Project Ocean: one year on in the Philippines

In 2011 Selfridges launched its largest charitable initiative to date: Project Ocean. The campaign aims to celebrate the beauty of the oceans and help to understand the threats resulting from over-fishing. Our highly successful first year activity provided enough funds for Zoological Society London to set up a marine reserve in the Philippines.

The Selfridges Marine Protected Area is on the Danajon Bank in the Central Visayas; a rare double-barrier reef (one of only five in the world) covering 2,500 km2. The MPA offers an exciting opportunity to make a real difference by safeguarding local fish species and their ecosystem over the long term, training the local community to maintain and protect the area.

In April 2012, four of Selfridges’ own travelled to the Phillipines to see the fantastic achievements of Project Ocean so far and witness first hand how much more needs to be done. Linda Hewson, the project manager of the campaign; Andrew Cavanna, the fresh fish buyer and creator of the Selfridges Fish Guide; Andrew Robertson, a dedicated Project Ocean guru and Jean Mullenders, a keen fundraiser for the cause, share their eye-opening experiences with a daily diary.

Day 1

We spent the day recharging our batteries at the resort in Cebu after a mammoth 17 hour flight. We explored the area before having lunch at the beach restaurant; salmon fishcakes, clams, two different types of seaweed, tiger prawns and fizzy water. Very healthy and tasty and all ethically-sourced, of course. 

We met Mia, Hazel, Angie and Heather, the local Project Seahorse staff who are employed by the Selfridges Marine Protected Area, and went through our itinerary for the next few days. Lots of exploring to look forward to. 

Day 2

We caught a waterbus to Mataboe to visit the Selfridges MPA and were welcomed by the local community there. Was great to see the wonderful work that Project Ocean has done and we were very proud to help erect the sign, marking the area as a protected marine sanctuary.

We went snorkelling in the MPA and saw an amazing array of beautiful corals but not so many fish. Hopefully with the ongoing protection of the area, this will soon change. Snorkelled close to the under-construction MPA guard house, also funded by Project Ocean. It’s built on concrete stilts in the ocean and will be used to monitor fishing activity, particularly watching for illegal fishing at night time.

At dinner we enjoyed another delicious meal of rice, fried fish, tomato and cucumber salad, squid, aubergine and beautiful fresh mango for dessert. Then onto karaoke, the less said about that the better…

Day 3

After a big breakfast (cold friend squid in the morning doesn’t sound right, but tastes wonderful) we took a tricycle ride to Tubigon where we had the honour of meeting the Mayor. He is working with the government and project staff to highlight fishing issues, to educate and legislate and promote the good work of the communities.

We took a boat to Handumon to visit the first MPA and where Project Seahorse began. We were welcomed by the local community and felt very privileged once more. It was a very remote area but inspiring to see how much pride they take in the Project Seahorse training centre.

We departed for Jiao where we would spend the next few days. We waded from the boat to the island as the sun was setting. After settling into the remote staff house we went night-snorkelling on the lookout for seahorses. Was fabulous to see the phosphorescent plankton – when you splash your hands around on the surface they glow luminous green with the movement of the water. We found the seahorses bobbing near the coral and they had camouflaged themselves to their surroundings. Fascinating!

 

Day 4

We spent the day island hopping and visiting more MPAs at Busalian, Pinamgom, Cataban and Banbanon. At Busalian we visited the two-storey staff house that was used in the Project Ocean ad campaign. At dinner there was a presentation to thank the team and volunteers for all their hard work. We tasted fermented coconut water, it tasted like fish juice!

Day 5

We sailed through a man-made Mangrove-forest at Banancon where the trees grow from the ocean and help to protect the coastal areas. We cruised to Minantaw where our lunch of just-caught shellfish, crab and lobster was delivered by boat – just like pizza delivery, but over the ocean. Finally, we travelled back to the resort at Cebu to prepare for our long journey back to the UK.

 

See more photos of the trip here.

Discover how we're continuing our Project Ocean campaign in the Selfridges London Foodhall this year.

PROJECT OCEAN

Project Ocean was launched in May 2011 to inspire the public to celebrate the beauty of the oceans, to understand the threats resulting from over-fishing and to help us all make positive choices about the right fish to buy and eat.

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