Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park lies in a unique position in the centre of the Sulu Sea. The area is home to a great diversity of marine life and protects an area of almost 100,000 hectares of high quality marine habitats containing three atolls and a large area of deep sea. It plays a key role in the process of reproduction, dispersal and colonisation by marine organisms in the whole Sulu Sea system, and helps support fisheries outside its boundaries.

Expedition Location

The 2012 expedition was held at Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea, Philippines a premier diving destination in Southeast Asia that lies in the global center of marine biodiversity. The Tubbataha Reef Natural Park covers 130,028 and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1994. The site is an excellent example of a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100-m perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons and two coral islands. The two atoll reefs that form Tubbataha are the best regional example of a well-protected, no fishing, marine park that contains a very diverse and abundant array of fish, corals and other animals in clear and pollution free waters. This diving site is rated among the top ten in the world.

It plays a key role in the process of reproduction, dispersal and colonization by marine organisms in the whole Sulu Sea system, and helps support fisheries outside its boundaries. The property is a natural laboratory for the study of ecological and biological processes, displaying the ongoing process of coral reef formation, and supporting a large number of marine species dependant on reef ecosystems.

Expedition Purpose

The purpose of the reef monitoring expedition was to determine the coral reef condition within the Tubbataha Reef Natural Park and several surrounding reefs including Jessie Beasley Reefs in comparison to monitoring data collected in 2008, 2004, 2000, 1996, 1992, 1989 and 1984 using similar methods. The expedition results will support the current management of Tubbataha Reef Natural Park and indicate effectiveness of protection from illegal fishing and improper tourism activities in the area.

What data was collected?

The dive volunteers and staff will make surveys to document the status of the coral reefs in Tubbataha Reef Natural Park by collecting the following information:

Percent bottom cover of living coral
Percent bottom cover of non-living reef substrates (e.g. rock, rubble, sand, dead coral)
Percent bottom cover of other living substrates (e.g. seagrass, algae, sponges)
Fish species diversity per unit area
Total number of fish individuals per unit area
Total number of fish species on the reef
Number of indicator species per unit area (e.g. butterflyfish, giant clams, lobsters, Triton shells, Crown-of-thorns seastars and others)
Presence of large marine life (e.g. sharks, manta rays, Bumphead wrasses, sea turtles,
whales and dolphins, and others)
Causes of coral damage
Presence of visitors of intruders in the area
Effectiveness of management protection in the area

All the data collected on this trip was summarised in the following report and disseminated to all interested parties in the Philippines and elsewhere. It is helping guide and improve management efforts and give us all an indications of the condition of the reefs in Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, Sulu Sea, Philippines

The Results

Encompassing 97,000 hectares, the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is one of the greatest Philippine natural treasures. Its global ecological importance is recognized as studies show that it is a source of larvae for the ﬁshing grounds and coral reefs around the Sulu Sea (U.P. Visayas 2010). The atoll reefs of Tubbataha are also home to thousands of marine species that attract scuba diving tourists and researchers from all over the world to revel in the underwater wonders that this unique marine park offers.

This report is an analysis of the condition of the Tubbataha Reefs, at seven selected and recognized dive sites within the protected area. Live hard coral ranged from fair to good. The highest percentage of live hard coral (LHC) was recorded at NR-2 (Ranger Station) in the deep portion of the reef with 55.9 ± 10.3%, which was followed by SR-4 (Black Rock Anchorage, 51.3 ± 10.7 Jessie Beazley was the lowest (49.8 ± 12.2%). Despite a Crown-of-Thorns breakout at NR-2 in 2009, LHC cover seems to have been maintained since 2008. The overall trend suggests that LHC has generally been improving over time since the 1998 ENSO bleaching episode as seen in signiﬁcant and increasing trend of LHC cover from 2000 to the present.

The general declining pattern in ﬁsh densities and species diversity were most likely inﬂuenced by external factors, e.g., observer bias (less experienced ﬁsh visual census specialists) and variation in spatial distribution of ﬁsh communities throughout the expedition. Butterﬂyﬁsh species seen totaled to 28. The study site with the highest ﬁsh density (3169 ± 1035.5 ﬁsh/500m2), highest species richness (41.8 ± 8.6 species/500m2) and highest target ﬁsh biomass (447.5 ± 438.6 kg/500m2) was SR1/Lighthouse. Throughout the expedition, it was observed by researchers that there was an increase in large marine life sightings – sharks, Napoleon wrasses, turtles, Bumphead parrotﬁsh, rays, and even a Whaleshark – as compared to 2008.

With the recent addition of Jessie Beazley Reef to the marine park, and with its inclusion in regular patrolling, an improvement in this site is evident this year. LHC appears to be increasing, suggesting recovery, although not at signiﬁcant levels. Recognised as a major source of ﬁsh and coral larva for ﬁsheries, upon observation by researchers, the reef shows general recovery overall with high ﬁsh density (1427.2 ± 302.3 ﬁsh/500m2) and moderate ﬁsh species richness (27.2 ± 5.8 species/500m2) .

In conclusion, one can only notice that Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park continues to be a proud legacy of the Tubbataha Management Office and its Park Rangers. As an important and rich marine resource, it continues to lend hope to the Philippines in sustaining food security and increasing eco-tourism. The Saving Philippine Reefs team is conﬁdent that the dedicated individuals behind the protection of TRNP will continue to stay inspired and motivated with these results. It is important to maintain and improve efforts in patrolling, education, and research to maintain the already resilient protected area to overcome future challenges.

The Organisation

Coastal Conservation & Education Foundation

Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the management and sustainable use of Philippine coastal resources through active leadership and participation of coastal communities and stakeholders. Driven by its passion to create sustainable coasts and actively engage communities, CCEF develops and disseminate tools, techniques and research for better marine management, while promoting integrated coastal management approach that includes marine protected areas (MPAs) localized law enforcement and other participatory best practices.

Find out more info here: https://www.coast.ph/

2004 SPR Tubbataha