Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Manila Bay: Environmental Challenges and Opportunities

  • Chapter
The Environment in Asia Pacific Harbours

4. Conclusion

Manila Bay has a wide range of environmental problems that need to be addressed — from land-based and sea-based sources of pollution to harmful algal blooms, subsidence and groundwater extraction, overexploitation of fishery resources, and habitat conversion and degradation. However, there are reasons to be optimistic. There is greater accountability expected of public officials vis-a-vis environmental laws, significant and increasing infrastructure investments to treat and reduce domestic sewage discharges into the bay, the implementation of the Manila Bay Environmental Management Project, and the adoption the concept and practice of ICM by local government units and communities around Manila Bay.

The Manila Bay Coastal Strategy’s response to the many issues confronting the bay is articulated as follows:

“Manila Bay stakeholders are partners in: raising public awareness and participation, protecting human welfare, ecological, historical, cultural and economic features, mitigating environmental risks, implementing effective policies and environment management and governance, and developing areas and opportunities in a sustainable manner.”

Time will tell if the envisioned response will be pursued and continued so that Manila Bay will revert to be a clean, safe, wholesome, and productive ecosystem for the present and future generations.

We acknowledge with thanks the help and assistance of Dr. Laura David, Roselle Ty Borja, and Iris Uy Baula. We are also grateful to the Philippine Coast Guard for giving us access to the most recent oil spill data.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

6. References

  • Acorda, L., 1985. Manila Bay Study. EMB-DENR, Quezon City.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armada, N.B., 1994. Capture fisheries of Manila Bay: Final report on capture fisheries component of the resource and ecological assessment of Manila Bay. Fisheries Sector Program, Department of Agriculture, Quezon City.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armada, N.B. 2004. State of the demersal fisheries. In: Alcala, A.C. (ed.), In Turbulent Seas: The Status of Philippine Marine Fisheries. Coastal Resource Management Project, Cebu City, pp. 42–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Azanza, R.V., Miranda, L.N., 2001. Phytoplankton composition and Pyrodinium bahamense toxic blooms in Manila, Bay Philippines. Journal of Shellfish Research 20, 1251–1255.

    Google Scholar 

  • Azanza, R.V., Taylor, F.J.R.M., 2001. Are Pyrodinium blooms in the Southeast Asian region recurring and spreading? A view at the end of the Millennium. Ambio 30, 356–364.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Azanza, R.V., Siringan, F.P., McGlone, M.L.S.D., Yñiguez, A.T., Macalalad, N.H., Zamora, P.B., Agustin, M.B., Matsuoka, K. 2004. Horizontal dinoflagellate cyst distribution, sediment characteristics and benthic flux in Manila Bay, Philippines. Phycology Research 52, 376–386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bajarias, F.F.A, Relox, J. 1996. Hydrological and climatological parameters associated with the Pyrodinium blooms in Manila Bay, Philippines. In: Yasumoto, T., Oshima, Y., Fukuyo, Y. (eds.), Harmful and Toxic Algal Blooms. IOC-UNESCO Paris, pp. 49–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • BFAR Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. 1995. Fisheries Sector Program-Resource and Ecological Assessment of the Manila Bay. Final Report. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources — Department of Agriculture, Quezon City.

    Google Scholar 

  • Breitburg, D.L., Steinberg, N., Dubeau, S., Cooksey, C., Houde, E.D., 1994. Effects of low dissolved oxygen on predation on estuarine fish larvae. Marine Ecology Progress Series 104, 235–246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corrales, R.A., Crisostomo, R., 1996. Variation of Pyrodinium cyst density in Manila Bay, Philippines. In: Yasumoto, T., Oshima, Y., Fukuyo, Y. (Eds.), Harmful and Toxic Algal Blooms. IOC of UNESCO, Paris, pp. 181–184.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corrales, R.A., Maclean, J.L., 1995. Impacts of harmful algae on seafarming in the Asia-Pacific Areas. Journal of Applied Phycology 7, 151–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • EVS Environment Consultants., 1996. Classification of Dredged Material for Marine Disposal. Report to Civil Engineering Department, Government of Hong Kong, EVS Environment Consultants, North Vancouver.

    Google Scholar 

  • FNRI Food and Nutrition Research Institute., 1987. Third national nutrition survey. Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Manila

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, P., Miranda, L.N., Azanza, R.V. 2004. Green Noctiluca scintillans: a dinoflagellate with its own green house. Marine Ecology Progress Series 275, 79–87.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hinga, K.R., Jeon, H., Lewis, N.F., 1995. Marine Eutrophication Review Part I: Quantifying the effects of nitrogen enrichment on phytoplankton in coastal ecosystem. U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coastal Ocean Office, Washington D.C., 36 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • IMO International Maritime Organization. 1994. Global Survey Case Study on the Development of Waste Management Options to Phase-out Ocean Dumping of Industrial Wastes in the Philippines, Technical Report, Intergovernmental Maritime Organization, unpublished.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacinto, G.S., San Diego-McGlone, M.L., Velasquez, I.B., Smith, V., 1998. N and P budget in Manila Bay, Philippines. In: Watson, I., Vigers, G., Ong, K.S., McPherson, C., Millson, N., Gass, D. (eds.) ASEAN Marine Environmental Management: Towards Sustainable Development and Integrated Management in ASEAN. EVS Environment Consultants, North Vancouver and Department of Fisheries, Malaysia, pp. 341–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacinto, G.S., Velasquez, I.B., San Diego-McGlone, M.L., Villanoy, S.L., Siringan, F.B., 2005. Biophysical Environment of Manila Bay — Then and Now. In Wolanski, E. (ed.), The Environment in Asia Pacific Harbours. Springer. pp. 293–309.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karim, R.M.D., Sekine, R., Ukita, M., 2002. Simulation of eutrophication and associated occurrence of hypoxic and anoxic condition in a coastal bay in Japan. Marine Pollution Bulletin 45, 280–285.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maclean, J.L. 1984. Indo-Pacific red tide occurrences, 1972–1984. In: White, A.W., Anraku, M., Hooi, K.-K. (Eds.), Toxic Red Tides and Shellfish Toxicity in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Singapore and International Development Center, Ottawa pp. 92–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Narcise, C.I.S., Jacinto, G.S., 1997. Distribution of trace metals in Manila Bay sediments. In: Vigers, G., Ong, K.S., McPherson, C., Millson, N., Watson, I., Tang, A. (Eds.), ASEAN Marine Environmental Management: Quality Criteria and Monitoring for Aquatic Life and Human Health Protection. EVS Environment Consultants, North Vancouver and Department of Fisheries, Penang, pp. V65–V69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nilsson, H.C., Rosenberg, R., 1994. Hypoxic response of two marine benthic communities. Marine Ecological Progress Series 115, 209–217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nixon, S.W., 1995. Coastal marine eutrophication: a definition, social causes and future concerns. Ophelia 41, 199–219.

    Google Scholar 

  • NSO National Statistics Office., 1996. 1995 Census of Population. National Statistics Office, Manila.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oposa, A., 1996. Legal Marketing of Environmental Law: The Philippine Experience. Proceedings Fourth International Conference on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement. United States Environmental Protection Agency National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP), Cincinnati, pp. 405–418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pauly, D., Silvestre, G., Smith, I., 1989. On development, fisheries and dynamite: A brief review of tropical fisheries management. Natural Resources Modeling 3, 307–329.

    Google Scholar 

  • PEMSEA, 2001. Manila Bay: Initial Risk Assessment. PEMSEA Technical Information Report No. 2001/01. Global Environment Facility / United Nations Development Programme / International Maritime Organization Regional Programme on Building Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), Quezon City, 112 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • PEMSEA, 2004. Manila Bay: Refined Risk Assessment. PEMSEA Technical Information Report No. 2004/01. Global Environment Facility / United Nations Development Programme / International Maritime Organization Regional Programme on Building Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), Quezon City, 112 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • PRRP Pasig River Rehabilitation Program, 1999. Manila Bay Monitoring Status for 1996–98 and Recommendation for Continued Monitoring. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Quezon City and Danish International Development Assistance (Danida) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Denmark.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prudente, M.S., Ichihashi, H., Tatsukawa, R., 1994. Heavy metal concentrations in sediments from Manila Bay, Philippines and inflowing rivers. Environmental Pollution 86, 83–88.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rabalais, N.N., Turner, R.E., Wiseman, Jr. W.J., 2002. Gulf of Mexico hypoxia, a.k.a. “The dead zone”. Annual Review Ecological Systems 33, 235–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ronquillo, I.A., Caces-Borja, P., Mines, A.N., 1960. Preliminary observations on the otter trawl fishery of Manila Bay. Philippine Journal of Fisheries 8, 47–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, R., 1990. Negative oxygen trends in Swedish coastal bottom waters. Marine Pollution Bulletin 21, 335–339.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sanberg, E., 1994. Does short-term oxygen depletion affect predator-prey relationships in zoobenthos? Experiments with isopod Saduria entomon. Marine Ecological Progress Series 103, 73–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santiago, E.C., 1997. The levels and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) contamination in bottom sediment in Manila Bay. Science Diliman 9, 16–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silvestre, G., Federizon, R., Muñoz, J., Pauly, D., 1987. Overexploitation of the demersal resources of Manila Bay and adjacent areas. Paper presented at the Symposium on the Exploitation and Management of Marine Fishery Resources in Southeast Asia, 16–19 February 1987, Darwin, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siringan, F.P., Ringor, C.L., 1998. Changes in bathymetry and their implications to sediment dispersal and rates of sedimentation in Manila Bay. Science Diliman 10, 12–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siringan, F.P., Rudolfo, K.S., 2003. Relative sea level changes and worsening flood in Western Pampanga Delta: Causes and some mitigation measures. Science Diliman 15, 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smayda, T.J., 2002. Turbulence, watermass stratification and harmful algal blooms: an alternative view and frontal zones as “pelagic seed banks”. Harmful Algae 1, 95–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Velasquez I., Jacinto, G.S., Valera, F.S., 2002. The speciation of dissolved copper, cadmium and zinc in Manila Bay, Philippines. Marine Pollution Bulletin 45, 210–217.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Velasquez, I.B., Jacinto, G.S., Narcise, C.I., Cuaresma, N.C.T. Jr., 1997. The role of dissolved nutrients and other abiotic factors in red tide episodes in Manila Bay. In: Vigers, G., Ong, K.S., McPherson, C., Millson, N., Watson, I., Tang, A. (Eds.), ASEAN Marine Environmental Management: Quality Criteria and Monitoring for Aquatic Life and Human Health Protection. EVS Environment Consultants, North Vancouver and Department of Fisheries, Penang, pp. 1167–1178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Villanoy, C.L., Azanza, R.V., Altemarano, A., Casil, A., Attempts to model the bloom dynamics of Pyrodinium, a tropical toxic dinoflagellate. Harmful Algae, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Villanoy, C.L., Corrales, R.A., Jacinto, G.S., Cuaresma, N.C.T. Jr., Crisostomo, R., 1996. Towards the development of a cyst-based model for Pyrodinium red tides in Manila Bay. In: Yasumoto, T., Oshima, Y., Fukuyo, Y. (Eds.), Harmful and Toxic Algal Blooms. IOC of UNESCO, Paris, pp. 189–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, R.S.S., 2002. Hypoxia: from molecular responses to ecosystem responses. Marine Pollution Bulletin 45, 35–45.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

    G. S. Jacinto, R. V. Azanza & I. B. Velasquez

  2. National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

    F. P. Siringan

Authors
  1. G. S. Jacinto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. V. Azanza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. I. B. Velasquez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. F. P. Siringan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Australia

    Eric Wolanski PhD, DSc, FTSE, FIE Aust

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2006 Springer

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Jacinto, G.S., Azanza, R.V., Velasquez, I.B., Siringan, F.P. (2006). Manila Bay: Environmental Challenges and Opportunities. In: Wolanski, E. (eds) The Environment in Asia Pacific Harbours. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-3655-8_19

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation