TIM eMagazine Vol.2 Issue 3
Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources shared that Benham Rise was designated as an Ecologically
and Biologically Significant Marine Area (EBSA) by 196 countries
during the 13th Meeting of the Convention of Parties (COP) to the
Convention of Biological Diversity in Mexico in December 2016.
EBSAs are said to be “geographically or oceanographically
discrete areas that provide important services to one or more species
or populations of an ecosystem or to the ecosystem as a whole,
compared to other surrounding areas or areas of similar ecological
characteristics, or otherwise meet the following scientific criteria:
Uniqueness or rarity, Special importance for life history stages of
species, Importance for threatened, endangered or declining species
and / or habitats, Vulnerability, fragility, sensitivity or slow recovery,
Biological productivity, Biological diversity and Naturalness.” Benham
Rise scored high in four of the seven criteria, a global recognition of its
importance, and of being pristine and unique.
The COP Decision described Benham Rise as “relatively pristine …
of critical ecological importance, including for offshore mesophotic
coral reef biodiversity and for the sustainability of fisheries.” It added
that “aside from being an important source of biodiversity and
contributing to the resiliency of threatened ecosystems,” Benham
Rise was also cited as “forming part of the only known spawning area
of the Pacific blue fin tuna, Thunnus orientalis.” Other world famous
EBSAs include the famed Galapagos Islands in Ecuador and the Rajah
Ampat Park in Indonesia.
“We need to conduct more research on Benham Rise to know
exactly what there is to protect,” explained BMB Director Mundita Lim.
The Philippine government has launched several expeditions to
the vast and still-largely unexplored region. Last May 2016, Oceana
joined government scientists from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources (BFAR), plus the University of the Philippines, Philippine
Coast Guard and Philippine Navy for an expedition to Benham Bank.
The expedition team reported an astounding 100% coral cover in
the surveyed area – where corals grew atop other corals. In a country
where healthy reefs are the exception rather than the rule, Benham
Bank is a treasure trove for oceanic life. Scientists cited the area as
a potential refuge for shallow reef fish and other marine organisms
which can be affected by climate change.
“Where else can we find 100% coral cover?” asks Oceana
Philippines Vice-president Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos. “This area
is possibly the most pristine reef in the country, which is why it
was declared as an EBSA. We must work together and exercise our
sovereign rights to nurture and protect it. The first step is to declare
the pristine Benham Bank as a no-take zone, immediately shielding it
from any form of exploitation.”
Oceana has been pursuing its campaign through university talks,
dialogues and photo exhibits – one of which has been set-up at the
Senate of the Philippines from 29 May to 2 June.
"We’ll actively protect and strongly defend the breadth and depth
of our territories to ensure that future generations of Filipinos will
still have the opportunity to take pride and find joy in our country’s
rich biodiversity. The Philippine Rise (formerly called Benham Rise)
contributes tremendously to our biodiversity with its vast reef
ecosystem, presence of numerous species of fish and other natural
resources. Let’s continue to protect it,” says Senator Cynthia Villar.
Oceana is also gathering public support to protect the area
through an online petition and sign-ups in its Benham Rise campus
tours.
“We fully support our government’s initiative to develop a
management framework to ensure the protection of this special
place. Whatever the case, Oceana will always be ready to jump in and
help,” concludes Oceana marine scientist Marianne Pan-Saniano.
Allies raise their hands to pledge for the protection of Benham Bank and the Philippine
Rise, after an Oceana-led film showing at the Senate of the Philippines. (Oceana)
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