Where We Work
CENTER OF THE CENTER OF GLOBAL MARINE DIVERSITY
In their 2005 study, Carpenter and Springer identified the Verde Island Passage (VIP) as an area with the highest concentration of marine shorefish biodiversity per unit area on the planet. Their study analyzed 2983 combined ranges and revealed the VIP area of the Central Philippines as the area of highest diversity and endemism, with about 1736 species overlapping over a 10-kilometer area. In addition, the study showed that the greatest concentration of 120 restricted-range endemics is in the Philippines which has 38, compared to Indonesia/Malaysia which has 19, Australia 18, New Guinea/Bismark/Louisade 18, Coral Sea/New Caledonia/Vanuatu 17, and seven other localities had either one or two endemics.
The VIP covers an area of approximately 1.14 million hectares, stretching about 100 km from its northwestern point west of Lubang, Occ. Mindoro to its most southeastern point in Romblon Island’s municipality of Corcuera. This stretch covers the five provinces of Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque and Romblon.
Our Scope
The SEA Institute’s primary area of coverage includes the five provinces in the Verde Island Passage, namely Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, and Romblon. These provinces are popularly known for their tourism values due to their historical, religious and ridge to reef endowments. In addition, SEA Institute's mandate also covers the larger area of the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape and the Coral Triangle region.