Capiz team finds 160-hectare seagrass bed, possibly PH’s largest

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The Capiz provincial government is seeking a declaration of the Tukad Reef as a marine protected area following the discovery

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – A local environment team in Capiz stumbled on what could be the largest known seagrass bed in the country in the coral-rich waters off Pilar. 

The unexpected find, an underwater meadow spanning 160 hectares, is nestled between reef formations.

Seagrass beds are vital ecosystems: they filter water, stabilize the seafloor, and provide nursery grounds for countless marine species. Their presence often signals a healthy ocean environment in a country facing challenges posed by coral degradation and declining fish stocks.

Ernest Federiso, head of the Capiz provincial environment and natural resources office (PENRO), said the seagrass bed was found while they were carrying out a protected area sustainability assessment at Tukad Reef.

“Accidentally, we have stumbled upon about 160 hectares of seagrass…. Imagine that there are a lot of species of corals. In the middle of the corals and the shore, there are 160 hectares of seagrass,” he said during the Kapihan forum organized by the Philippine Information Agency in Capiz on June 5.

Federiso said the seagrass area, located within a coral reef formation, could be the largest in the country.

He said the presence of seagrass beds helps make Pilar’s waters clearer than those in nearby Guimaras, as seagrass improves water quality by filtering pollutants and trapping sediments.

He added that coral reef health is directly linked to seagrass health, which stabilizes sediments and acts as a natural barrier to reduce siltation reaching coral reefs.

The seagrass bed also provides shelter and nursery grounds for juvenile fish and invertebrates, supporting coral reef biodiversity, he said.

Following the discovery, the Capiz provincial government is seeking a declaration of the Tukad Reef as a marine protected area (MPA) under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS), which provides legal and conservation frameworks for MPAs nationwide.

An MPA declaration would help protect and restore biodiversity within the marine ecosystem, including habitats such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and populations of key species.

Tukad Reef is known for its marine biodiversity, including various coral species, sea anemones, sponges, feather duster worms, whip corals, and hammer coral. It also features an underwater cave with diverse coral formations, making it a popular site for diving.

The ongoing assessment in Tukad Reef serves as a rapid assessment tool to evaluate an area’s suitability for MPA designation.

A 2024 assessment by the Sentro Para sa Ikauunlad ng Katutubong Agham at Teknolohiya Incorporated found 63% coral cover in the reef. While some parts consist of coral rubble, several sections remain in “excellent condition.”

Federiso said talks were ongoing with an oil company for possible conservation partnerships.

He added that with a new budget cycle and a newly elected congressional representative, the province hopes to secure funding for reef protection efforts. – Rappler.com