Apo Island

Ingredients for Success

Outside stimulation and facilitation

Outsiders brought fresh ideas. Marine biologist helped Islanders understand crisis and introduced idea of no-fishing reserve. NGOs helped (a) advocate for local control and (b) set up family planning program on the Island.

Strong local democratic institutions and enduring commitment of local leadership

Local barangay government took the lead.

Community participated in intensive discussion.

Decisions made by representatives of all Island families.

Co-adaption between social system and ecosystem

Community shared in creation and maintenance of sanctuary.

Islanders network of trust and obligation helped commitment.

Devised easy-to-enforce rules based on community wisdom.

With protection, the ecosystem could repair itself.

"Letting nature do the work"

When fish were protected they could repopulate the reef.

Nature can do complex restoration of an entire ecosystem.

Humans cannot devise or carry out such restoration.

Rapid results

Within three years the sanctuary was overflowing with fish.

Inspired by success, they began managing fishing grounds.

Tourists came to see reefs which reinforced desire to improve.

New jobs and services developed for the tourist industries.

All of these quick paybacks increase commitment.

A powerful symbol

Sanctuary is sacred because it saved their way of life.

It is the symbol of their pride and achievement.

Unthinkable to violate this symbol.

Overcoming social obstacles

Social systems can present obstacles to successful change.

Islanders made an easy plan of rotating guards.

Government disapproved of locals setting and enforcing rules.

Islanders negotiated with the government until they agreed.

Government has taken over management of tourist fees.

Local autonomy can solve many of these problems.

Social and ecological diversity

Diversity provides more opportunities for good choices.

Apo’s species richness helped ecosystem restore itself.

Islanders expanded their ideas by including those of outsiders.

Rich diversity of coral reef enhanced attractiveness to tourist.s

Tourists brought more job options to islanders.

Educational opportunities have given Islanders new careers.

Social and ecological memory

Fishermen recalled traditional non-destructive fishing methods.

Coral-reef ecosystem’s living inhabitants have evolutionary ‘memory’ for co-adaptation to each other.

Chose sanctuary location based on memory of best reefs.

Revived old value of ‘taking only what they need from the sea’.

Building Resilience

Adapting in the face of new difficulties.

Imposed restrictions when too much tourism damaged reefs. Strength for future challenges from experience, pride, commitment, education, new professional skills.