What is Tubbataha famous for?
Tubbataha Reef is known for its extraordinary biodiversity, abundant marine life and breathtaking drop-offs into the open ocean. The area covers 130,028 hectares of high quality marine habitats containing three atolls and a large area of deep sea.
How is Tubbataha given recognition?
Recognition. It was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in December 1993 and falls under the protective management of the Department of National Defense (DND) of the Philippines.
How Tubbataha Reef is protected?
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is protected by national law (TRNP Act of 2009) and is part of the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) in the Philippines. The site is also a flagship site within the Coral Triangle MPA System.
What happened to the Tubbataha Reef?
The USS Guardian minesweeper ran aground on the Tubbataha Reef, a Unesco World Heritage Site, in January 2013. It caused damage to more than 2,345 sq m (25,240 sq ft) of coral. In May 2013 a US Navy investigation said the mishap was “wholly preventable” and a result of poor planning and “numerous” errors.
Where is Tubbataha located?
Palawan
Tubbataha reef lies in the middle of the Sulu Sea, approximately 50km southeast of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, the most western province of the Philippines.
What lives in Tubbataha Reef?
Whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles and Napoleon wrasse are amongst the key species found here. The reef ecosystems support over 360 species of coral and almost 700 species of fish. The reserve also protects one of the few remaining colonies of breeding seabirds in the region.
How old is the Tubbataha Reef?
The marine preserve is home to the Tubbataha atoll coral reef and various endangered marine species. It was established as a marine park in 1988 and was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993. The marine park is about 160 km southwest of Cagayancillo, almost exactly in the middle of the Sulu Sea.
What region is Tubbataha?
Is Tubbataha Reef an island?
The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a 97,030-hectare marine protected area (MPA) in the province of Palawan. The reefs of Tubbataha and Jessie Beazley are considered part of Cagayancillo, a remote island municipality roughly 130 kilometers to the northeast, inhabited mainly by fisherfolk.
How many species are in the Tubbataha?
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a marine protected area and world-renowned scuba diving site. It is home to more than 1,200 marine species, including sea grasses and algae, corals, sharks, rays, fishes, sea turtles, seabirds and marine mammals.
How does the Philippines benefit from the Tubbataha Reefs?
The Tubbataha reefs serve as a habitat for a multitude of species and genetic diversity (Habitat for Species and Genetic Diversity) (Dygico 2006). In addition the Tubbataha Reefs are believed to provide the Sulu Sea and eastern coastline of Palawan with fish and invertebrate larvae (Provisioning of Food).
How do I get from Manila to Tubbataha Reef?
From Manila (MNL) take a one-hour flight to Puerto Princessa (PPR) from which Tubbataha liveaboards depart. It takes around 10 hours to get to Tubbataha Reef from Puerto Princessa.
When was the Tubbataha Reef in Palawan discovered?
Tubbataha Reef. Since divers discovered Tubbataha in the late 1970s, it has become recognised as one of the most remarkable coral reefs on our planet. The CNN travel website, cnngo.com, ranks it among the top eight dive sites in the world. Because of its isolated location, Tubbataha can only be visited on a liveaboard boat.
Is there a coral reef in Tubbataha Atoll?
Tubbataha is composed of two huge coral atolls – the north atoll and the south atoll – and the Jessie Beazley Reef, a smaller coral structure about 20 kilometers north of the atolls.
Who are the owners of Tubbataha Reef Puerto Princesa?
I’d been dealing directly with Janet and Lars Chua who run the fleet. I’d read many reviews for this wonderful location, travelling with Expedition Fleet and in nearly every one Janet’s name appeared as a great person to deal with.
Where is Tubbataha in the Sulu Sea?
It is in the center of the Sulu Sea and is categorized in the political legislation of Cagayancillo, and island town nestled 130 kilometers towards the north. It is 150 kilometer southeast of Puerto Princesa – the main city of Palawan Province, the typical jump-off site for tourists and vacationers as well as dive boats heading to Tubbataha.
