In the rural village of Quezon, residents have traditionally depended on artisanal fishing and mangrove harvesting for their livelihoods. So when fish catches declined, the community took action. Working with C3 Philippines, local fishers and community members established the 605-acre Quezon Marine Reserve (QMR) in 2022. 

The reserve protects extraordinarily biodiverse marine and coastal ecosystems, including seven seagrass species and 15 mangrove species. These habitats support amazing wildlife populations—and 21% of bird species, 33% of mammals, and 29% of amphibians and reptiles are found only on Busuanga Island. The area also serves as critical habitat for green marine turtles and the critically endangered dugong. 

The QMR features multiple management zones: strict no-take areas, limited fishing sections, and regulated aquaculture zones. A management council, comprising primarily womens groups and local officials, oversees the reserve.  Volunteer “bantay dagat” (sea patrol) groups support them by conducting crucial enforcement activities. 

To strengthen conservation efforts, the community will use a Seacology grant to build a floating guardhouse for 24/7 monitoring and community meetings. They may add a mini-restaurant that serves traditional foods. The grant would also support sustainable ecotourism development through a 200-meter mangrove boardwalk with interpretive signage. 

This ecotourism initiative aims to diversify local incomes, reducing fishing pressure while generating revenue for reserve management and conservation programs. The project includes leadership and business management training for council members, embodying a comprehensive approach to community-based marine conservation that balances environmental protection with economic sustainability.