Apo Island Ingredients for Success

1
Apo IslandIngredients for Success
2
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

3
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

4
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

5
"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

6
Rapid results

• Within three years sanctuary was overflowing
  with fish
• Inspired by success they began management of
  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

7
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

8
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

9
Social and ecological diversity

• Diversity provides more opportunities for good
  choices
• Apos species richness helped ecosystem restore
  itself
• Islanders expanded their ideas by including
  those of outsiders
• Rich diversity of coral reef enhanced
  attractiveness to tourists
• Tourists brought more job options to islanders
• Educational opportunities have given Islanders
  new careers

10
Social and ecological memory

• Fishermen recalled traditional non-destructive
  fishing methods
• Coral-reef ecosystems 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

11
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