Righty, I agree with Mitch and I am a marine scientist with a Ph.D. I should note that Dr. Andrew Bruckner (with NOAA/NMFS and a member of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force) made requests to ReefCheck for information on the survey methods (there are more than one described in the MAQTRAC manual) they use in the Philippines. Dr. Gregor Hodgson has not supplied the information, so there is no way to judge the quality of the surveys being conducted by ReefCheck "volunteers". In any event they are foreigners who are out of touch with the local fishermen and the Philippine government agencies (like BFAR and municipal officials) that are mandated by law to manage the fisheries and the coral reefs.
Ferdinand Cruz has worked with both Collectors Associations and with federal and muncipal officials. I believe that the collectors know the fish better than the ReefCheck volunteers. The collectors can do the underwater surveys with proper scientific supervision by biologists from the University of the Philippines and/or BFAR. This is also more cost-effective. The resource assessements by local fishers should be tied to municipal regulations (like licensing the collectors and local fishers).
The East Asian Seas and Terrestial Intitiatives (EASTI) is creating a Coastal Resources Management Plan (CRMP) in collaboration with the municipality of Legaspi City (in the Province of Bicol). The local fishers and collectors are being trained in better collection and handling, and will participate in the resource surveys. They are developing more concern for protection and conservation of marine resources by being involved in the process of creation of the CRMP.
Peter Rubec
Ferdinand Cruz has worked with both Collectors Associations and with federal and muncipal officials. I believe that the collectors know the fish better than the ReefCheck volunteers. The collectors can do the underwater surveys with proper scientific supervision by biologists from the University of the Philippines and/or BFAR. This is also more cost-effective. The resource assessements by local fishers should be tied to municipal regulations (like licensing the collectors and local fishers).
The East Asian Seas and Terrestial Intitiatives (EASTI) is creating a Coastal Resources Management Plan (CRMP) in collaboration with the municipality of Legaspi City (in the Province of Bicol). The local fishers and collectors are being trained in better collection and handling, and will participate in the resource surveys. They are developing more concern for protection and conservation of marine resources by being involved in the process of creation of the CRMP.
Peter Rubec