Apo Reef Natural Park Apo Reef Natural Park Apo Reef Natural Park

To protect and conserve Apo Reef, its associated waters, biodiversity, and island. Apo Reef is the largest coral reef in the Philippines and second largest connecting coral reef in the world.

Species of Concern: damselfish, wrasse, butterflyfish, grouper, goby, angel fishes, blennies, parrotfish, cardinalfish, snapper, triggerfish, fusilier, siganid, squirrelfish, jack, trevally

Restrictions

According to the 2007 No-Take Policy, all extractive activities, including fishing and coral collection and harvesting, are prohibited.

According to the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act, except as may be allowed by the nature of this area's designation and pursuant to rules and regulations governing the same, the following acts are prohibited:
1. Poaching, killing, destroying, disturbing of any wildlife including in private lands within the protected area;
2. Hunting, taking, collecting, or possessing of any wildlife, or by-products derived therefrom, including in private lands within the protected area without the necessary permit, authorization or exemption: Provided, that the PASU (Protected Area Superintendent) as authorized by the management boardshall issue a permit, authorization or exemption only for culling, scientific research;
3. Using any fishing or harvesting gear and practices or any of their variations that destroys coral reefs, seagrass beds or other marine life and their associated habitats or terrestrial habitat as may be determined by the DA (Department of Agriculture) or the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources);
4. Dumping, throwing, using, or causing to be dumped into or placed in the protected area of any toxic chemical, noxious or poisonous substance or nonbiodegradable material, untreated sewage or animal waste products or products whether in liquid, solid or gas state, including pesticides and other hazardous substances;
5. Operating any motorized conveyance within the protected area without permit from the management board;
6. Mutilating, defacing, destroying, excavating, vandalizing or, in any manner, damaging any natural formation, religious, spiritual, historical sitcs, artifacts and other objects of natural beauty, scenic value or objects of interest;
7. Littering or depositing refuse or debris on the ground or in bodies of water
8. Possessing or using blasting caps or explosives anywhere within the protected area;
9. Occupying or dwelling in any public land within the protected area without clearance from the management board;
10. Undertaking mineral exploration or extraction within the protected area;
11. Engaging in commercial or large-scale quarrying within the protected area;
12. Establishing or introducing exotic species, including GMOs or invasive alien species within the protected area;
13. Conducting bioprospecting within the protected area without prior management board;
14. Prospecting, hunting or otherwise locating hidden treasures within the protected area;
15. Any activity that in any manner will mutilate, deface, destroy, excavate, fill-in, vandalize, or damage any natural formation, religious, spiritual, historical sites, artifacts and beauty, scenic value or objects of interest to IPs/ ICCs will not be allowed except those that are consistent with the management plan and approved by the management board.

Allowed

The following activities are allowed:
1. Recreational swimming.
2. Scuba Diving.
3. Snorkeling.
4. Sightseeing.
5. Sun bathing.
6. Photography.
7. Glass bottom boat excursions.
8. Kayaking.
9. Birdwatching.
10. Dolphin watching.