• Nestled in the heart of the Coral Triangle, one of the most biodiverse marine regions on the planet, Panaon Island is a jewel of the Philippines’ natural heritage.
• Despite its biodiversity, Panaon Island faces growing threats, so a broad coalition of community leaders, environmental advocates and government agencies have rallied to designate the waters surrounding it as a new marine protected area (MPA).
• But safeguarding marine habitats requires more than designations and new maps. “Marine protected areas need proper funding, active monitoring and strong enforcement to prevent illegal activities from undermining conservation,” a new op-ed says.
• This article is a commentary. The views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily of Mongabay.

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Climate change is pushing coral reefs to the brink. A new scientific report warns that the world has already crossed its first climate tipping point, and reefs could face long-term decline unless global warming slows dramatically. But despair is not the only option.

In the Philippines, new marine protections prove that communities and governments can act with urgency, creating pockets of resilience that give reefs — and the people who depend on them — a fighting chance.

Nestled in the heart of the Coral Triangle, one of the most biodiverse marine regions on the planet, Panaon Island is a jewel of the Philippines’ natural heritage. Its vibrant coral reefs teem with life, forming a seascape where marine species thrive in dazzling color and size. With coral cover reaching 60% — three times the national average — these reefs provide vital habitat for marine life, from whale sharks and sea turtles to the endangered Philippine duck. Seagrass meadows and mangrove forests further enhance the island’s ecological value, while protecting the coastline from storm surges and serving as nurseries for fish stocks that sustain local communities.

The reefs of the Coral Triangle are immensely rich. Image by Jeff Britnell / Coral Reef Image Bank.

Despite its biodiversity, Panaon Island faces growing threats. A 21-day expedition by global ocean conservation organization Oceana revealed alarming evidence of illegal and destructive fishing, plastic pollution suffocating corals and wildlife, and infestations of crown-of-thorns starfish, an invasive species that can decimate reefs. Combined with the escalating impacts of climate change, these threats could degrade one of the Philippines’ most precious marine ecosystems, harming both biodiversity and the local communities who depend on the ocean for their livelihoods.

This is why a broad coalition of community leaders, environmental advocates and government agencies rallied to legally designate the waters surrounding Panaon Island as a marine protected area (MPA). A law was passed in late August that put Panaon Island on track to becoming a beacon of conservation as a protected seascape under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act. Undoubtedly, it marked a victory for local communities and wildlife, and a milestone in the global race to protect the ocean.

Leading the way in marine conservation

The Philippines’ new Protected Seascape, containing several existing local marine protected areas, is set to span 60,000 hectares (almost 150,000 acres) of critical habitat. Fishing communities already have a deep understanding of what must be done to protect the area, but this landmark legislation will empower them through local governance and enforcement.

Panaon residents played a central role in securing this protection. Fisherfolk, regional officials and Filipino conservation advocates worked together to make the case for marine protection, ensuring conservation efforts aligned with the needs of the communities. This is crucial in countries like the Philippines, where more than 100 million people depend on the ocean for their livelihood.

The designation of Panaon Island was also backed by rigorous research. It includes one of the reefs identified by the 50 Reefs study supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, in which scientists identified a group of reefs most likely to survive the impacts of climate change if protected from threats such as destructive fishing and pollution. Protecting these climate-resilient reefs is a strategic move in the fight to save coral ecosystems, and the communities around the globe who depend on them.

The Protected Seascape designation was a crucial first step, but as we now move ahead effective management and enforcement will be critical. Over the course of last year, Oceana held consultations and capacity-building sessions with local stakeholders across the island, uncovering and sharing concerns to create a management plan.

Through policies integrating scientific research, community engagement and enforcement mechanisms, the Philippines is setting an example for how ocean protection can be ambitious, inclusive and achievable.

Healthy reef off the coast of Panaon Island. Image courtesy of Danny Ocampo / Oceana.

Why this matters for 30×30

Countries worldwide have pledged to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030 (the global 30×30 target). Achieving this goal is essential not only for safeguarding biodiversity but also for global food security and combating climate change. Healthy marine ecosystems store carbon, regulate weather patterns and sustain the livelihoods of millions.

Yet only 9.9% of the ocean is currently designated as protected, and less than 3% is effectively managed. Industrial activities like offshore drilling and seafloor trawling — at times even inside MPAs — continue to degrade marine habitats at an alarming rate. The Philippines’ move to protect Panaon Island offers a powerful model for how governments can turn commitments into action.

A call for global action

The designation of Panaon Island is a victory worth celebrating, but it also serves as a reminder of how much more needs to be done. With just over five years left to meet the global target to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030, much of the ocean remains vulnerable to exploitation and harm. The governments that have committed to achieve 30×30 must act with urgency and turn pledges into protection.

Safeguarding marine habitats requires more than just drawing lines on a map, more than symbolic gestures. Marine protected areas need proper funding, active monitoring and strong enforcement to prevent illegal activities from undermining conservation.

At the heart of successful ocean protection are the people who rely on it most. Indigenous peoples and coastal communities have long been the most effective stewards of nature, and their voices must be central in conservation.

The Philippines has set an inspiring example, showing that bold action is possible. Now, it’s time for other nations to follow suit. The ocean cannot wait.

 

Antha Williams is the environment lead at Bloomberg Philanthropies; Loren Legarda is a senator of the Philippines.

Editor’s note: Bloomberg Philanthropies, which employs one of the co-authors, is a major funder of the conservation advocacy organization discussed above, Oceana.

Related audio from Mongabay’s podcast: A recent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on climate change was celebrated by islands for providing certainty on their maritime boundaries regardless of sea level rise, listen to our discussion about that with environmental lawyer Angelique Pouponneau here:

See related coverage:

A deal signals a new chapter for Chagossians, and one of the world’s largest marine no-fishing zones

Zanzibar must act to conserve its natural & cultural heritage for the future (commentary)

Seafloor survey in Cambodia finds simple anti-trawling blocks help seagrass recover

Citations:

Selig, E. R., Hole, D. G., Allison, E. H., Arkema, K. K., McKinnon, M. C., Chu, J., … Zvoleff, A. (2019). Mapping global human dependence on marine ecosystems. Conservation Letters, 12(2), e12617. doi:10.1111/conl.12617

Beyer, H. L., Kennedy, E. V., Beger, M., Chen, C. A., Cinner, J. E., Darling, E. S., … Hoegh‐Guldberg, O. (2018). Risk‐sensitive planning for conserving coral reefs under rapid climate change. Conservation Letters, 11(6), e12587. doi:10.1111/conl.12587

Virdin, J., Basurto, X., Nico, G., Harper, S., Del Mar Mancha-Cisneros, M., Vannuccini, S., … Franz, N. (2023). Fishing for subsistence constitutes a livelihood safety net for populations dependent on aquatic foods around