Fast Facts of Sumilon Island in Philippines
Depth: 18-40m
Currents: Moderate
Getting there : 3 hours by road from Cebu City
Best months: Nov to May. Located off the southeast tip of Cebu in Philippines, Sumilon Island gained limelight from the entire world when the first marine sanctuary in the country was built here. Sumilon Island in Philippines hosted the marine sanctuary in 1974 under the supervision and know-how of Silliman University’s marine laboratory. Sumilon Island Marine Sanctuary is now cited as the best locale of preserving coral reef and enhances reef fisheries management. Ten years ago, the destructive fishing practices were stopped till the fishery increased. This miraculous increase in the fish catch, impressed scientists, reef managers and fishers and led to boom in export of fish and their larvae till the rules of the fish sanctuary on Sumilon were broken in 1984. It was much later the through eventual management of the area, the biological balance of the area including the preservation of coral reef and reef fisheries management could be achieved. If you visit the Sumilon Island in Philippines between December and May, you may also spot rays, tuna and jacks and sharks.
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