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Comparative assessment of coral and fish communities inside and outside a marine protected area (MPA) in Verde Island, Batangas City, Philippines
Thesis Abstract:
The establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) is one of the most common management options employed to protect important biodiversity within an area. This study sought to determine the effects of protection by assessing the present condition of the MPA and compare the composition and abundance of coral and reef fish communities inside and outside the MPA. The live corals (hard and soft corals) were found to be in good condition in Pulong Bato (inside MPA) while live corals in San Agapito (outside MPA) were in fair condition. The percentage cover of soft coral was significantly higher inside the MPA. Similarly, fish abundance and fish biomass were five times and eight times higher inside the MPA than outside, respectively. These results showed that the establishment of MPA significantly contributed to the protection of reef fish. The household perception survey conducted revealed that the community perceived improvements in the coral condition and fish catch after the declaration of MPA. However, the encroachment problem was identified as a probable reason why high-valued fish were rarely observed inside the MPA. The results of the study point to the need for management to focus on the enforcement of rules and regulations inside the MPA for effective conservation of natural resources.