The municipal government of Currimao, Ilocos Norte has set up a seagrass and seaweeds nursery at the Pangil Rock Formation to boost its coastal management program.
Ericson Biag, municipal agriculturist and municipal environment and natural resources designate of the Currimao government, said Wednesday the project is a “trial and error” research study to determine the most suitable seagrass and seaweeds that can be mass-produced in fish sanctuaries and marine conservation sites in the municipality.
For two months, the nursery area will be closely monitored by the project researchers and will be restricted to visitors.
“The research study is initiated by Vice Mayor Sandra Go, with the support of the local chief executive and the Mariano Marcos State University’s marine biology department,” said Biag.
Over the years, it has been observed that the beds of seagrass and seaweeds in the coastal municipality have been depleted due to damage caused by boaters, walkers, and fishermen.
Biag said this prompted concerned local government officials to conduct habitat restoration activities such as the nursery project.
Declared as a conservation site with its rich coral gardens and marine fish sanctuary, the Currimao rock formation is frequently visited by beachgoers for its two-kilometer sprawling coastline of unique coral gardens and shallow tidal pools ideal for swimming.
To preserve its natural beauty, the local government unit of Currimao strictly prohibits the dumping of wastes and collecting of bonsai in its protected landscape.
Meanwhile, the 13-hectare Pangil fish sanctuary in Currimao town also forms part of the adopted marine protected areas in the province under the close watch of the Philippine National Police Maritime Group.
Source: Philippines News Agency