2.1.5 Coastal Lands

Davao del Norte has a total coastal line of 115.377 kms. (Island base) and 76.624 kms. (land base). A total of 33 barangays are found along the coastal cities/municipalities (e.g. Tagum City, IGaCoS, Panabo City & Carmen) as shown in Table No. 1-13 with a total population of 75,970. A large part of the coastal areas, especially those of the Island Garden City of Samal, are at present being developed for tourism purposes, while some coastal areas are still being inhabited by fisherfolks who dwell in cluster, linear or solitary settlements.

The shorelines of the Province consist of rocky shores, coral reefs, sandy beaches and tidal flat types. Each shoreline has different ecosystems such as mangrove forest and coral reefs. Mangrove forest, though in relatively small areas within the Province with 242 has., provides significant contributions in terms of its products and services beneficial to the people and the surrounding environment; Benefits are of ecological and economic potential. Mangrove forest occurs on the tidal flats along the coastline of the mainland of the coastal Municipalities and Cities extending along the streams and river channels where water is brackish. Species of mangroves found thriving in the area are the Pagatpat, Bakauan, Pototan, Langarai and others. Mangroves serve as protective buffer zones during strong winds and big waves.

These coastal ecosystems have been degraded to a different degree and seawater quality has deteriorated due to the following activities, to wit:

· Construction of houses and other structures by the shoreline squatters and settlers.

· Gathering of construction materials from mangrove species;

· Destructive fishing (dynamite fishing and other illegal fishing practices;

· Daily activities (gathering of firewood, discharge of untreated wastewater from households, poultry, farms, etc.);

· Sedimentation on the coast due to soil erosion and landslides caused by deforestation, upland farming, quarrying and other activities.