Philippines Ranks 214th out of 220 Countries in Ocean Health Index

Ranked 214th among 220, the Philippines faces significant challenges in maintaining ocean health.

The Philippines has recently ranked 214th out of 220 countries in the Ocean Health Index, scoring 58 out of 100, which is significantly below the global average of 73. This marks a substantial decline from previous scores of 67 in 2021 and 65 in 2020, signaling deteriorating marine ecosystem health. The situation has been exacerbated by China’s destructive campaign to invade Philippine waters, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, which is part of the Philippine exclusive economic zone.

Massive Coral Reef Destruction

A comprehensive study by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) titled “Deep Blue Scars: Environmental Threats to the South China Sea” reveals that dredging and landfill operations, primarily attributed to China, have caused significant coral reef damage in Philippine waters over the last 10 years. These island-building activities have destroyed over 6,200 acres of coral reef, with China responsible for 75 percent of this environmental damage.

Other countries involved in the disputed waters, such as Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan, have also contributed to coral reef damage, albeit to a lesser extent. Vietnam has been responsible for damaging 1,402 acres of coral reef, while Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan have damaged 83, 40, and 32 acres, respectively.

In addition to dredging and landfilling, substantial portions of coral in the West Philippine Sea have suffered due to giant clam harvesting, predominantly by China. Chinese activities have resulted in approximately 16,535 acres of reef damage.

Huge Blow to Biodiversity

The West Philippine Sea is home to 571 of the world’s 1,683 reef-forming coral species, and this biodiversity is crucial for the marine ecosystem’s health. The destruction of these reefs is a significant blow to biodiversity, as they support a diverse array of marine species and provide critical protection against the impacts of waves, storms, and floods.

The Philippines maintains a high biodiversity score of 82 out of 100 on the Ocean Health Index, but its scores for the “sense of place” goal have declined, dropping from 64 in 2020 to 48 in 2023. This goal assesses the protection of locations that are integral to marine-related cultural identities for current and future generations.

AMTI’s analysis identified four features occupied by the Philippines that have been impacted by China’s giant clam harvesting: Commodore Reef (Rizal Reef), Loaita Island (Kota Island), Northeast Cay (Parola Island), and Thitu Island (Pagasa Island). These reefs have suffered damage ranging from 8 to 505 acres due to China’s giant clam harvesting activities.

Factors Contributing to the Decline

Overfishing, pollution, and climate change are increasingly threatening the Philippines’ vibrant marine habitats, jeopardizing not only local livelihood sources but also global environmental health. The decline in ocean health occurred sometime between 2019 and 2020, with the lowest score of 56 recorded in 2021.

Despite the challenges, the Philippines scored 93 in coastal protection and 91 in artisanal fishing opportunities. However, the country scored the lowest in tourism and recreation in the Ocean Health Index, indicating that more benefits could be gained or that current methods are harming the delivery of future benefits.