May 3–10, 2026 | Southeast Cebu
The Philippines, at the heart of the Coral Triangle, is home to some of the world’s richest marine ecosystems. Its mangroves, seagrasses, and coral reefs sustain fisheries, tourism, coastal protection, and water quality. Safeguarding these resources requires effective Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), strengthened by long-term monitoring and adaptive management.
For over three decades, the Saving Philippine Reefs (SPR) program has been one of CCEF’s flagship initiatives. With the largest continuous coral reef dataset in the country, SPR provides vital evidence for managers, communities, and policymakers. Each expedition documents reef condition, governance, and ecological trends — data that informs management decisions, educates stakeholders, and strengthens conservation strategies nationwide.
Purpose of the 2026 Expedition
The 2026 SPR expedition focused on assessing the health of Southern Cebu’s marine sanctuaries. Using standardized survey methods, divers measured coral cover, fish diversity, indicator species, and overall reef condition. Results will be compared with past monitoring to evaluate management effectiveness and gauge protection against illegal fishing and unsustainable tourism.
The Diving Team
The survey team comprised eight international volunteers and eight CCEF staff, many of whom were returning participants from past expeditions. Morning and afternoon dives were dedicated to reef surveys, with the first day set aside for practice dives to refine survey skills. Optional recreational dives fostered camaraderie and deepened appreciation for Cebu’s marine heritage.
Expedition Highlights
- Day 1 (May 3): Arrival at Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort, orientation, practice dives, and evening presentations on survey methods and SPR’s legacy.
- Day 2 (May 4): Surveys at Sumilon Island Fish Sanctuary, documenting coral and fish populations inside and outside the protected area.
- Day 3 (May 5): Reef assessments at Colase and Tangbo Marine Sanctuaries in Samboan, followed by a presentation of SPR 2025 results.
- Day 4 (May 6): Surveys at Daanlungsod Guiwang Marine Sanctuary in Alcoy, capped with a night dive and data encoding.
- Day 5 (May 7): Monitoring at Arbor and Granda Marine Sanctuaries in Boljoon, highlighted by a special fish presentation from Alison Green.
- Day 6 (May 8): Surveys at Gawi and Poblacion Marine Sanctuaries in Oslob, paired with a community discussion on sustainable ecotourism.
- Day 7 (May 9): Final surveys at Pasil Marine Sanctuary in Santander, followed by a photo contest, volunteer reflections, and debriefing.
- Day 8 (May 10): Closing summary and departure for Cebu City.
Key Achievements
- Conducted comprehensive reef surveys across nine marine sanctuaries in Southern Cebu.
- Documented coral health, fish diversity, and sightings of marine life including sea turtles and reef fish species.
- Strengthened collaboration with local communities and fisherfolk associations to promote sustainable ecotourism.
Forward Outlook
SPR equips local governments with evidence, empowers communities with knowledge, and inspires volunteers with purpose. Its greatest offering is not just data, but direction: a clear path toward reefs that flourish and coastal communities that thrive. Protecting coral ecosystems is protecting people, and SPR continues to show how science in action can secure a resilient future for both.
