IPOPCORM |

Culion Island was a hotspot ranked by the Philippine Government as “extremely high priority” for conservation of marine biodiversity because of the increasing human population threatening its resources. Historically, the area’s waters have been an open access resource, with unrestricted entry, and free-for-all harvesting of fisheries, leading to the consequential decline in overall production. As populations increased naturally and from migration, further pressure was put on the fishery stocks, and the livelihoods of those living there. Data had indicated that fishing-dependent households where mothers were not practicing family planning had the highest levels of child malnutrition.

In 2002, PATH Foundation Philippines, Inc. introduced the Integrated Population and Coastal Resource Management (IPOPCORM) project to the island. Using community-based approaches and an integrated framework, the project worked to reduce fishing efforts in the area and provide citizens with alternative livelihoods. Their efforts lead to improvements in coral reef conditions, household income, and a decrease in child malnutrition rates. Statistics and data is provided on the intervention and success of the IPOPCORM project around the threatened areas of the Culion Island.