People and the Sea

The primary objective of People & the Sea’s Coral, Climate, Communities project is to establish a locally-led committee that actively manages the protection of coral and seagrass ecosystems. People and the Sea has championed this endeavor, fostering sustainable management practices within coastal communities.

The People and the Sea MPA Grant was made possible thanks to the generous support of Blancpain, official partner of the PADI Blueprint for Ocean Action and founding partner of the PADI MPA Program and Adopt the Blue™​.

Since 2015, People and the Sea's efforts on Malapascua have centered on improving local livelihoods and preserving marine biodiversity through waste reduction, sustainable fishing, marine research, youth education, and bolstering economic resilience of coastal communities.

“In 2023, thanks to the support of PADI AWARE, we were able to engage fishers in Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS) population management, focusing mainly on local MPAs,” says Axelle Jorcin, Founder and Executive Director of People and the Sea. “For the first time, they became guardians of their reefs, embracing the program wholeheartedly and continuing their efforts to this day. This newfound sense of ownership extended beyond COTS management, as fishers initiated discussions with tour guides to prevent anchoring in MPAs. Collaborating with local authorities and businesses, they successfully installed buoys to minimize anchoring in those areas.”  

By improving reef health and biodiversity and collaborating with the fishing community and other local stakeholders, sustainable levels of harvesting are being implemented, leading to increased food security for the region.

People and the Sea’s achievements to date are impressive. They have conducted the first comprehensive analysis of seagrass habitats on Malapascua, identified optimal areas for seagrass MPAs, and established a digital catch monitoring program involving the community. Their reef monitoring program, reactivated post-pandemic, has identified significant declines in species diversity and abundance, attributed to COTS outbreaks and destructive boating activities during lockdowns. By involving local tour guides and boat operators in conservation efforts, the project has seen promising community engagement.

“Experiencing the rich biodiversity of MPAs firsthand and seeing the positive impact of their actions has instilled a deep sense of responsibility within the community. Recognizing their dependence on the sea for their livelihoods, they are now equipped with the tools, the confidence, and the ability to protect it,” adds Jorcin.  

This initiative has also led to the mapping of marine habitats around Malapascua, validating locations for artificial reefs in collaboration with local fishermen. The joint advocation of a marine sanctuary, covering approximately five hectares, underscores the growing awareness and commitment within the fishing community to the ecological and socio-economic benefits of MPAs.

The Coral, Climate, Communities project continues to progress, driven by community engagement and the support of volunteers. The focus remains on educating the community and involving them in active conservation actions to facilitate the recognition and acceptance of locally-led MPAs. 

Want to see more of People and the Sea in action?

You can follow along with People and the Sea and their "Coral, Climate and Communities" project on their website, Instagram, Facebook, or on https://www.padi.com/aware.