Looc Fish and Marine Sanctuary (Looc, Romblon)

        

        Looc Fish and Marine Sanctuary is located in Looc, Tablas Island, Romblon, Philippines. It is a protected marine area in the middle of the bay at Looc town, Tablas, Romblon. It was officially inaugurated on January 12, 1999. Prior to this, the community of Looc, Romblon began a four (4) year process of intensive education, community organizing and participation in a new coastal resource management project.

Located at the center of Looc Bay, the fish sanctuary host diverse species of tropical reef fishes, hard and soft corrals, sea grass beds, marine turtles, octopus, eels and seabirds. Close to the floating bamboo raft is over 500 pieces of multi-colored giant calms which are naturally regenerating. The bamboo raft serves as a home to fish wardens patrolling the bay and sanctuary. It can accommodate 20 to 30 visitors per scheduled trip. This area has become the main tourist attraction in the town. Snorkelling, diving and fish feeding are allowed in the sanctuary with minor supervision.

Together with my cousins, we visited and enjoyed the Fish Sanctuary last June 4, 2011.

Since the start, Looc fish sanctuary has grown to a considerable size, with over 1,500 giant clams, many beautiful corrals, fish of many species, and now hosts a great feeding platform, a big family favourite. Wide variety of multi-colored tropical reef fish, hard and soft corals formations, sponges, sea-grass beds, giant clams, marine turtle, octopus, eels, occasional pelagic fishes, dolphin and seabirds.

There is an office at the Looc pier where you pay the P100 per head for entrance fee and boat fare to the sanctuary. You can also rent a mask, life jacket and snorkel. It’s a 5-minute boat ride to the permanent floating shelter at the sanctuary.

The floating shelter has an opening in the middle where there is no floor and you can see straight down into the water. This allows you to see the fish very well without even having to swim. If you want to see a lot of fish, be sure to bring some bread to feed them. Floating covered viewing platform inside the sanctuary has tables and seating to accommodate group seminars and field trips. February through May is the best months to visit the Looc Bay Marine Refuge and Sanctuary. The sea is at its clearest and calmest during this time.

To get up close and personal with the fish, don a mask and snorkel and jump into the clear waters. The most abundant fish life is immediately around the shelter, you will find a reef with some other interesting formations and marine life, including giant clams, enormous sea cucumbers and starfish.