If you are a big fan of regional politics in Cebu (who isn’t?) then you already know that Malapascua (Monad Shoal) and Gato Island have just been designated the first Shark and Ray Sanctuary in The Philippines.
WOW!
This is spectacular news and a great result for Malapascua. So who should we thank? The politicians? The environmentalists? The Business Sector? Well yes but for sure we can thank YOU!
In 2010 Evolution was one of the founding members of the Malapascua Marine Protection Fund. Along with a few other committed dive centres we recognised the importance of the unique fauna of Malapascua and the lack of protection. So we formed an alliance with some great colleagues on the island and set up a fund that managed donations made by YOU! If you have dived with Evolution in the last 5 years you have contributed a small conservation fee. This money has been collected and has been used to pay a Bantay Dagat (Sea Watch) team to guard our dive sites, especially Monad Shoal where the sharks appear daily.
Now 5 years later donations from divers and the business sector have paid for 3 boats to patrol the island and it pays the salary of 14 Bantay Dagat who used to fish for a living and now protect them instead. This infrastructure that is already in place and has proven to work has helped influence the decision to create a sanctuary and the MMPF will be a key stakeholder as we move forward and fight harder to protect our incredible marine environment.
So thanks for your support and congratulations on a job well done, you made a difference! And if you haven’t yet dived Malapascua then don’t worry, there is a bight future ahead and plenty of time to contribute to the protection of our sharks and rays.
For more information on the MMPF contact info@evolution.com.ph
