PHILIPPINES, Cebu Island - November 2002
New guard post at Saavedra Fish Sanctuary
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In 1996, the coastal fishing community of Saavedra worked together with a local NGO to create an 20 acre marine sanctuary. This sanctuary has been guarded from fishing activities by the Saavedra Fisherman's Association and the area encompassing the sanctuary is rated as one of Cebu's top diving destinations. After years of exposure to the elements, the guard post used for observation of the sanctuary area has become dilapidated to the point where it cannot provide adequate shelter during rains. Seacology, in cooperation with the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCE) who will monitor the progress of construction and disbursement of funds, is funding the construction of a new permanent guardhouse for the Saavedra Fish Sanctuary.
UPDATE July 2004 - The guardhouse was completed and a dedication ceremony was held in April 2003. In addition to being used as a guard post for the fish sanctuary, the house has served as the venue for the Saavedra Fishermen's Association's monthly meeting and a receiving area for visitors from neighboring marine protected area associations. In 2004 the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources and USAID cited the Saavedra Fish Sanctuary as a destination in the Philippines where sound and replicable resource management and local governance is a model for study in coastal resource management.
