Resolution of Philippine Association of Marine Science to stop oil exploration in the visayas

This Resolution is signed by over 150 Marine Scientist in the Philippines
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CALL TO ACTION

RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ALL
CONCERNED AGENCIES TO STOP THE OIL EXPLORATION AND POSSIBLE
EXPLOITATION OF THE TAÑON STRAIT PROTECTED SEASCAPE (TSPS).

WHEREAS, Tañon Strait was declared as a Protected Seascape by Presidential
Proclamation 1234 by then President Fidel V. Ramos in 1998 in due recognition of the
extraordinary abundance and diverse assemblage of cetaceans (dolphins and whales), 11
out of the 25 species found in the Philippines can be sighted in the area, and its known
importance as feeding, breeding, and resting grounds for these marine mammals;

WHEREAS, uniqueness of associated habitats in TSPS, such as coral reefs, mangrove
and seagrass communities among others, provide livelihood, support food security; and
sustain and safeguard the integrity of the traditional interaction of people and nature, for
which protected seascapes have been established;

WHEREAS, the impacts of activities such as seismic surveys, exploratory drilling, and
actual oil mining operation would negatively impact the marine ecosystem and organisms
dependent on it; sound is very important to whales and dolphins as they use it for
hunting, navigation and communication, and in general, these animals maybe sensitive to
certain sound levels; coincidentally, a study being conducted by Aragones et al. in the
area showed immediate negative effects on the surface behaviors and delayed (1 year
after) negative response on the relative abundance of spinner dolphins implicating short
and intermediate term changes on these animals possibly brought about by the seismic
surveys (using gun arrays) conducted in the summer of 2005;

WHEREAS, the process used to evaluate the potential impact of seismic surveys and
exploratory oil drilling had procedural lapses, lacked transparency and appropriate
consultation with stakeholders, and failed to seriously and adequately consider substantial
scientific evidence on the potential detrimental impacts of such activities to marine
animals like mammals and fish.

NOW THEREFORE be it:

RESOLVED, that further seismic surveys and exploratory drilling be immediately
stopped in due recognition of the protected status of Tañon Strait and its national, global
and ecological importance;

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the impacts of such activities be recognized for the threats
they pose to marine animals like whales, dolphins and fish, people’s livelihood, and
potentially irreplaceable and invaluable natural heritage;

RESOLVED FURTHERMORE, that an appropriate body undertake the investigations
and review with adequate inputs from the scientific community and affected
stakeholders;

RESOLVED FURTHERMORE, that the current system of obtaining Environmental
Compliance Certificate (ECC) in ecologically critical areas (ECA) should be evaluated in
the light of the serious threats posed to important habitats like the Tañon Strait Protected
Seascape for assessing future oil explorations and similar undertakings;

RESOLVED FURTHERMORE, that copy of this resolution is circulated to the
following:

Office of the Environmental Ombudsman of the Philippines
Office of the Senate, Committee on Environment (Senator Pia Cayetano)
Office of the Senate, Committee on Economics (Senator Loren Legarda)
Office of the House of Representatives, Committee on Environment
Office of the House of Representatives, Committee on Economics
Office of the House of Representatives, Committee on Energy
Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Cebu and Negros Oriental Provincial Chapters
Office of the Senate Committee on Women and Children’s Affairs (Senator
Jamby Madrigal)
Senator Miguel Zubiri
All concerned local, provincial and regional government units
Office of the Team Leader of the Visayan Sea Squadron (Atty Antonio Oposa)
All media outfits

AND IT IS FINALLY RESOLVED, to conduct simultaneous and intensive
investigations on the above matter from all concerned agencies.

WE, members of the Philippine Association of Marine Science (PAMS) and fellow
marine scientists and practitioners, whose signatures appear below, strongly support this
resolution.

Signed this 26th day of October 2007 at Punta Villa Resort, Iloilo City.