The Blue Zoo Heritage Society is developing a partnership with the Manta Network for their flagship project: the Manta Ray Conservation Program in Ticao Island, Masbate, Philippines.

Blue Zoo is a non-profit organization dedicated for research, conservation, education and recreation of Philippine marine resources. This newly-formed society, currently under process of registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is composed of a continuously expanding membership of Filipino marine-enthusiasts who share the spirit of safeguarding the sanctity of one of the Philippines’ most precious resources. With the growth of the local diving industry and increasing interest of concerned sectors, Blue Zoo is envisioned to be a frontliner in advocating marine protection and education in the Philippines.

In brief, the flagship project seeks for the conservation of the Manta Rays frequenting the waters of Ticao Island in Masbate by converting the people into active protectors of these sea creatures along with the introduction and development of alternative livelihood programs. The culmination of this 5-year program seeks the establishment of a self-sustaining Ticao Manta Ray Research Center which guarantees continuous specie studies and protection.

We have already begun initial information campaigns and recruiting members into the society. Simultaneously, we are establishing linkages with local government units, policy-makers, local groups and communities, dive associations, media, etc. The support from the local government units in Ticao Island and Masbate, including representatives from the Congress (Lower House) has been very favorable. We’ll be more than happy to let you know of the detailed project action plan.

As an affiliate of the Manta Research Network, we are securing a long-term partnership characterized by sharing of knowledge/research data and experience, and assistance on technical matters and program implementation/monitoring. The Manta Network's support and commitment will certainly contribute to the success of the Manta Ray Conservation Program in Ticao Island.

Mark E.M. Villanueva
Boardmember, Blue Zoo Heritage Society
Executive Director, Cause Communication (the IEC Non-government Organization)

Cause Communication is located at Unit 4H, N&M bldg., 1184 Chino Roces ave., Makati City, Philippines Telephone: (063-2-8993648)

MANILA, PHILIPPINES
Friday-Saturday
October 22, 2004

Saving Ticao’s Mantas
By Norman P. Aquino, Senior Reporter

A nongovernmental organization composed of diving enthusiasts and environmentalists is spearheading a campaign that seeks to save the giant manta rays of Ticao island in Masbate.

Calling itself the Blue Zoo Heritage Society, Inc., the group is also enlisting the support of several municipalities in the area to conserve the rays through research and strong community participation.

"We hope to duplicate the success of Donsol as a major eco-tourism destination. With the help of the local community as major stakeholders and beneficiaries, it can be done," said John Paolo Calleja, one of the incorporators of the group.

The five-year conservation program involves research and documentation of the manta birostris, community behavior and attitude, as well as the site's eco-tourism potential.

Mark Villanueva, who helped prepare the conservation plan, said research as an initial project component is very significant since it provides scientific information on the behavior, importance and role of the manta rays. "The concept is to gather scientific data on the manta rays and convert analysis into an action plan for creating understanding and protection of the sea creatures," he added.

Mr. Villanueva, a development communications specialist, said research would help the group identify the forces under a "social marketing environment." The program also seeks to empower partner institutions and residents as guardians and managers of their marine environment through an effective communication campaign and by helping the community develop alternative means of livelihood.

The body of water within the area of Burias island in Sorsogon, and Ticao island in Masbate is known as Ticao pass. Like Donsol's waters, it has a dense concentration of plankton, krill, and small fish, making it ideal as a feeding ground for mantas.

Ticao, one of the three major islands of Masbate, has received scant attention from tourists. Then news of manta sightings in the area that would later on be called the Manta Bowl reached local and foreign divers - mostly Japanese - who started visiting the area to get a glimpse of the friendly creatures close to their hearts.

Unlike sightings in dive sites elsewhere, the mantas of Ticao are big. They are also almost a guarantee, aside from the fact that they are known to linger for a while and sometimes even get near adventure-seeking divers. It is estimated that an average of three manta rays are being killed in Ticao every week. This is equivalent to 144 mantas killed each year but the number could even be higher.

Fisheries Administrative Order No. 193 makes it unlawful to catch, sell, buy, possess, transport and export whale sharks and manta rays. These species have been declared protected creatures.

Mantas or devilfishes are found in temperate and tropical waters near continents and island groups of all oceans. These cartilaginous fish, also called devil rays and sea bats, have greatly extended, wing-like pectoral fins. The largest, the Atlantic manta, can measure up to seven meters from tip to tip of the fins. Giant manta rays have also been spotted in Tubbataha reefs off Sulu sea near Palawan. The manta is characterized by a pair of forward-pointing lobes on each side of the head, with a presumed resemblance to a devil's horns. These lobes are used to guide plankton and small crustaceans into the fish's mouth as it cruises near the surface; dense gill rakers extract the plankton. The fish is generally harmless to humans.

Blue Zoo representatives noted that instead of a handful of people profiting from the mantas' killings, people from the municipalities of Monreal, San Jacinto, San Fernando and Batuan stand to benefit more from the conservation of mantas. The conservation program also seeks to strengthen the capabilities of partner institutions and organizations in marine conservation, resource use and eco-tourism.

Meanwhile, an information campaign will seek to create awareness leading to behavioral change in the local community. This will be done through video documentaries, radio plugs, leaflets and other printed materials. The program will also try to introduce ecologically sustainable activities or alternative income-generating projects such as eco-tourism and other environmentally sustainable means of livelihood.

To ensure the success of eco-tourism, the program will study the site for other attractions as well as promote Ticao as a tourism investment destination. The last phase of the five-year program involves project evaluation and monitoring to ensure the environment is preserved during the course of eco-tourism activities.

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