A community participant reviews fish sizes during the marine assessment training.

The majority of local residents rely on fisheries for their livelihood, making the maintenance of marine ecosystem health imperative. This will be achieved through the establishment of a marine reserve in St. Paul Bay. It will include the present marine sanctuary, which is not supported by legislation, currently managed by the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and World Heritage Site.

Saguda Palawan is working closely with the management of the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park and World Heritage Site as a member of its Protected Area Management Board since its establishment. The group has also done work in the PPSRNP WHS through the conduct of a baseline assessment of its biodiversity funded by the UNDP. Experience and lessons learned in the management of Tubbataha can be applied to St. Paul Bay, although on a smaller scale.

For this project, Saguda Palawan will be working with the PPSRNP staff and its management board, the local government unit, the Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council, and a local people's organization. The Sabang Sea Ferry Association is participating in the community consultations, while the fisheries council has expressed enthusiasm in taking positive action towards the establishment of a local reserve. The PPSRNP staff will assist in conducting marine surveys, under the supervision of a marine science consultant who shall lead the participatory marine assessment. This will ensure the generation of accurate data that shall serve as planning inputs in subsequent community consultations. Saguda Palawan shall forge linkages with the city government so that an effective lobby can be made for an ordinance establishing the marine reserve.