Length 97 mi | Geology Reef | |
The Danajon Bank is a double barrier reef in the Philippines.
Contents
Map of Danajon Bank, Philippines
Overview
One of only six double barrier reefs in the world, Danajon Bank runs for 97 miles (156 km) in the Central Visayas, around the following islands: Bohol, Cebu, and Leyte.
Conservation efforts
Due to overfishing, the Danajon Bank has a declining population of fish, and many upper-level predators have ceased to hunt along the reef. To counteract this, 34 Marine Protected Areas have been established. From 2003 to 2010 USAID funded the FISH Project, a conservation project aimed at managing fisheries in the Philippines, including those on the Danajon Bank.
Species
Species such as anemonefish, parrotfish, angels, wrasses, blue-edged sole, and messmate pipefish are present in the ecosystem of the Danajon Bank. Large sea fans and sponges live in the areas with deeper water, as does branch coral. The reef is also home to three endangered coral species such as the mushroom coral, bubble coral, and elegance coral. Seahorses live in the reef, and have become a popular attraction for environmentalists seeking to observe the animal in its natural habitat.