Marine Ecosystem Resilience in Shimizu Island, El Nido Managed Resource Protected Area (ENMRPA), Palawan
Submitted to: Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), ENMRPA
Submitted by: Climate Change Commission (CCC) & EcoDive Venture, OPC
Executive Summary
The El Nido Managed Resource Protected Area (ENMRPA) is one of the Philippines' most ecologically significant marine protected areas, harboring diverse coral reef ecosystems that provide critical ecological, economic, and social benefits.
Fisheries Productivity
Marine Biodiversity
Tourism Development
Climate Resilience
Introduction & Project Rationale
The Philippines is situated within the Coral Triangle — recognized globally as the epicenter of marine biodiversity. Palawan, particularly El Nido, contains some of the country's most valuable coral reef ecosystems and serves as an important refuge for numerous marine species.
Ecological Functions of Coral Reefs
Supporting marine biodiversity
Habitat & nursery grounds for fish
Coastline protection from erosion
Supporting fisheries & food security
Sustaining tourism & recreation
Enhancing climate resilience
Growing Threats
Coral bleaching from rising temperatures
Extreme weather events
Sedimentation and runoff
Tourism-related impacts
Marine pollution
Illegal fishing practices
Physical damage from anchoring
This project will establish baseline ecological data, assess reef health, determine biodiversity status, identify environmental stressors, and evaluate restoration opportunities — ensuring future interventions are evidence-based and environmentally responsible.
Project Goal & Objectives
To strengthen marine ecosystem resilience, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management within ENMRPA through scientific assessment, habitat mapping, biodiversity monitoring, and restoration suitability evaluation.
Specific Objectives
Determine live hard coral cover and benthic composition
Assess coral diversity and reef condition
Evaluate coral health and identify signs of environmental stress
Assess reef fish diversity, abundance, and biomass
Conduct marine invertebrate assessments
Monitor critical water quality parameters
Produce GIS-based habitat and reef condition maps
Identify natural and anthropogenic threats affecting reef ecosystems
Evaluate suitability of selected areas for future artificial reef deployment
Develop science-based recommendations for conservation and restoration
Project Methodology
Phase 1 - Project Mobilization
Coordination meetings with ENMRPA, stakeholder consultations, site reconnaissance, safety planning, and establishment of survey stations.
Phase 2 - Coral Reef Health Assessment
Line Intercept Transect (LIT): 3–5 transects of 50m each. Parameters: live hard coral, soft coral, dead coral, rubble, sand, rock, macroalgae. Photo Quadrat Survey for long-term monitoring.
Phase 3 - Reef Fish Assessment
Underwater Visual Census (UVC). Parameters: species richness, density, abundance, biomass, trophic composition. Target groups: Butterflyfish, Parrotfish, Surgeonfish, Groupers, Snappers.
Phase 4 - Marine Invertebrate Assessment
Target organisms: Giant clams, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, crustaceans, mollusks. Parameters: species composition, population density, distribution.
Phase 5 - Water Quality Monitoring
Parameters: Temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, water transparency.
Phase 6 - GIS Habitat Mapping
Outputs: Coral reef distribution maps, habitat classification maps, threat maps, reef condition maps, restoration suitability maps.
Phase 7 - Artificial Reef Suitability Assessment
Evaluation of: existing reef condition, water depth, current velocity, substrate stability, biodiversity value. Suitability Classification: Highly Suitable | Moderately Suitable | Unsuitable.
Project Management & Technical Team
The project shall be implemented by a multidisciplinary team possessing expertise in marine ecology, scientific diving, biodiversity assessment, habitat mapping, project management, and environmental documentation.
Joyce B. Hufton – Project Director
Overall project oversight, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, coordination with government agencies, quality assurance, and project supervision.
Mark Canatuan – Project Team Leader
Day-to-day project management, coordination with ENMRPA, BCMC, and PAMB, supervision of field activities, stakeholder consultations, and technical report preparation.
Gerold Aton – Marine Biologist
Coral reef assessment design, coral identification, reef health evaluation, biodiversity monitoring, fish and invertebrate assessments, ecological data analysis.
Nhello Cherra Nunez – GIS Specialist
GPS data collection, habitat mapping, spatial analysis, GIS-based technical maps, restoration suitability mapping, data visualization.
Geraldine Catilo – Safety Diver
Dive safety management, risk assessment, emergency preparedness, field operation safety compliance, equipment inspection and maintenance.
Camelle Arago – Videographer & Photographer
Underwater photography and videography, documentation of field activities, visual records for technical reports, production of communication materials.
Expected Outputs & Outcomes
Technical Outputs
Coral Reef Health Assessment Report
Coral Cover & Benthic Composition Database
Coral Health Status Report
Reef Fish Assessment Report
Marine Invertebrate Assessment Report
Water Quality Monitoring Report
GIS Habitat Maps
Artificial Reef Suitability Assessment Report
Management Outputs
Conservation Recommendations
Restoration Prioritization Framework
Long-Term Monitoring Framework
Biodiversity Management Recommendations
Inputs for Marine Spatial Planning
Expected Outcomes
Ecological Outcomes
Improved reef condition understanding, enhanced biodiversity conservation planning, identification of restoration priority sites, strengthened ecosystem monitoring.
Social Outcomes
Increased stakeholder awareness, improved community participation, enhanced environmental stewardship.
Economic Outcomes
Sustainable tourism support, fisheries resource protection, long-term ecosystem service enhancement.
Project Timeline & Environmental Safeguards
6-Month Implementation Timeline
Month 1
Coordination & Planning — Meetings with ENMRPA, stakeholder consultations, site reconnaissance, safety planning.
Month 2
Site Reconnaissance & Setup — Establishment of survey stations, equipment preparation, baseline documentation.
Months 3–4
Field Assessments — Coral reef health assessment, reef fish assessment, invertebrate assessment, water quality monitoring.
Month 4–5
GIS Mapping & Data Analysis — Habitat mapping, spatial analysis, data processing and interpretation.
Month 5–6
Report Writing — Preparation of all technical and management outputs.
Month 6
Final Submission — Submission of complete project reports and recommendations to PAMB.
Environmental Safeguards
No collection of live coral specimens
No destruction of marine habitats
Minimal contact with reef structures
Strict waste management protocols
Full compliance with ENMRPA regulations and PAMB directives
Adherence to recognized diving safety standards
Legal Basis & Project Area
Legal Framework
RA 7586: National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992
RA 11038: Expanded NIPAS Act of 2018
RA 8550 / RA 10654: Philippine Fisheries Code
RA 9147: Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act
RA 9729: Climate Change Act of 2009
RA 9512: Environmental Awareness and Education Act
ENMRPA Management Plan, PAMB Policies, DENR Biodiversity Conservation Guidelines
Project Area
Primary Assessment Site: Shimizu Island — one of the most visited marine tourism destinations within ENMRPA, renowned for its vibrant coral reefs and marine life.
Miniloc Island
Matinloc Island
Tapiutan Island
Bacuit Bay
Future comparative sites are subject to approval by ENMRPA and PAMB.
Conclusion & Endorsement Request
The proposed Coral Reef Health Assessment, Biodiversity Monitoring, and Artificial Reef Suitability Evaluation for Marine Ecosystem Resilience in Shimizu Island represents a science-based initiative designed to support the long-term conservation and sustainable management of marine resources within the El Nido Managed Resource Protected Area.
Through comprehensive ecological assessment, biodiversity monitoring, habitat mapping, and restoration suitability evaluation, the project will generate critical baseline information necessary for informed management decisions and future conservation actions.
The proponents respectfully seek the endorsement of the Biodiversity Conservation and Monitoring Committee (BCMC) and the approval of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) for the implementation of this project.
Joyce B. Hufton
Project Director, EcoDive Venture OPC
Coral Reef Health Assessment, Biodiversity Monitoring & Artificial Reef Suitability Evaluation