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INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

The world will be observing the International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May 2008 with its theme revolving around Biodiversity and Agriculture. The theme is very appropriate as many countries in the world are experiencing crisis in food. In the Philippines, many families have to line up just to be able to buy cheap rice. It is ironic because our Department of Agriculture has just reported that there has been a rise in agricultural production. 

The Philippines is endowed with one of the highest biodiversity in the world. Many scientists even consider the Philippines as the center of the center of marine biodiversity in the planet. Sadly, this biodiversity is also the fastest to diminish. This problem is a result of the concept that is very prevalent in the Philippines- the tragedy of the commons.

The Visayan Sea is a good example of the Tragedy of the Commons. Because of the abundance of marine resources and the misconception that all of these resources are for free, people take everything from it to their hearts’ content. Since there is a conception that these resources in the Visayan Sea are not owned by anyone, everybody uses them to the point of being abusive to the environment. People worry that if they do not harvest all these resources somebody else would do so. Hence, instead of just harvesting within the sustainable yield of the area, it results in overharvesting.

In this light, it is urgent for the Philippine Government to declare certain areas in the country as biodiversity hotspots. These biodiversity hotspots will ensure that the resources in these areas are protected and set apart for the future generation. Moreover, the Government has to fastrack its determination of the maximum sustainable yield as required by the Philippine Fisheries Code. In this way, it will be ensured that the harvesting of marine resources is  sustainable. 

And most importantly, the people must have to change their mindset. Our generation is not here to exploit the resources that we have. Our generation is here to make sure that the generation to come will enjoy the same resources that we have today.

 


Posted by enpgamboa at 7:52 pm | permalink

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