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Angel Alcala
Project Description
Alcala is sharing his Pew Fellowship with long-time collaborator Garry Russ of Australia. Their individual and joint research indicates that marine reserves can play a major role in building fish abundance in reserves and increasing fish yields in adjacent areas through "spillover" (net export of adult fish) into the surrounding waters. With their Pew Fellowship they conducted a comparative study of fish stocks in five existing and new reserves in the Philippines and catch rates in surrounding areas to further evaluate "spillover" potential and the factors that improve it.
Alcala and Russ have been working to strengthen local community organizations responsible for the protection and management of several marine sanctuaries. They recently completed underwater censuses and videos to map seven newly established or potential MPAs in the Mindanao Sea. In addition, they have helped four villages, which will be affected by a new marine reserve, to organize and plan for the future. Since 1999, they have set up or supported the creation of 18 no-take marine reserves in the Mindanao Sea in collaboration with local communities and governments. Their community-based approach has proven very successful with three new proposals to set up protected marine areas being initiated by local government during just one year.
Alcala and Russ are also working with local fishing communities to enhance their involvement in marine reserve management. Results will support improved tropical fisheries management policy in the Philippines and other nations throughout the region. One aspect of this work involves collaboration with a local foundation that focuses on family planning and population management to integrate family planning issues into marine resources management. Their vision is that the stabilization of populations living in the vicinity of MPAs will reduce pressure on resources and ultimately lead to sustainable development
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