Environmental problems in the Philippines Saving precious remains There are few signs today of the Philippines' once

sprawling rainforests. With a growing trend in human population, it is hoped that the country's marine enviro nment will not suffer the same fate. Overfishing and destructive fishing Fishers in the Philippines are increasingly coming home with pitiful catches. Of a number of factors which have led to this situation, one stands out: over-fish ing in many areas. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), there has been a drop of 90% in the quantity of marine organisms that can be trawled in some t raditional fishing areas of the Philippines. This isn t just a question of declining fish stocks and biodiversity, but also of social impacts and economic losses. Mismanagement of fisheries resources is esti mated to cost US$ 420 million annually in lost revenues. At the root of the overfishing problem is weak fisheries management, ineffective policies and poor enforcement of fishery laws. / : WWF What is WWF doing about the problems? WWF Coastal infrastructure development Coastal zone development has been particularly damaging to the Philippines marine environment, especially to coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses. As populations have increased, so have their needs for construction materials an d living space. Excavation, dredging, and coastal conversion to accommodate coas tal development have seen corals being extracted for reclamation and constructio n, especially in coastal villages. Mangroves have particularly suffered from coastal development, notably at the ha nds of the aquaculture industry. In the Philippines, aquaculture has reduced man grove stands to only 36% of 1900 levels. Coastal littering. Philippines. / : WWF-Canon / Jrgen FREUND Coastal littering. Philippines. WWF-Canon / Jrgen FREUND Deforestation After decades of deforestation, which has left about 3% of the original cover, f orests continue to be under threat from agriculture and urbanization, illegal lo gging and forest fires. Sustained forest loss in the Philippines is causing severe soil erosion, and is threatening the country s rich biodiversity. This is particularly worrying as many of the Philippines species, which depend on these forests, are endemic (they can not be found anywhere else in the world). For example, of 180 native terrestrial mammal species here, about 61% are endemic. Inconsistent laws, inadequate regulations, weak enforcement and lack of funding are making forest conservation a major challenge. Pollution Only about 10% of sewage in the Philippines is treated or disposed of in an envi ronmentally sound manner. The rest goes back to nature usually the sea. In this context of poor waste treatment and high population growth, water pollut ion is a growing problem for the country s groundwater, rivers, lakes, and coastal

areas. Polluting industrial material is also found in abandoned mining areas, w ith mercury pollution affecting water bodies in these areas. These problems are unfolding in a context of poor planning, and weak management and enforcement of regulations. Sources