Sagay, a newly created city in the province of Negros Occidental, was famous for its lucrative fishing industry. It was naturally blessed with a highly diverse and productive marine ecosystem that included coral reefs, mangroves, and sea grass beds. As expected, Sagay became an important source of livelihood for 31.6 percent of the province’s population, though not for long. Illegal fishing activities exploited these coastal and marine resources leading to their degradation. This in turn negatively affected the economic base of the poor and marginalized fishermen.

      To address this problem, the local government initiated a marine conservation program in the 1970s to preserve and maintain a highly productive, biologically diversified, and ecologically balanced marine ecosystem solely through community-based management. Two decades hence, in August 1995, Presidential Proclamation 592 was passed declaring that 31,200 hectares of the city’s territorial waters are considered protected seascape. This area became popularly known as the Sagay Marine Reserve.

      Proper management of the marine reserve ultimately led to Sagay’s restoration. The marine reserve had been administered by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), headed by the City Mayor. The PAMB is also composed of three divisions working hand in hand; namely, Resource Management, Social Development, and Law Enforcement. With the leadership provided by the PAMB and with the assistance from the Bantay Dagat of the city, illegal and destructive fishing activities were minimized if not totally eradicated. Additionally, law enforcement in the area was strengthened through the installation of watch towers in Carbin and Maca islands and the acquisition of surveillance equipment. Rehabilitation initiatives like mangrove reforestation and increased fish production were likewise implemented, leading to the re-emergence of extinct marine species. The program also facilitated the formation of nine independent cooperatives/associations of small fishermen. In addition to providing training on coastal resource management, health, sanitation and values reorientation, land-based livelihood activities and sustainable fishing methods (e.g. fish traps) were undertaken, thereby increasing the fishermen’s income by 30 percent. Because of all these efforts and accomplishments, the natural beauty of Sagay resurfaced.