A marine conservation organization is spearheading the expansion of the first sustainable bay in Palawan through the establishment of a network of marine protected areas (MPA) in Shark Fin Bay (SFB).

The Sulubaai Environment Foundation, founded by Frenchman Frederic Tardieu, 69, made Pangatalan Island in Taytay, Palawan the first MPA in the SFB.

“I own the island and I have this idea to develop a private MPA around the island, with municipality water lease. The idea is to implement a fully protected MPA so the local community will see the importance of protecting it,” says Tardieu, Sulubaai’s general manager, in an email to the DAILY TRIBUNE.

The former land developer from Marseilles, France discovered Taytay in 1992.

“It was a totally wild part in Palawan and we love this region without tourism,” he says.

Tardieu relocated to Pangatalan in 2011 with his wife, Chris.

During the launching of the #100DayMobilizationOcean campaign by France’s Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel and Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate Subcommittee on the Paris Agreement, on 28 February, Sulubaai was introduced as one of the 11 local non-government organizations supporting the mobilization through marine conservation projects.

Sulubaai staff Kimberly Mamburam presented the organization’s projects at the launching event.

“What we need to do more is to strengthen the engagement of the local community for the first sustainable bay in Palawan to become an example for the objective of the United Nations before 2030 and a spotlight for the Philippines country,” Tardieu says.

Mamburan revealed that the Shark Fin Bay MTA Network, consisting of four MPAs that include the Pangatalan Island, is managed, protected and conserved by members of the local community.

“The role of Sulubaai Foundation is to support these communities from three barangays to implement projects, activities and initiatives in marine conservation and protection,” she said.

One of the Sulubaai projects is fishery management enhancement in SFB to develop sustainable livelihood for the local communities.

This is done by restoring and boosting the recovery of devastated marine habitats.

“We also replenish fish stocks through our post-larval capture and culture release project,” she added.

Sulubaai also helped develop educational programs for the schools to teach the youth and the community about ocean conservation.

The organization also organized a series of information, education and communication campaigns, including school visits and lectures about marine habitats and MPAs in schools, and production and distribution of additional MPA materials for the MPA network.

Sulubaai also launched its Sea Academy Plus Project, which will be implemented from 2025 to 2028.

“This will advance and scale up our activities in Shark Fin Bay. And to kick off the Sea Academy Project, we have the fifth marine protected area in Shark Fin Bay on its way. And then we also are invited to the third UNOC (United Nations Ocean Conference) in June,” she said, adding that Sulabaai will take part in four sessions of the event.

Established in 2012, the name Sulubaai is a portmanteau for Sulu Sea and “bahay” or home as the foundation had its roots in Pangatalan Island located in the said body of water.

Tardieu proudly says that the Pangatalan Island has been recognized as sustainable island in Asia, a “hope spot” by Mission Blue, zero carbon resort and sustainable tourism spot.

Meanwhile, the Shark Fin Bay MTA Network is a recipient of a Blue Sparks award by the Marine Conservation Institute for being a potential Blue Park.