A priority seascape of the Coral Triangle Initiative, the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Eco-region addresses concerns related to the sustainable development of coastal and marine resources and food security in six countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste.
The Philippines, led by the DENR, is a member of the Tri-National Committee and the permanent chair of the Sub-committee on Marine Protected Areas and Networks. The Tri-National Committee guides the implementation of SSME comprehensive action plans of the thematic sub-committees, namely: Charismatic, Migratory and Threatened Species; and Marine Protected Areas and Networks.
Policy Issuances
Proclamation No. 1028, 28 June 1997, Declaring the Entire Sulu and Celebes Seas as an Integrated Conservation and Development Zone, Creating a Presidential Commission for the Integrated Conservation and Development of the Area and Providing Funds Therefor Executive Order No. 578 - Establishing the National Policy on Biological Diversity, Prescribing its Implementation Throughout the Country, Particularly in the Sulu Sulawesi Marine Ecosystem and the Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor
Philippine achievements: a) Threatened species - Development and on-going propagation of the sea turtle database to house sea turtle tagging records from 1979 up to present - Satellite tracking, aerial surveys of sea turtles to show connectivity and migration pattern of sea turtles in the SSME region in cooperation with Marine Research Foundation, Inc and GIZ-SSME Project - Developed Marine and Aquatic Wildlife Rescue and Response Manual Series on Dugongs and Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles, Sharks and Rays in partnership with Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines under the GIZ ACCCoast Project. b) Marine Protected Areas - Exploring the prospect of establishing a network of protected areas to safeguard sea turtles - Conducted management effectiveness assessment of MPAs using MEAT/METT in selected locally managed MPAs and NIPAS sites.
Latest Activities:
1st Sulu Sulawesi Sea (SSS) Conference 2015 [18 November 2015; Kota Kinabalu, Sabah]
9th Meeting of the Sulu Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion(SSME) Tri-National Sub-Committee on Marine Protected Areas and Networks [9-10 September 2015; Quezon City, Philippines] - Attended by Director Theresa Mundita Lim (BMB), Dr. Vicente Tuddao (DENR-Region IVB), Ms. Marlynn Mendoza (EMB), Mr. Tito Gadon (OIC-PENRO), Mr. Pablo Delos Reyes (BMB), Mr. John Erick B. Avelino (BMB), Ms. Cianne Gelvezon (BMB), Ms. Jerika Dane Velasco (BMB)