A documentary set in a threatened marine biodiversity hotspot in the Philippines has won the Conservation Award at the prestigious International Ocean Film Festival in San Francisco.
THE BLUE QUEST PALAWAN highlighted efforts being taken to protect the habitat of the iconic Dugong, a marine mammal listed as vulnerable to extinction, alongside other community-led initiatives. Designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, the Palawan region is commonly known as the country’s ‘last ecological frontier’ but is at risk from habitat loss and human activity.
Set on remote islands at the heart of the coral triangle, filmmakers Clément Pourtal and Jérôme Brousse have taken a deep dive into this pristine environment impacted by illegal fishing and an explosion in tourism.
C3’s conservation and sustainable development programme, based on Busuanga Island, has created ten scientifically monitored MPAs to protect the home of the herbivore Dugong as well as the seagrass they rely on for food. Sustainably managed ecotourism is helping finance conservation efforts and an indigenous community project brings much-needed income into the area with local experts taking on the role of tour guides.
Meanwhile, the Sulubaaï Foundation has turned the previously devastated Pangatalan Island, in an area ravaged by dynamite fishing, into a thriving ecosystem. Their Sea Academy programme has created MPAs which are managed by, and benefit, local people. Having developed a series of over 250 artificial reefs, now home to 2500 transplanted corals, as well as planting 80,000 trees and mangroves, the foundation also provides tailor made training for communities to monitor and protect the ecosystems they live in.
A 12 hour boat ride then transports the team to the 97,000 ha Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a remote coral atoll, popular with divers due to its unique biodiversity which has seen it listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the marine station they experience the sometimes tough working environment, and a karaoke session, with the dedicated rangers who patrol the reserve. The rangers work with scientists to collect important data and manage the ecotourists who come to marvel at the whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, seabirds and over 500 species of fish that call this pristine setting home.
Producer and co-director Clément Pourtal said: “We are thrilled that THE BLUE QUEST PALAWAN has been recognised with this international film award. Our aim was to shine a spotlight on cutting edge and inspirational projects that are effectively managing marine conservation and benefitting local people in the iconic archipelago of Palawan.
“We are raising awareness and vital funding for their work which can act as a template for how other areas of our threatened oceans can be preserved for the future.”
The documentary will be presented at other major environmental events and film festivals this year. It has been supported by partners including Pure Ocean, Marine Conservation Institute and the Beuchat diving brand as well as Lilian Degand, founder of Geomesure.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media