User:Garminonicole

Beautiful Tubbataha Reef of Philippines

DESCRIPTION

More than being a top diving spot in the Philippines, Tubbataha Reef offers a grandeur like no other. This spectacular underwater world is considered as one of the most pristine coral reefs in the world.

Tubbataha Reef is known for its extraordinary biodiversity, abundant marine life and breathtaking drop-offs into the open ocean. The area covers 130,028 hectares of high quality marine habitats containing three atolls and a large area of deep sea. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is home to a great diversity of marine life—whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles and Napoleon wrasse are among the key species found here.

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park lies in a unique position in the middle of the Sulu Sea, and is one of the Philippines’ oldest ecosystems. Aside from being a famous diving spot, it also plays a key role in the process of reproduction, dispersal and colonization by marine organisms in the whole Sulu Sea system, and helps support fisheries outside its boundaries.

It is legally protected through national protected areas legislation and a range of other environmental legislation which enable action to be taken against a wide range of threats including illegally fishing.

FACTS

– Tubbataha Reef was discovered by divers in the late 1970s.

– Tubbataha is home to 374 species of coral and almost 500 species of fish.

– Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park also protects one of the few remaining colonies of breeding seabirds in the region.

– The reefs of the property support almost 90% of all coral species in the Philippines.

– The Tubbataha Reef location is within the Coral Triangle, a global focus for coral biological diversity.

– In 1988, President Corazon Aquino designated Tubbataha a national marine park—the first in the Philippines’ history.

– UNESCO inscribed it as a World Heritage Site in 1993.

– Fishing in Tubbataha Reef is prohibited.