PHILIPPINES, Jandayan Island - July 2003
Enforcement of three existing marine sanctuaries and support for sustainable alternative livelihoods
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Jandayan Island is approximately 120 acres in size with three villages totaling 2,200 people. The island is one of the poorest in the region due to depleted marine resources. The three island communities have created marine protected areas encompassing 150 acres of mangroves, seagrass beds and reef slopes. In exchange, Seacology is providing guardhouses, motorboats and radio equipment for enforcement of the preserves, as well as demarcation and mooring buoys. Additionally, Seacology, in cooperation with Project Seahorse, is providing equipment for organic gardening, organic poultry production and seaweed production as alternative income sources, as well as demonstration plots and training for small gardens throughout the villages.
UPDATE July 2004 - Three marine protected area guardhouses in the villages of Handumon, Jandayan Norte and Jandayan Sur were completed. Three patrol boats have been purchased to provide mobility to the fish wardens who will be manning the guardhouses on a 24-hour basis. In February 2004 village officials, the town's mayor, the local congressman, members of the coastal development council and Project Seahorse Foundation helped inaugurate the new guardhouses and patrol boats.
UPDATE January 2005 - In early 2004 the three marine protected area guardhouses were completed, patrol boats were purchased to provide mobility to the fish wardens manning the guardhouses, and marker buoys were installed to better outline to marine protected areas. The construction process helped solidify new partnerships with local agencies, allowing villages to procure on-going support for fuel for the patrol boats and technical assistance. The alternative livelihood portion of the grant is ongoing, with training and workshops taking place in organic vegetable farming, organic chicken production and handicraft production. Plans for 2005 include creating a supply point in each village for one of the three livelihoods so that materials can be gathered and then distributed effectively.
