Jagna Mayor Joseph Rañola has committed to protecting marine biodiversity and controlling climate change in his town.
Black coral, a species of coral found in the sea and also in the waters of Jagna, needs to be protected because it is the main reason why fish are abundant in the sea. In addition, corals also help with climate change.
However, black corals are harvested for use in jewelry in other places like Mindanao and Luzon and in Western Countries.
This should not be done because it has a huge impact on our seas, the mayor said.
Dr. Hyacinth Suarez, a marine biodiversity researcher from Holy Name University, has found coral bleaching in Jagna. Coral bleaching is the death of coral caused by climate change, chlorine and diseases.
Mayor Rañola encourages fishermen not to harvest black corals and report any such incidents to their LGU or Bantay Dagat or Kapulisan.
Suarez’s group, supported by DOST, UP, HNU and above all LGU Jagna, will continue to conduct research in Jagna to more effectively understand and protect the treasures of our seas.