From the fisheries standpoint, ecological system would particularly refer to mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds that supports the environment and ecological balance of marine waters.
The Philippine waters has an estimated 30 million hectares of natural coral reefs. Perhaps due to limited information on fisheries ecosystems, not enough concern has been drawn and appropriately implemented on this very important resource area. Unknown to many naturalist and environmentalist, ecosystem in the Philippines is severely damaged by siltation as caused by forest denudation. On record, there is about 300,000 hectares of mangroves and estimated coral reefs. For this resource alone, a protracted production potential of 960,000 tones of fish could be marginally obtained of these areas were properly developed.
Hence, the need to implement an intensive resource management and protection program has to be included as an integral part in the government plans and programs for economic recovery.
