The Verde Island Passage marine biodiversity conservation corridor in the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape is a conservation hotspot, an area with very high biodiversity but also an area that experiences the most severe threats. The Verde Island Passage is home to numerous tourism businesses and has great potential for ecotourism development. However, threats to its underwater treasures are plagued with increased threats from coastal infrastructure development, pollution, and destructive fishing. Verde Island Passage is known for its beautiful beaches and dive sites – a popular destination among local and foreign tourists. There are numerous beach resorts lining the coastline of Batangas province, as well as several dive sites – all providing economic opportunities to the coastal communities of Verde Island Passage. The area is likewise a major site for the collection of aquarium fishes. Steps to develop a sustainable mechanism for the aquarium fish trade through certification of collecting sites, as well as fishers engaged in the business in now underway.  In a survey conducted in 2006 (Dolar, et. al), several cetacean species were recorded in the Verde Island Passage with the Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) having the highest number of sightings. The following species were also identified: spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) spotted dolphin (S. attenuata), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and Fraser’s dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei). Skeletal remains of a stranded dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) were also found which may indicate the presence of the species in the area.
Sea turtles (hawksbill, olive ridley and green turtles), giant groupers, whale sharks, marine mammals, and giant clams thriving in the area are in danger against man-made interventions in the Verde Island Passage. The presence of port and energy facilities (oil, gas, and geothermal) also impacts on the marine environment and resources of the area. Fishing is one of the major activities of coastal communities in the Verde Island Passage. There are thousands of registered fisherman and fishing crafts in the various coastal municipalities, as well as registered commercial fishing vessels – all taking a toll on the thriving fisheries of Verde Island Passage. But the challenge of managing a sustainable fishing industry remains, as destructive fishing methods and unsustainable harvests are reported in the area. To assure a consistent commitment throughout the governance structure, the Executive Order No. 578, title: Establishing the national policy on biological diversity prescribing its implementation throughout the country, particularly in the Sulu Sulawesi Marine Ecosystem and the Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor, was signed last November 8, 2006 by Philippine President Gloria M. Arroyo.
Under this order, CI-Philippines is a member to the Ad Hoc Task Force that drafted the Verde Island Passage Framework Plan, which defines the extent of the Verde Passage corridor wherein 1.14 million-hectares of coasts and waters are appropriately managed. Under the framework plan, a group was organized and was tasked to implement management activities in Verde Passage. Previous | Next | 
Conservation Corridors 
