Part 12/13:
Local residents, like fishers, bear the brunt of these compounded pressures. Many report dipping catch rates and economic decline caused by habitat loss and climate-related changes. For example, fishermen like 66-year-old Marciano Arcana have seen their incomes decline sharply due to dredging and habitat degradation.
Conservation efforts, community awareness, and sustainable policies are critical to mitigating these effects. Initiatives such as underwater cleanups and mangrove planting demonstrate local commitment, but addressing these issues ultimately requires coordinated national and international action.