Apo Island Marine Sanctuary

Dauin, Negros Oriental, Central Visayas

A small volcanic island off the Negros coast that became a landmark in community-managed conservation when fishermen declared their own no-take zone in 1982 — long before it was fashionable. The result is a reef of extraordinary density: green and hawksbill sea turtles glide past at arm's length, the coral walls drop sheer from the surface, and fish biomass is among the highest recorded in Southeast Asia. Reached by banka from Malatapay, Apo Island is the Philippines' proof of concept for marine protection.

📸 Achilezweb (CC BY-SA 4.0), Anna Varona (CC BY 4.0), Hydrochic (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons

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