Coral Cover and Fish Abundance in Sicogon Island, Northern Iloilo, Philippines
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Abstract
Corals are tiny animals called polyps that live in colonies underwater, either in patches or extensive reefs. The country has an estimated 27,000 km2 of coral reef with only about 5% of this area still in excellent condition. The coral reefs provide high primary productivity and high fishery yields for food security, coastal protection, tourism, education, research and aesthetic value. Sicogon Island is an island in northern Iloilo Province, which is part of the municipality of Carles and it is approximately 140 kilometers from Iloilo City. It is comprised of three barangays namely Buaya, San Fernando and Alipata with an estimated coral reef area of 9.5 hectares. The existing live hard coral reef cover in Sicogon Island, Carles, Iloilo is in fair to good condition (40.44% - 65.51%). In four sites surveyed, fringing reefs off-shore of Brgy. Alipata and Brgy. San Fernando were in good coral cover condition while the two sites in Brgy. Buaya (Timberland and Purok 2) surveyed were in fair condition. The reef fish’s abundance and density in the reefs of four sites were low and fishes belong to Pomacentridae family (damsel fish) dominated the fishes observed in the area. This study will serve as baseline data to be used by the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC), Sicogon Development Corporation (SIDECO) as well as for the LGU – Carles in the formulation of comprehensive management plan to sustainably protect and conserve this most precious resource.
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