Planting mangroves on seagrass beds is an “ecological scandal,” according to mangrove expert Jurgenne Primavera, who criticized Cathay Pacific’s recent initiative to plant 5,000 mangrove seedlings in Carcar City, Cebu. Primavera outlined the potential ecological consequences of the project and called for science-based conservation practices to protect marine ecosystems. “First, seagrass beds form an ecosystem by themselves. Their inhabitants like dugong, pawikan, seahorses, rabbitfish/danggit, etc., will disappear if replaced by mangroves. It is WRONG to rob Peter (seagrasses) in order to pay Paul (mangroves),” Primavera said.

Mangrove expert, Oceana raise concerns over mangrove planting in Cebu. (2024, November 18). Daily Guardian, pp. 10, 9.