The book entitled Matyag: State of Coastal Habitats in the Six Philippine Marine Biogeographic Regions features published results of the National Assessment of Coral Reef Environments (NACRE) Program.
Matyag highlights 23 sites in 14 provinces representing the Philippines' six marine biogeographic regions. The Philippines' interior and exterior seas are demarcated into regions by strong currents that act as barriers, creating distinct endemic coral and reef fish communities within each bioregion. This offers the opportunity to examine each site from a regional and oceanographic perspective.
Each section of the book presents data on a site's reef fishes, fisheries, mangroves,
seagrasses, and coral reefs. Full-page habitat maps and smaller maps of historical data and fishing gear usage are interwoven with graphs and qualitative findings.
seagrasses, and coral reefs. Full-page habitat maps and smaller maps of historical data and fishing gear usage are interwoven with graphs and qualitative findings.
Matyag received recognition from the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) for being one of 2021's Outstanding Books.
The honor is shared in spirit by everyone who has been involved in the NACRE Program, without whom this book would not exist. Matyag and the NACRE program are an example of what can be accomplished by scientists backed by enormous support and collaboration.
We would like to recognize that the success of this book and the entire program was made possible through the active participation of the fisherfolk in all sites.
It is hoped that this book will promote a better appreciation of the complexities of our marine ecosystems, including a recognition of our responsibilities toward these ecosystems both as national patrimony and as global common good.
—Chancellor Michael Tan, foreword
I designed this book over the course of more than 2 years, serving as collaborator, layout artist, graphic artist, and part-time editor. This is, of course, not to discount the hundreds of people that put work towards the completion of this book: an entire page of Matyag is dedicated to thanking each by name and institution. The book underwent several transformations over the 2 years but maintained a clear vision: to present the findings for selected sites in one beautiful product. It was finally published as a small print run in October 2020 during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Hopefully, when the situation improves, the book can be reprinted and distributed to the program's stakeholders.
Matyag: State of Coastal Habitats in the Six Philippine Marine Biogeographic Regions is available to download free of charge from the Department of Science and Technology's e-Library upon creating an account. Click here to view Matyag's DOST e-Library page.
