pakman
Contributor
http://www.asianjournal.com/?c=186&a=19758
National Geographic to document RP's deep seas
MANILA, Philippines -- The National Geographic Channel is sending a team to the Philippines to make a documentary on species endemic in the country's deep seas, according to US Ambassador Kristie Kenney.
"They're sending a team to do deep sea research on species they believe can only be found in the Philippines and nowhere else in the world," Kenney told reporters during Sunday's Earth Day celebration at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.
The National Geographic documentary would be "a great way to call attention to the extraordinary biodiversity in the Philippines." It was also part of the partnership between Washington and Manila to protect the environment, she added.
The team is expected to arrive in September or October, according to Kenney.
"I have been here for a year now. I've seen so much of the country's natural beauty and the first thing that comes to mind is we've got to preserve it ...for the next generation,'' she said.
The two countries have linked up on a number of projects, with Washington providing an annual $10-million (P476 million) grant to support local initiatives to protect the environment.
The US Agency for International Development has been supporting environmental programs across the country aimed at improving the management of coastal and forest resources, reducing air and water pollution, combating climate change and improving waste management.
The US Department of Treasury, through the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation, is also granting $8 million (P381 million) to local non-government organizations for forest conservation, according to the US Embassy.
Statistics suggest the Philippines is among the more popular tourist stops in Asia, partly due to its high seas biodiversity.
As an archipelago, the Philippines has a coastline of 36,289 kilometers, one of the longest in Asia, and 26,000 square kilometers of coral reef area.
According to the environment department, 1,815 of the 2,145 marine fish species are found in the Philippine seas, 33 of which are endemic, 1,729 are reef-associated, 169 are pelagic and 336 dwell in deep waters. There are also 5,000 known species of clams, snails and mollusks; 981 bottom-living algae; 915 reef fish species and 400 coral species, 12 of which are endemic.
National Geographic to document RP's deep seas
MANILA, Philippines -- The National Geographic Channel is sending a team to the Philippines to make a documentary on species endemic in the country's deep seas, according to US Ambassador Kristie Kenney.
"They're sending a team to do deep sea research on species they believe can only be found in the Philippines and nowhere else in the world," Kenney told reporters during Sunday's Earth Day celebration at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.
The National Geographic documentary would be "a great way to call attention to the extraordinary biodiversity in the Philippines." It was also part of the partnership between Washington and Manila to protect the environment, she added.
The team is expected to arrive in September or October, according to Kenney.
"I have been here for a year now. I've seen so much of the country's natural beauty and the first thing that comes to mind is we've got to preserve it ...for the next generation,'' she said.
The two countries have linked up on a number of projects, with Washington providing an annual $10-million (P476 million) grant to support local initiatives to protect the environment.
The US Agency for International Development has been supporting environmental programs across the country aimed at improving the management of coastal and forest resources, reducing air and water pollution, combating climate change and improving waste management.
The US Department of Treasury, through the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation, is also granting $8 million (P381 million) to local non-government organizations for forest conservation, according to the US Embassy.
Statistics suggest the Philippines is among the more popular tourist stops in Asia, partly due to its high seas biodiversity.
As an archipelago, the Philippines has a coastline of 36,289 kilometers, one of the longest in Asia, and 26,000 square kilometers of coral reef area.
According to the environment department, 1,815 of the 2,145 marine fish species are found in the Philippine seas, 33 of which are endemic, 1,729 are reef-associated, 169 are pelagic and 336 dwell in deep waters. There are also 5,000 known species of clams, snails and mollusks; 981 bottom-living algae; 915 reef fish species and 400 coral species, 12 of which are endemic.
.....good one!
