at Paradise Island we are very proud to protect the Marine life, as we have created a 200 hectares Marine sanctuary around the island and its islet, to preserve for the generation to come the natural and pristine environment. Our island is 100% running on green energy, as we harvest only Solar Energy for all our need. With the advocacy in mind and the Social responsibility - it is our aim to integrate and convert the "desperate" fishermen of the region into protectors to their environment. To teach their children and to make sure that the empowered women receive a place in the community in order to grow the future of the entire community together and sustainably.
Coral Reef renovation
We are working together with the most renowned coral reproduction specialists to set up top notch coral nurseries on and around our island, in order to restore reefs previously damaged by destructive fishing activities as well as coral bleaching. Therefore, we extensively surveyed the reefs in the Marine sanctuary and the surrounding area, and we will select the strongest, most resisting strands of each species for reproduction in our nurseries. In this way, we want to replant and restore every corner of the sanctuary into its original splendour and variety. With our well- equipped reproduction labs and nurseries, we want to help starting up other local nurseries all over the Taytay bay area, and transform this already rich sea, far beyond our sanctuary, into extraordinary waters teaming with ocean wildlife.
Fish Nurseries and Aquaculture
As part of our support program for the local fishermen community, we want to set up in the surrounding area nurseries and hatcheries for fish species which are important for the local fishermen, combined with a better protection of the existing hatching zones of wild fish. Hence, we will improve the fish reproduction and increase the numbers of fish available for catching, to compensate for the loss of catch due to the reduction of the catching area, which is a consequence of the creation of the Marine sanctuary. Another alternative source of income for fishermen can be created by familiarizing locals with small-scale aquaculture (for example fish and clams) and helping them with the start-up.
Advocacy activities
To co-exist and to make sure that we are all connecting our forces for a common goal is the importance for this beautiful Paradise Island and the Taytay El Nido Region. Therefore it is our utmost advocacy to make sure that we will make the community around our island - and many miles around our region - to strive and grow with us - given the Mother Nature’s gift - which is our ocean. To give back to the community is our aim - but to preserve our common nature is our goal. Only together we can and will achieve this. The future of our children will depend on it. Shall God be our mentor and bless as all the way.
Fishermen conversion
Actually local fishermen live either from traditional small-scale fishing, which is very precarious and also heavily effected by changes in the ocean ecosystem due to climate change, or from illegal and self-destructive fishing with dynamite or Cyanide, which destroys the fragile coral reefs and therefore the breeding grounds and habitats of the very fish species the fishermen are catching, hereby ruining the future of their own children. Therefore, we want to create alternative incomes for the fishermen, for which they can still use their skills and their familiarity with the ocean environment. This can be done either by familiarizing them with the concept of aquaculture and fish nurseries mentioned above, and by training them to run and exploit them, or by training them in Coral restoration and employing them as “Coral gardeners” at the Marine sanctuary, in teams coached by experienced divers and marine biologists. As coral gardeners, they can also assist guests in the resort during diving or other water sport activities.
Community integration
The integration of the surrounding local communities in the development of the Marine sanctuary and the resort is essential, as there has to be a gradual but profound change in the attitude towards the local marine and terrestrial environment. By discussing this change with the community from the beginning of the project, also by means of involving schools, the church and other local institutions, and by letting them share the advantages of such change, we believe that we can be successful. Coaching and training locals in order to engage in new income-generating activities is substantial to this. Such activities can be directly related to the resort and the sanctuary, like employments in the sectors of tourism, accommodation, coral restoration or nature conservancy, or by providing high-quality fishery or handicrafts products to the resort. On the other hand, increase fish catch due to the new marine resource management as well as the management and exploitation of new fish nurseries and aquacultures will hopefully also increase the acceptance of our project.
Children nature programs
Involving local children in our nature conservancy programs is also fundamental for a successful integration of local communities and the necessary change in attitude to nature. Therefore, we want to work with local schools on adapting their curriculum to integrate a substantial part on marine and terrestrial ecology and wildlife, and on how to protect and restore it. To support them, we would provide the necessary teaching material and, more important, send members of our Coral restoration and Nature conservancy teams to teach at the schools and organize activities in the ocean or in the field, in and around the Marine sanctuary. The latter could even include planting corals in previously damaged reefs, hence creating a sense of ownership and pride amongst the involved children and youngsters, and changing also their parent’s attitude towards the marine environment.
Women empowering
In the process of integrating and helping local communities, we aim to give special importance to women. They can be key players in the process of mentality change and the local attitude to the environment, and should be closely involved in the educational and training programs. Eventually women can take important positions within the working of the resort and the Marine sanctuary.
Philippines Coast Guard Auxiliary
A good and smooth collaboration with the PCG ( Philippine Coast Guards ) is essential for an effective protection of the Marine sanctuary against illegal activities, and by monitoring and controlling all the activities going on in the surrounding area. We want to develop an efficient, radar- and satellite supported system, to prevent any infractions at the very start. Some of our staff, including the General manager, are also auxiliary members of the Philippine Coast guard. We want to help building a bridge between the Coast guard and the local communities, by restoring their image from mere law- enforcers to “friends of the sea”, who help to protect and restore a healthy ocean, which all the members of the community have a right to use in a responsible manner.