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Silot
Bay
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Location:
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10°24'N, 124°00'E; on the east coast of Cebu Island in Liloan Municipality, 15 km northeast of Cebu City, Cebu Province. |
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Area:
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100 ha. |
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Altitude:
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Sea level. |
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Biogeographical
Province:
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4.26.12. |
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Wetland
type:
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06, 07 & 08. |
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Description
of site:
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A shallow tidal lagoon, roughly circular in shape, fringed with mangrove swamps and with two mangrove covered islets. The lagoon is connected to the sea by a channel 20 metres wide which has been dredged up to the wooden bridge spanning it. The maximum depth of the lagoon is five metres and the salinity 25-32 p.p.t. Fresh water input comes from seepage and local run-off. Large areas of mudflat are exposed at low tide. |
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Climatic
conditions:
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Humid tropical climate with the seasons not very pronounced; relatively dry from November to April and wet for the rest of the year (Type III). |
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Principal
vegetation:
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Mangrove swamps with Sonneratia caeseolaris, Avicennia officinalis, some Bruguiera conjugata, Ceriops roxbughiana and Lumnitzera racemosa, and five species of algae. Cocos nucifera, Pandanus tectorium, Leucaena glauca and other common vascular plants in surrounding areas. |
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Land
tenure:
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Some areas are owned by the Government but leased to private individuals for fish pond development; other parts are privately owned. |
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Conservation
measures taken:
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The size of the fishing nets and the number of fish ponds have been limited, and commercial exploitation of the mangroves has been prohibited. |
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Conservation
measures proposed:
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Proposals have been made to limit the mesh size of the fishing nets, to restrict the number of fishermen using the bay, and to improve agricultural practices and establish cottage industries in the region to provide an alternative source of income for the local inhabitants and thereby reduce pressure on the natural resources of the bay. |
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Land
use:
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Fishing, cutting of mangroves for local use (leaves for animal fodder and trunks for construction purposes), and outdoor recreation; aquaculture, agriculture and urban development in surrounding areas. |
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Possible
changes in land use:
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| Disturbances and threats: | The major threats include illegal dynamite fishing and fish poisoning, over-exploitation of coral for building materials, and excessive cutting of mangroves for domestic use. There is a possibility that more of the mangroves will be cleared for aquaculture projects. |
| Economic and social values: | Fishing provides a valuable source of income for the local people, and the bay is a popular area for outdoor recreation. |
| Fauna: | The bay supports a very rich invertebrate and fish fauna, and is an important feeding area for a wide variety of herons, egrets, shorebirds and terns. |
| Special floral values: | None known. |
| Research and facilities: | The University of San Carlos has established a Marine Research Station at Silot Bay and has carried Out a number of studies on the fauna, flora and ecology of the Bay. |
| References: | Juario et al. (1970); Miller (1972 & 1973); San Carlos University (Biology Department) (1970). |
| Criteria for inclusion: | 1b. 3b. |
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Source:
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Perla M. Magsalay. |