The city of Sagay in Negros Occidental has achieved a remarkable milestone by being included in the global Top 100 Green Destination Stories for 2024. This honor highlights Sagay’s unwavering commitment to conservation, particularly within the expansive 32,000-hectare Sagay Marine Reserve. The featured story, titled “Illegal Fishers Turned Sea Guardians: A Ground-up Eco-Tourism Initiative to Sustain Sagay’s Protected Seascape,” showcases decades of transformative efforts.
From Poachers to Protectors: The Vision of a Leader
The initiative began in the 1970s under the late governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., who sought to shift the mindset of illegal fishers towards sustainable practices. Mayor Narciso Javelosa Jr. emphasized the significance of this recognition, stating, “Being part of the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories highlights our commitment to the environment.” The city honors Marañon’s legacy, which led to the enactment of critical laws like President Proclamation 592 and Republic Act 9106, transforming poachers into passionate stewards of the sea.
Community-Driven Conservation: A Model for the Future
Today, Sagay boasts 35 dedicated sea guardians and nearly 150 ecotourism stakeholders actively involved in sustainable practices. The establishment of 53 fisherfolk associations further amplifies community engagement in conservation. Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva noted, “We are building on Governor Freddie’s legacy, ensuring that the next generation continues to protect and preserve the Sagay Marine Reserve.”
These collaborative efforts have yielded impressive results: illegal fishing activities have significantly decreased, with sustainable fishers’ average catch increasing from 3.9 kilos in 1998 to 5.3 kilos in 2022. Coral health has improved, and mangrove cover has expanded by 17 hectares since 2019.
Inspiration for Global Change: Sagay’s Impact
Sagay’s transformation from illegal fishing to a thriving ecotourism hub exemplifies the power of community-driven conservation. Susan Santos de Cardenas, president of the Society for Sustainable Tourism, remarked that Sagay serves as an inspiring model for destinations worldwide, proving that a shared vision of sustainability can lead to profound change.
