Two more schools!

By Sander ter Meulen

We are glad to inform that two more schools of Puerto Princesa City will join our environmental education program. Initially the program was planned to finish at the end of October, but thanks to the great success of the program and some good luck with the costs we will extend it until the Christmas break (December 18^th).

The success of the project relies basically on the good collaboration and commitment of all the participating organisations. The Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxilliary provide safety and guidance during the excursion to Pandan Island, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources open their doors for the program and offer a friendly tour through their facilities, the Municipality of Puerto Princesa City provide the bus transportation without any delay and finally the essential work of the volunteers who are always there, teaching and taking care of the kids.

All the participating schools are located near the coast and lack of resources to set up an environmental education program. With these two extra schools we will have targeted a tota of seven elementary schools of Puerto Princesa City.

Even if we haven’t carried out yet the evaluation of the project, through the reaction of the children, we know that by far we achieve our goal to increase awareness concerning their coastal environment.

Food of the sea

By Kyra Hoevenaars

The 4^th and last day of the program is about Food of the Sea. With this theme we point out the importance of marine ecosystems as a food source. We want to teach the children about the current problems of over-fishing and explain the significance of sustainable solutions like responsible aquaculture or the Marine Protected Areas for the global food security.

The day starts with an interactive lecture by one of our volunteers. After the lecture, the kids draw animals, which they use to restock the empty sea. During the course of the project, we have seen posters with beautiful and very full seas.

In the afternoon, it is time for another trip. It is an hour bus ride to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquaculture (BFAR). The BFAR is an agency of the Philippine government under the Department of Agriculture responsible for the development, improvement, management and conservation of the Philippines' fisheries and aquatic resources.

Once arriving at the BFAR there are three activities organized to show the kids an example of sustainable aquaculture. One of the employees of BFAR gives the kids a tour through their hatchery, the water reservoirs, the phyto- and zooplankton tanks and the basins with fish larvae.

The second activity is a treasure hunt through the beautiful area where the BFAR is located. The group who finishes a complicated puzzle of a fish first has a head start on the other groups and more chance to find the treasure first. On the way, they have to answer questions about the BFAR, aquaculture and fisheries. They also pass by the fish cemetery, where BFAR buries the dead parent fish to avoid contamination of the water. A huge sperm whale that was washed ashore in December last year was also given a place in their cemetery.

The third activity is a boat ride to the BFAR sea cages, where they hold their parent fish. There are many different kind of species, like sea bass, milk fish, grouper and Napoleon wrasse. The most impressive species are the giant grouper, which are up to 3 meters big. The children are allowed to feed the fish and walk around on the cages. Their enthusiasm shows it is an unforgettable experience for the kids.

Kids drawing animals to restock the empty sea, maybe a bit too full in this case

Volunteers proudly showing the full sea

Tour at the facilities of the BFAR

Pupils admiring the fish larvae in the hatchery

Sander (left), lining up the kids to go to the fish cages

In the boat going to the sea cages



Carefull not to fall in the water, cause there are some big fishes in there

Giant grouper

Getting wet while feeding the fish

Kids enjoying the fish feeding

The fish cemetery