View source for Apo Reef

{{Short description|Coral reef in the Philippines}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Apo Reef
| alt_name = 
| iucn_category = II
| photo = Apo reef.jpg
| photo_alt =
| photo_caption = View from the Apo Reef Lighthouse on Apo Island
| photo_width =
| map = Luzon#Philippines
| relief = 1
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location in the Philippines
| map_width = 220
| location = [[Mindoro Strait]], [[Philippines]]
| nearest_city = [[Sablayan]]
| coordinates = {{coord|12|39|42|N|120|24|52|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| area = {{convert|34|km2}}
| established = 
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body = [[Department of Environment and Natural Resources]]<br>Municipal Government of Sablayan
| url = 
| child =
| embedded =
}}

'''Apo Reef''' is a [[coral reef]] system in the Philippines situated in the western waters of [[Occidental Mindoro]] province in the [[Mindoro Strait]]. Encompassing {{convert|34|km2|abbr=on}}, it is considered the world's second-largest contiguous coral reef system, and is the largest in the country.<ref name="UNESCOWHSubmission" /> The reef and its surrounding waters are [[List of protected areas of the Philippines|protected areas]] administered as the '''Apo Reef Natural Park''' (ARNP).  It is one of the best known and most popular diving regions in the country, and is on the tentative list for [[UNESCO World Heritage Sites]].<ref name=hutchinson>Hutchinson, Gretchen and Ventura, Edgar M. (1987). "Philippine Dive Versions", pg. 74. Philippine Dive Versions, Makati.</ref>

==Geography and environment==
Apo Reef can is about {{convert|28|km|abbr=on}} west of the coast of [[Mindoro]]. It is separated from the main island by the Apo East Pass of the Mindoro Strait.<ref name=pilot />  Politically, the reef lies within the jurisdiction of the Province of [[Occidental Mindoro]] in [[Mimaropa|Region IV-B]] of the Philippines and, more specifically, of the Municipality of [[Sablayan]].

===Important Bird Area===
The park has been designated an [[Important Bird Area]] (IBA) by [[BirdLife International]] because it supports a significant [[seabird]] population, with at least 10,000 breeding pairs recorded.<ref name=bli>{{cite web |url= https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/apo-reef-marine-natural-park-iba-philippines|title=Apo Reef Marine Natural Park|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2024|website= BirdLife Data Zone|publisher= BirdLife International|access-date= 2024-10-16}}</ref>

=== Reef system ===
[[File:Apo Reef map.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|The reef system of Apo Reef in Occidental Mindoro]]
Apo Reef is a roughly triangular coral atoll formation approximately {{convert|26|km|abbr=on}} from the north to the south tip, and {{convert|20|km|abbr=on}} from east to west. It is separated by two lagoon systems, the north and south lagoons which are bounded by narrow reef platforms. It is {{convert|34|km2|abbr=on}} of almost triangular northern and southern atoll-like reefs separated by a deep channel that is open to the west. The channel runs east to west from {{convert|1.8|to|30|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} deep with a fine white sand bottom, numerous mounds and patches of branching corals under the deep blue water.

The north lagoon is an enclosed triangular coral reef platform partly exposed during low tide. It is relatively shallow with depths of about {{convert|2|-|10|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}. While the south lagoon is an inverted triangular coral platform enclosed on two sides and is about {{convert|30|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} in depth. Likewise, reef limestone and coralline sand on the eastern and south-eastern sides dominantly underlie the area.

Studies indicate that the modern reef has grown over an old reef formation during the last glacial cycle approximately 19,000 years ago. The surface morphology of the modern reef is a product of the fluctuating sea levels as the crust under Apo Reef subsides towards Manila Trench. <ref >[https://doi.org/10.1007/s00367-024-00764-7 Submerged reef features in Apo and Tubbataha Reefs, Philippines, revealed paleo sea-level history during the last deglaciation], Geo-Marine Letters</ref>

=== Islands ===
The main geographical feature of Apo Reef is submerged, but three islands mark it on the surface: Apo Island, Apo Menor (locally known as ''Binangaan'') and Cayos del Bajo ("Keys of the bank", locally known as ''Tinangkapan'').<ref name=topography>(2014-02-14). [http://www.aporeefnp.com/index.php/topography-and-soil "Topography and Soil"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628121022/http://aporeefnp.com/index.php/topography-and-soil |date=2014-06-28 }}. Apo Reef Natural Park Official Website. Retrieved on 2014-09-25.</ref> The islands are uninhabited. Since the declaration of "no-take-zone" policy at Apo Reef Natural Park in 2007, only protected area personnel and members of the Task Force MARLEN (Marine and Apo Reef Law Enforcement for Nature), who are tasked to implement protection and conservation work at the park, stay in the protected area on weekly shifts.

==== Apo Island ====
[[File:Apo Island of Apo Reef Natural Park.jpg|thumb|right|The largest island in the Apo Reef has a lighthouse, white beach, lagoon, mangroves, and karstic rock formations.]]

{{distinguish|text=[[Apo Island]] just south of Dumaguete, Negros Oriental}}
The largest is Apo Island at {{convert|22|ha|abbr=on}} with [[mangrove]]s and beach vegetation. The reef surrounding the island extends to {{convert|1|km|abbr=on}} in places. Outside the lagoonal mangroves in the eastern and southern sides of Apo Island, the soil is sandy-to-sandy loam that has less silt and clay particles, while the lagoonal mangroves have a sandy loam to clay loam soil, underlain by decomposed plant residues or coarse materials.<ref name=topography />

Apo Island is separated from Apo Reef by a narrow, deep channel. The island is about {{convert|43|km|abbr=on}} from Mindoro and about {{convert|37|km|abbr=on}} from Nanga and Tara Islands, the nearest of the islands off [[Busuanga Island]] on the western side of the Mindoro Strait.  The [[Apo Reef Light]], situated on the north-east part of the island, warns ship about the location of this navigational hazard.<ref name=pilot>[https://books.google.com/books?id=0clBAAAAIAAJ&q=Apo+Reef "United States Coast Pilot Philippine Islands"].</ref> The island is situated at a two-and-a-half-hour navigation 240° from Sablayan by pump boat (banka).

The island houses a permanent ranger base which monitors the national park. An administrative desk collects the environmental fees. It is possible to stay overnight in tents subject to certain conditions. Very limited facilities are available onshore to protect the island's fragile ecosystem.

==== Apo Menor Islet ====
[[File:Apo Menor Island of the Apo Reef.jpg|thumb|right|The Apo Menor Island is the second largest island in the Apo Reef and is primarily made up of rocks.]]

Apo Menor is located near the western end of Apo Reef, about {{convert|3|km|abbr=on}} east of Apo Island.<ref name=pilot /> It is a rocky limestone island with relatively little vegetation.<ref name=topography />

==== Cayos del Bajo ====
Cayos del Bajo are flat coralline rock formations with no vegetation on the northern lagoon near the eastern edge of the reef. At low tide, many small rocks are dry on the reef, particularly along its northern side.<ref name=pilot /><ref name=topography />

===Conservation history===
[[File:Apo Reef.jpg|thumb|Satellite image of Apo Reef]]

The Apo Reef is a protected area of the Philippines classified as a [[IUCN protected area categories#Category III — Natural Monument or Feature|Natural park]] encompassing {{convert|274.69|km2|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="PP868" /> Of the total area, {{convert|157.92|km2|0|abbr=on}} comprises the Apo Reef Natural Park while the remaining {{convert|116.77|km2|0|abbr=on}} constitute a [[buffer zone]] surrounding the protected area.<ref name="UNESCOWHSubmission" /><ref>[http://bmb.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=81:region-4b&catid=69:regions "Protected Areas in Region 4B – Mimaropa"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006073532/http://bmb.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=81%3Aregion-4b&catid=69%3Aregions |date=2014-10-06 }}. Biodiversity Management Bureau. Retrieved on 2014-09-25.</ref>

Prior to its declaration as a protected area, Apo Reef was first officially declared a "Marine Park" by then Philippine president [[Ferdinand Marcos]] in 1980.<ref name="PP1801">{{cite press release | title=Presidential Proclamation 1801| publisher=Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines | year=1980 }}</ref> This was followed with the local government of Sablayan declaring the reef a special "Tourism Zone and Marine Reserve" three years later.<ref name="R1108">{{cite press release | title=Resolution No. 1108| publisher=Sangguniang Bayan ng Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro | year=1983 }}</ref> In 1996, the entire reef was declared a protected natural park by then-president [[Fidel Ramos]].<ref name="PP868">{{cite press release | title=Presidential Proclamation 868 | publisher=Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines | date=1996-09-06 }}</ref>

In 2006, the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of the Philippine [[Department of Environment and Natural Resources]] submitted the reef to the [[UNESCO]] World Heritage Centre for consideration as a [[World Heritage Site]].<ref name="UNESCOWHSubmission">{{cite web | title =Apo Reef Natural Park | work =UNESCO World Heritage: Tentative Lists | publisher =UNESCO | date =2006-05-16 | url =https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5033/ | access-date =2007-10-08  | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071011120138/https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5033/| archive-date= 11 October 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>

Following a survey by the local chapter of the [[World Wide Fund for Nature]], fishing within the reef was banned by the Philippine government in September 2007.<ref name="Yahoo20071002">{{cite news | title =Philippines bans fishing to revive biggest reef | work =Yahoo! News | publisher =Yahoo! Inc. | date =2007-10-02 | url =http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20071002/twl-uk-philippines-fishing-2675fc1_1.html | access-date =2007-10-08| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071006183656/http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20071002/twl-uk-philippines-fishing-2675fc1_1.html| archive-date = October 6, 2007}}</ref><ref name="Reuters20071002">{{cite news | title =Philippines bans fishing to revive biggest reef | work =Reuters News | publisher =Reuters Inc. | date =2007-10-02 | url =http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKMAN32716420071003 | archive-url =https://archive.today/20130201060249/http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKMAN32716420071003 | url-status =dead | archive-date =February 1, 2013 | access-date =2007-10-08}}</ref> The marine park opened for tourists to help generate funds for its protection as well as provide an alternative livelihood for hundreds of fishermen in the area.<ref name=enn>{{cite web|url=http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/23549|title=Sustainable Ecosystems and Community News: Philippines bans fishing to revive biggest reef|work=enn.com|access-date=24 August 2015}}</ref>

Apo Reef was declared a [[List of national parks of the Philippines|national park]] under Republic Act No. 11038 (Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018) signed by President [[Rodrigo Duterte]] in July 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Aurelio |first1=Julie M. |title=Expanded Nipas law creates 94 more nat’l parks across PH |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1007859/expanded-nipas-law-creates-94-more-natl-parks-across-ph |access-date=21 October 2024 |work=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |date=7 July 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241021053739/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1007859/expanded-nipas-law-creates-94-more-natl-parks-across-ph#selection-1165.6-1165.108 |archive-date=21 October 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

==Tourism==
All people accessing Apo Reef need to pay an environmental fee. Tourist activities are administered by the local government of Sablayan and the local office of the [[Department of Environment and Natural Resources]] (DENR).<ref name=howto>(2014-03-19). [http://www.aporeefnp.com/index.php/how-to-get-there "How To Get There"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628055120/http://aporeefnp.com/index.php/how-to-get-there |date=2014-06-28 }}. Apo Reef Natural Park Official Website. Retrieved on 2014-09-25.</ref>

===Scuba diving===
The main activity of the reef relates to its underwater quality. Scuba diving and snorkeling in Apo Reef area are exceptional due to the quality of the flora, the fauna and the clarity of the water and white sand. Many species can be observed in deep or shallow waters in particular, sharks, giant napoleons, and manta rays.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apo Reef Marine Park |url=https://dugongdivecenter.com/v3/dive-sites/apo-reef-marine-park/ |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Dugong Dive Center |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Marine gallery===
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Giant Napoleon Wrasse in Shark Point Dive Site, Apo Reef, Philippines.jpg|Giant Napoleon [[Wrasse]] at Apo Reef
File:Reef4262 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg|[[Yellowmargin triggerfish]] at Apo Reef
File:Reef4292 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg|A [[cushion star]] at Apo Reef
File:Reef4313 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg|Yellowish white [[soft coral]] at Apo Reef
File:Reef4318 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg|A yellow [[crinoid]] at Apo Reef
File:Reef4315 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg|A [[sea cucumber]] at Apo Reef
</gallery>

== See also ==
*[[Apo Reef Light]]
* [[List of natural parks of the Philippines]]
*[[List of protected areas of the Philippines]]
*[[List of reefs]]
*[[List of World Heritage Sites in the Philippines]]
*[[Tubbataha Reef]]
*[[Verde Island Passage]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== Bibliography ==
* Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Conservation of Priority Protected Areas Project, Apo Reef Natural Park Brochure. Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro; List of Proclaimed Marine Protected Areas; Protected Areas And Wildlife Bureau, 2004.
* {{cite web | title =Apo Reef Marine Reserve | work =Local government-declared MPAs | publisher =Marine Protected Coast, Reef & Management Database | date =2006-06-07 | url =http://www.coast.ph/MPAdb/showbd.asp?code=348&dc=mo | access-date =2007-10-08}} {{dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Apo Reef}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190331024101/http://www.aporeefnp.com/ Apo Reef Natural Park Official Website (DENR)]
* [http://www.lakwatsero.com/destinations/sablayan-apo-reef-and-pandan-island/ Travel Guide: Sablayan (Apo Reef/Pandan Island)]

{{Protected areas in Mimaropa}}
{{World Heritage Sites in the Philippines}}
{{Recreational dive sites|reereg}}{{Corals}}
[[Category:Coral reefs]]
[[Category:Underwater diving sites in the Philippines]]
[[Category:Reefs of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Natural parks of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Important Bird Areas of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Landforms of Occidental Mindoro]]
[[Category:Islands of Occidental Mindoro]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Occidental Mindoro]]
[[Category:World Heritage Tentative List for the Philippines]]
[[Category:ASEAN heritage parks]]