June is World Oceans Month, and thus our focus for the remaining weeks is to make sure that our country's rich and beautiful seas, particularly the fisheries, are given the care and safety they deserve. These are found in our Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

Just off the coast of Davao, the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCOS) has several of these MPAs. They're of great importance to nearby communities, and WWF-Philippines needs your help again to protect them.

For context, MPAs are regions of economic and ecological importance, where human activity is limited to allow fish populations to thrive. In Davao, WWF-Philippines works with the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Fisheries Law Enforcement Team to protect these vital areas, but a lack of proper equipment makes it hard for them to do their job.

We’re raising funds for the following:

10 solar lamp kits for the following MPA guard houses:  Bato-Tagaytay MPA, Tuban-Tagabuli MPA, Dadatan MPA, Linosutan MPA, Dapia MPA, Cogon MPA, Anislagan MPA, and Tinaytay and Burias Reef MPA and for the 6 common boats to be used in monitoring the MPAs.

Kerosene lamps are currently being used for night patrols, but their light is dim and their emissions harmful to the environment. Armed with solar lamps, patrols will be able to keep an eye on their fisheries, throughout the day and well into the night.

The fisheries in Samal provide us with the food we eat and the life and color we see in our precious oceans. Help us protect the very waters that keep our country alive and thriving!