stations, consisting of 39reef-associated fish species, representing 17 families (Table 2.2.17 and Figure 2.2.26). Indicator

species consisted only of six (6) species while ‘other ’ species comprised a total of 21 species across

all stations. The highest fish abundance is attributed to Station 1 (Malagundi Point) which accounted

for 48 % of all fish individuals encountered, followed by Station 3 at 31% (Sawang-Olo-olo) and

Station 2 (Malabrigo) with 21 %. The fish abundance index seem to be inversely proportional with the

degree of live coral cover as it should be noted that in the coral LIT, Station 1 had the lowest live coral

cover among the three stations (and yet has the highest fish species count in the FVC); the highest

being Station 2 in Malabrigo which in this the case, had the lowest fish species count. The high fish

count in station 1 is due to the presence of a school of surgeonfish numbering 15 individuals and the

majority of all Damselfish encountered, with 110 individuals. These two species alone in Station 1

accounted for 27 % of fish abundance.

Table 2.2.22 Results of fish visual census in three line intercept stations in Lobo, Batangas,October 5, 2013

FISH ABUNDANCE DATA FORMSite Name: Brgy. Municipality & Province: LOBO, Batangas

Transect 1-Malagundi point, Brgy. BalibagoTransect 2-Malabrigo SanctuaryTransect 3-Ulo-ulo SanctuaryDepth(m):2-3

Observers: R. Quimpo

Date(mo./day/yr): 10/5/13Time: 9am;1:00pm;3:00pm

Horizontal Visibility(m):

Habitat notes:Reef crest and slope

Coordinates: Angle of Slope:T1: T2:T3: T4:

FAMILY/SPECIES NAME/ENGLISH NAME

STATION Total # ofindividuals

T1 T2 T3

#of

ind Size

(cm) #of

ind Size

(cm) #of

ind Size

(cm)

Acanthuridae (Surgeonfish)

Acanthurus nigricans :White cheek surgeonfish▪ 10 15 5 10 3 12 18

Acanthurus nigricans :White cheek surgeonfish▪ 15 12 15

Ctenocahetus striatus: striated surgeon fish 2 10 2 Apogonnidae (Cardinal fishes)

Apogon angustatus: Broadstriped cardinalfish 8 7 8

Apogon compressus: Ochre-striped cardinalfish 10 6 10

Ballistidae (Triggerfishes)

Balistapus undulatus: 1 15 1 15 2

Chaetodontadae (Butterflyfishes)

Chaetodon baronessa: Eastern triangular butterflyfish 2 6 2 6 3 8 7

Chaetodon baronessa: Eastern triangular butterflyfish 3 8 3

Chaetodon auriga: Threadfin butterflyfish 2 8 2 8 2 10 6

Henoichus varius: Horned bannerfish 3 8 2 12 5


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Henoichus varius: Horned bannerfish 2 10 3 8 5

Forcipiger flavassimus; Longnose butterflyfish 2 12 2 12 4 6 8

Forcipiger flavassimus: Longnose butterflyfish 2 8 2

Chaetodon adiergastos: Philippine butterflyfish 3 5 2 8 6 10 11

Epinephelidae (Groupers) Cephalopholis fulva: 1 15 1 10 2

Haemulidae(Sweetlips)

Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides: Harlequin

sweetlips

1 4 1

Labridae (wrasses)

Halichoeres hortulanus: checkboard wrasse 2 10 1 14 3

Halichoeres scapularis: zigzag wrasse 1 8 4 10 5

Labroides dimidiatus: Bluestreak cleaner wrasse 1 6 1 4 2 5 4

Bodianus mesothorax: Splitlevel hogfish 1 8 2 10 3

Halichoeres binotopsis:1 6 2 8 3

Halichoeres binotopsis: 2 8 2

Halichoeres binotopsis: 1 10 1

Lutjanidae (Snapper fishes)

Lutjanus decussatus: Checkered snapper 2 16 2 12 4

Mullidae(Goat fishes)

Parupeneus barberinus; Dash-and-dot goatfish 3 8 12 6 15

Parupeneus barberinus; Dash-and-dot goatfish 5 6 20 4 25

Nemipteridae (Breams fishes)

Pentapodus emeryii: Double whiptail

Scolopsis bilineatus; Two-lined monocle bream▪ 2 15 1 10 3

Scolopsis bilineatus; Two-lined monocle bream▪ 1 12 2 12 3

Scolopsis ciliate; Saw-jawed monocle bream▪ 3 14 3

Pomacentridae (Damselfish)

Amphiprion clarkii: Yellowtail clownfish 2 6 1 3 3

Chromis margaritifier: 5 4 10 3 15

Chromis weberi: Weber’s chromis 12 5 16 4 28

Pomacentrus mollucensis; Lemon damsel 30 3 25 4 55

Chromis alpha: Y ellow speckled chromis 45 3 45 4 90

Chromis alpha; Yellow-speckeld chromis 10 4 10

Dasyllus albisella; Hawaiin dasyllus 1 6 5 12 6

Dasyllus albisella: Hawaiin dasyllus 5 9 4 10 9

Scaridae (parrotfish)

Scarus ghobban; Bluebarred parrotfish▪ 15 12 6 14 1 10 22

Chlorurus surdidus: Daisy parrotfish 5 10 5

Scarus frenatus: Bridled parrotfish 1 18 1

Scarus dimidiatus; Yellow banned parrotfish 12 8 12

Siganidae (Rabbitfish)

Siganus guttatus; Orange-spotted spinefoot▪ 6 10 6

Siganus spinus: Little spinefoot 6 12 6

Synodontidae (Lizardfish)Synodus dermatogenys: Lizardfish 2 12 2


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Sphyraenidae (Barracuda)

Sphyraena forsteri: Big-eye barracuda 2 30 2

Tetraodontidae (Pufferfish)

Arothron hispidus: 1 10 2 12 3

Arothron hispidus: 1 12 1Zanclidae (Moorish idol)

Zanclus cornutus: Moorish Idol 2 8 2 10 3 12 7

Total # of individuals per transect 224 97 141 462

Species Richness

Total number of fish families 17

Total number of species 39

Total number of target species▪ 12

Total number of indicator species 6

Total number of other species 21Fish biomass was calculated using the formula, W=aLᵇ , W I weight (g), a is the condition factor (Pauly 1993), L

the estimated length (cm) and b the exponent (b


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Figure 2.2.27 Left: Mean density of fish by category across three FVC stations; Right: Meanfish biomass by category across three FVC stations

On the whole, the overall assessment of the demersal fish profile of the area in front of MPSA is poor.

The low species richness and density in the reef flats inside and outside of the fish sanctuaries

indicates a declining fisheries productivity and these is vividly manifested in the presence of mostly

juvenile fishes and the low numbers of food fish species. The factors that contribute to this low

fisheries profile could be primarily be recruitment overfishing and the use of fine mesh nets. Thenarrow fringing reef also limits the spatial capacity for fish abundance. Anecdotal accounts from

fishers in the area also confirm the absence of long-lived demersal fish species in the near shore

waters.

Figure 2.2.28 Distribution of fish abundance by family in three FVC survey transects in Lobo,Batangas; 05 October 2013 (Observer: Rowena Quimpo).

0

50

100

150

200

250

3518

2

47

2 1 21

440

9

216

4812 2 4 2 7

Comparative Abundance by Fish Families


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In view of the relatively small number of fishes

encountered in 3 transects, the mean fish

density across all three stations is low,

averaging .616 individuals/m2 with the ‘other

species’ category having the highest density

value at .916 individuals/m2

, target species atonly .716 individuals/m

2 and indicator species,

supposedly thriving robustly in excellent reef

cover, lowest at 3.48 kg/500m2, with target

species biomass averaging only 1.46

kg/500m2. This productivity value is low if

compared to standard estimates of fish

productivity of a square kilometer of healthy

coral reefs which is estimated to be in the

region of 10-15 MT/km2.

Seagrass resources

With roots firmly embedded in sandy

substrate Seagrasses are the true plants of

the sea and their resilience in tolerating a

wide range of stresses in the marine

environment is manifested in their perennial

presence even in silted waters. Seagrass meadows provide shelter to many species of fish and

invertebrates and the diversity of the seagrass beds in an area can be a contributing factor to the

recruitment of rabbit fishes, seahorses, sea cucumber, some species of shrimps, and the settlement

of mollusks, small cephalopods, crustaceans and associated epiphytes. Dense seagrass meadows

can create a barrier that subsequently decreases water currents while the seagrass roots and

rhizomes can help stabilize the seabed by sequestering and fastening sediments and silt onto the

bottom substrate.

The seagrass habitat stations studied in Lobo are located about 70 meters West of the coastline of

the central portion of Barangay Olo-olo. Drawing from the results of the broad area manta tow

surveys, this is the only site in 7 Barangays where seagrass occur. The seagrass meadows occupy

the inner tidal flat, consisting of two patches measuring approximately 1 to 1.5 hectares each. Due to

the relatively limited spatial distribution, the assessment reuired only two survey stations for the, with

data on seagrass species and percent cover collected from a series of 1m x 1m quadrats laid out on a

seagrass transect in each station.

Survey results showed that four (4) seagrass species are present in the study area dominated by theseagrass species of Cymodocea rotundata (Ribbon Grass) at 39.75 % cover, and Syringodium

isoetifolium ( Tube seagrass) with 39.5 % distribution (Plate 2.2.7). The seagrass beds are frequently

used by fishers in Bgy. Olo-olo to harvest benthic and epibenthic invertebrates, as well as bivalves.

The capture of rabbitfishes is also frequent in the meadows through hook and line fishing. However,

the Bantay Dagat and Barangay have allegedly banned the use of net fishing gears in the area to

protect the seagrass resources. Indeed, visual observation of the seagrass beds within the transect

survey stations indicate that only minor physical damage to the seagrass beds have been occurring.

Nevertheless, silted waters have begun to invade some patches and significant sediments attached to

the seagrass leaves were found in beds closer to the shoreline.

The data sets collected from the two stations revealed that Stations 1 exhibited four seagrassspecies, namely Cymodocea rotundata, Syringodium isoetifolium, Thalassia hemprichii (sickle

Plate 2.2.13: Tube seagrass in Bgy. Olo-olo,

Lobo, Batangas


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seagrass) and a small quantity of Becarri’s spoon seagrass Halophilla becarri . Cymodecea sp

occupied 40.5 % of the meadow, Syringodium sp. at 30.5 %, while sand occupied some 14.5 % of the

community surveyed. Station 2 recorded only three species, dominated at 48.5 % by the tube

seagrass Syringodium isoetifolium.

Figure 2.2.29 Average cover of seagrass community (in percentage) in the coastal barangay ofUlo-ulo, Lobo, Batangas City, October 6, 2013. (Observers: Victor L. Pantaleon and Ronald T.

Pocon).

Figure 2.2.30 Seagrass distribution in Transect No.:01 - Coordinates: N 13° 37’ 49.9”, E 121° 13’10.6”


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Figure 2.2.31 Seagrass distribution in Transect 2: Coordinates: N 13° 37’ 48.6”, E 121° 13’ 05.5”

5.5 Mangroves

Mangrove forests support many ecological functions that contribute to the productivity of the coastal

resource base. Mangroves export nutrients that sustain fish and crustacean food webs, particularly

for larval nursery and development in the lower base of the marine food chain. Additionally,mangrove forests act as areas of natural entrapment of sediments that can pollute seawater and

disturb critical benthic habitats of fish. Healthy mangrove cover can directly promote fish population

replenishment and improves the natural processes that contribute to sediment trapping.

A wide swampy area behind the central coast of Bgy Lagadlarin and east of Bgy Olo-olo contained a

mixture of mangrove stands populated by a

total of seven (7) species of mangroves

dominated by the sturdy species Avecennia

marina (Bungalon; Table 2.2.18). A total of

three (3) assessment quadrats were

established to record data on mangrovespecies distribution, height and crown cover of

every mangrove species within the 10m x 10m

quadrats. The mangrove swamps are

perennially

A total of 112 trees were counted in the three

quadrats, with quadrat, 1 located in Bgy,

Lagadlarin, having the highest density of trees

at 53 per quadrat. Quadrats 2 and 3, located

contiguously in the mangrove swamp in Bgy.

Olo-olo, hosted 24 and 35 trees respectively

(Table 3.2.23). In all the sampling stations, the

Plate 2.2.14: Mangrove survey in Bgy. Olo-olo


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species Avecennia marina dominated the clumps, comprising 72% of all trees in Quadrat 1, 46.5% of

all trees in Quadrat 2, and 68.5% in Quadrat 3. Overall, A. marina occupied 66% of mangrove

patches across 3 stations. The rest of the trees enumerated consisted of the species Sonneratia alba

( Pagatpat), Rhizophora mucronata (Bakauan babae), Rhizopora apiculata (Bakauan lalake),

Avecennia alba (Bungalon Puti), Ceriops decandra (Malatangal), Rhizopora mucronata was the

second in density, consisting of 10% of all trees surveyed, followed by Sonneratia alba, occupying 8% of the stations survyed. On the other hand, Luminitzera racemosa (kulasi). The latter 2 species –

C. decandra and L. racemosa, consisted only of two trees each The survey observed evidence of

mangrove cutting in all three stations, although this does not seem to be significant. It was also noted

that households have settled on the beach fronting the mangrove swamp in Bgy. Lagadlarin.

Table 2.2.23 Results of mangrove assessment in three quadrats, Lobo, Batangas, 05 October

2013. (Enumerator: Rowena Quimpo)

Mangrove Habitat Assessment Data Sheet, Quadrat No. 1

Date: October 6. 2013 Location: Lagadlarin, Lobo, Batangas

GPS Reading: N-13° 37' 45.5'' E- 121° 12' 10.0''

Quadrat

# 1

Tree

#

Species Ht.

(m)

Crown

Diameter (m)

Observations

10x10m² Ave. C.Cover

1 Avecennia marina(bungalon) 5 2.00 3.14

2 Avecennia marina(bungalon) 4 1.00 0.79 5 seedlings




6 Avecennia marina(bungalon) 1 1.30 1.337 Avecennia marina(bungalon) 1 1.00 0.79

8 Avecennia marina(bungalon) 2.8 1.00 0.79


















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39 Ceriops decandra(Malatangal) 2 1.50 1.7740 Ceriops decandra(Malatangal) 3.5 1.50 1.77

41 Avecennia alba(bungalon puti) 4 2.50 4.91







48 Luminitzera racemosa(kulasi) 3 1.00 0.79

49 Luminitzera racemosa(kulasi) 3.5 2.00 3.14

50 Rhizopora mucronata (bakhaw

babae)

5 2.00 3.14


babae)

4 1.00 0.79


babae)

4 2.00 3.14

53 Rhizopora apiculata (bakhaw lalaki) 5 3.00 7.07

Total 53 169.3 140.29 5 seedlingsTOTAL CROWN COVER: 140.29

PERCENT CROWN COVER: 140.29/ (1 quadrat x 100 sq.m.) = 140.29 % ( Excellent crown

cover)

TOTAL HEIGHT OF ALL

TREES:

169.3 m

AVERAGE HEIGHT: 169.3/ 53 TREES = 3.194 meters (Fair)

Total Regeneration Count

Regeneration Per Square Meter =

Total Number of Regeneration Plots

5 Seedlings / 3Plots (3 plots per quadrat) = 1.666 Seedlings Per Square Meter

(Excellent regeneration per m²)


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Quadrat No 2

Date: April 6, 2013 Location: Olo-olo, Lobo Batangas

GPS Reading: N-13° 37' 50.0'' E- 121° 13' 20.2'' Quadrat

#2

Tree

#

Species Ht.

(m)

Crown

Diameter (m)

Observations


1 Sonneratia alba(pagatpat) 4 2.50 4.91

2 Sonneratia alba(pagatpat) 3 1.80 2.54 50 seedlings














17 Rhizophora mucronata

(bakawang babae)

6 2.00 3.14


(bakawang babae)

5 3.20 8.04


(bakawang babae)

6 3.00 7.07


(bakawang babae)

5 2.00 3.14


(bakawang babae)

4 2.00 3.14

22 Rhizophora apiculata

(bakawang lalaki)

3 1.00 0.79

23 Rhizophora apiculata

(bakawang lalaki)

2 1.00 0.79

24Rhizophora apiculata

(bakawang lalaki) 3 1.80 2.54

TOTAL 24 89.5 78.41 50 seedlings

TOTAL CROWN COVER: 78.41

PERCENT CROWN COVER: 78.41/ (1 quadrat x 100 sq.m.) = 78.41% (Excellent crown cover)

TOTAL HEIGHT OF ALL TREES: 89.5 m

AVERAGE HEIGHT: 89.5/ 24 TREES = 3.729 meters (Good average height of trees)







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Quadrat No. 3

Date: April 6, 2013 Location: Olo-olo, Lobo Batangas

GPS Reading: N-13° 37' 51.3'' E- 121° 13' 20.4'' Quadrat

#3

Tree

#

Species Ht.

(m)

Crown

Diameter (m)

Observations


1 Sonneratia alba (pagatpat) 6 3.00 7.07

2 Sonneratia alba (pagatpat) 5 2.00 3.14 65 seedlings




6 Avecennia marina (bungalon) 5 3.00 7.07



9 Avecennia marina (bungalon) 4 2.00 3.1410 Avecennia marina (bungalon) 3 1.00 0.79










20 Avecennia marina (bungalon) 2 1.00 0.7921 Avecennia marina (bungalon) 4 2.00 3.14









30 Rhizophora mucronata (bakawang

babae)

5 25.00 490.88

31 Rhizophora mucronata (bakawang

babae)

2 1.00 0.79

32 Rhizophora apiculata (bakawang

lalaki)

4 3.00 7.07


lalaki)

5 2.80 6.16


lalaki)

7 3.00 7.07

35 Rhizophora mucronata(bakawang

babae)

7 3.50 9.62

TOTAL 35 140 113.73 65 seedlings


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TOTAL CROWN COVER: 113.73

PERCENT CROWN COVER: 113.73/ (1 quadrat x 100 sq.m.) = 113.73% (Excellent crown cover)

TOTAL HEIGHT OF ALL TREES: 140 m

AVERAGE HEIGHT: 140/ 35 TREES = 4 meters (Good average height of trees)






Figure 2.2.32 Mangrove species distribution across three survey stations in Bgys.

Lagadlarin and Olo-olo, Batnagas. October 5, 2013 (Enumerator: Rowena Quimpo)

Table 2.2.24 Distribution of mangroves by species across three quadrats surveyed inLobo, Batangas; 05 October 2013

Mangrove Species No. of trees

Relativedistribution (%)

Sonneratia alba(Pagatpat) 9 8

Rhizophora mucronata (bakawang babae) 11 10

Rhizophora apiculata (bakawang lalaki) 7 6

Avecennia marina (bungalon) 74 66

Ceriops decandra (Malatangal) 22

Luminitzera racemosa (kulasi) 2 2

Avecennia alba (bungalon puti) 7 6

Sonneratia

alba(Pagatpat)

8%

Rhizophora

mucronata(bakawang

babae)

10%

Rhi zophora apiculata(

(ba kawang lalaki)

6%

Avecenniamarina(bungalon)

66%

Cerio ps decandra

(Malatangal)

2%

Luminitzera

racemosa(kulasi)

2%

Avecennia

al ba(bungalon puti)

6%

Distribution of mangrove species in 3 quadrats


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Total 112 100%

In all the stations surveyed, mangrove height was assessed to be ranging from Fair to Good, with the

lowest average height of 3.1 meters in Sation 1 and the highest in Station 2 at 4 meters. Crown cover

ranged from 78. 4% to 140% of the quadrats. The computed total crown cover for all species was

332.43 m2. The rate is considered as excellent.

Seedlings and saplings (regenerations) were also noted during the assessment. Results showed that

the total regeneration count in the assessed mangrove sites ranged from 16 was 21 individuals within

the 9 regeneration plots (3 plots for every quadrat) surveyed. The computed regeneration for the

assessed mangrove site was 2 seedling regenerations per square meter. This rate is considered as

an Excellent recruitment level. While presence of crustacean resources was not encountered in the

survey plots, fishers in the area alleged that mud crabs and shellfish are being harvested occasionally

in the area.

Following the standard index for characterizing the condition of mangrove forests, the assessment

concludes that the mangroves in the surveyed area in Bgys. Lagadlarin and Olo-olo, Lobo, Batangas

can be classified as in “Good to Excellent” condition.

2.2.2.5 Commercially-important Macro-invertebrates

Macro-invertebrate surveys were undertaken through opportunistic observations and grab sampling in

random points along the coral transect lines, mangrove quadrats, and seagrass transects. A total of

six stations were surveyed, spread out in more than the long stretch of coastline between Bgy.

Balibago and Bgy. Lagadlarin. The objective of the survey is to determine whether significant

populations of macro-invertebrates that are gathered by the community either for food or trade exist in

the survey areas. The investigation was focused on the presence of valuable species epi-benthic and

infaunal bivalves especially in seagrass and mangrove areas. The substrates where the core

samples were collected consisted of sandy (beach front) and silt/muddy tidal flats where seagrassesoccur. Qualitative sampling was conducted by means of scuba diving in station 1 (coral reef) and

station 2 (seagrass) while for station 3 to 6 (mangrove) qualitative survey was conducted by core

sampling. Table 2.2.26 shows the list of macro-invertebrates found in six stations and images of this

species are shown in Figure 2.2.33.

A total of 21 genera of macro-invertebrates were found belonging to Poriferans (3 species),

Gastropod (7 species), Bivalve (8 species), Echinoderm (5 species) and Holuthorian (1 species). In

terms of species richness, station 1 randomly chosen in coral reef areas has the highest with 10

species followed by station 3 to 6 in the mangrove swamp with 6 species and station 2 in seagrass

bed with 5 species. It is important to note that blue sea stars (Linckia laevata) were observed at very

high numbers during the fish visual sensus.

Based from “FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery

Purposes, twelve (12) species encountered were noted to have a commercial importance and/or

considered edible. These are Anodontia sp.,Trachycardium sp, Paphiagallus sp, Gafrarium sp., Turbo

sp. Nerita sp., Conus sp1, Conus sp2 , Cypraea sp., Cymatium sp., Salmacis belli and the spider shell

Lambis digita. In the coral reef stations, the presence of the coral-eating starfish – the crown of thorns

(Acanthaster sp), was noted. Overall, this survey indicates a high biodiversity and population of the

macro-invertebrates found in three major ecosystems. Also, most of the species found were of

significant interest to fisheries. Other macro-invertebrates species not covered by the random

selection of sampling area stations could still be present as indicated by anecdotal accounts of local

fisher folks. Key informants claim that significantly important and lucrative macro-invertebrates will

include the native Mud Crab (Scylla olivaceous), sea urchins of the species Tripneustes gratilla, the

black holothurian Stichopus chloronotus (trepang or balatan), the benthic bivalve Pinna bicolor , and

the infaunal bivalve Solletelina sp which is found in mangrove swamps bordered by the Lobo River.


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The yield from harvesting of these univalves and bivalves, however, has become increasingly smaller

in recent years due to intensive and non-selective exploitation

Table 2.2.25 List of benthic macroinvertebrate species found in six sampling stations covering

mangrove, seagrass and coral reef ecosystem in Lobo, Batangas during the Oct 3and 4, 2013

sampling

Station Habitat Group Scientific Name

1 Coral Gastropod Cymatium sp.

Gastropod Turbo sp.

Poriferan Sponge sp.1

Poriferan Sponge sp2

Gastropod Conus sp1

Gastropod Conus sp2

Gastropod Cyparaea sp.

Poriferan Axinella sp

Echinoderm Acanthaster sp (crown-of-

thorns)

Gastropod Lambis digitata

Documents

Lobo SEC 2.2 MARINE