The Wonderful West Philippine Sea

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• VIRONMENTTAND ENT OF E RESOURCES
• Page 2We are grateful to the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute for its science, guidance, and steadfast commitment to understanding and safeguarding our seas; to the Philippine Coast Guard for its vigilance and tireless work defending the waters that sustain our people; to the DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau for leading conservation of the Philippines' rich marine heritage and for guiding the DENR Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service in bringing the idea of this book series into fruition. This publication constitutes an original work product of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and is issued solely for informational and non-commercial purposes. No part hereof may be sold, resold, licensed, or otherwise commercially distributed without the prior written authorization of the DENR.
• Page 3This book is for every child who looks at the sea with wonder; may it inspire them to explore the life beneath the waves, cherish our oceans, and remember that even the smallest acts of care help protect what is ours.
• Page 4Come swim with me! Hi! I'm Pawi, a sea turtle. I have a very special home called the West Philippine Sea. Would you like to explore it with me? Hold my flipper.... Let's dive in!
• Page 5Welcome to My Home! The water is warm and blue. Sunlight dances on the waves.
• Page 6Come, come, let's walk on the beach to meet friends that protect my home! My friends help keep my home a safe place for marine animals to eat, grow, and rest.
• Page 7Meet Mangrove and family! Mangroves
• Page 8Now, let's go further down where seagrass meadow also give protection to young fishes. Wow, this is also a special place where dugongs eat and live! Seagrass Meadow The Ocean's Dining Table
• A Busy Underwater City"Come closer!" Can you see the colorful coral reefs? Corals are tiny living animals that build giant underwater homes. Fish, crabs, sea stars, and many other creatures live here.
• The Strong Blue Coral Garden"Wow, what a beautiful blue garden! Can you see the blue corals swaying with the waves?" Blue corals are strong reef builders that create underwater homes for many fish and sea creatures. They can live in places with strong currents, but they still need healthy oceans to survive.
• The Gentle GiantA huge shadow swims above us. Don't be scared! It's a whale shark-the biggest fish in the world. Even though it is very big, it only eats tiny plankton. What a gentle giant!
• Home of Many FishesoThe West Philippine Sea is filled with o colorful reef fish including: Clownfish Butterflyfish • Angelfish Parrotfish
• Page 13Meet Nemo's Cousin! The clownfish lives inside a sea anemone. The anemone protects the fish. The fish helps keep the anemone clean. They make a great team!
• The Colorful ParrotfishParrotfish use their strong beaks to nibble algae from corals. As they eat, they help keep coral reefs healthy. Some of the white sand on beaches even comes from parrotfish!
• The Busy ButterflyfishButterflyfish swim among colorful corals. Their bright colors help them find friends and stay safe. There are many kinds living in the West Philippine Sea.
• The Sea Stars and Sea CucumbersNot all sea animals are fish! Sea stars crawl along the ocean floor. Sea cucumbers help clean the seabed. Everyone has an important job!
• The Clever OctopusAn octopus is very smart. It can squeeze through tiny spaces. It can even change color to hide from danger.
• Page 18"Look down! Can you see the giant clam resting on the ocean floor?" The Giant Clam's Colorful Home
• The Green Sea TurtleJust like me, other sea turtles travel far across the ocean. very
• Page 20Whew! That's one big adventure, a great tour! The West Philippine Sea is truly A Sea Full of Wonder! "I love my home because it is full of life!"
• Every Ocean Friend Needs a Special Place in Our HomeI hope I've given you enough ideas about my home, the West Philippine Sea, my friends, and family. Now let's see how well
• Page 22Let's Count! Can you
• Page 23Add more colors to our lives!
• Amazing TeamworkI hope you noticed that every little thing connects to another thing on top of and under the sea - the mangroves, seagrass, fishes, and other sea creatures. We even provide food to people. That is why we need to care and help each other.
• MY OCEAN PROMISEI promise to: Love the ocean. Keep it clean. Protect marine animals. Share what
• Ocean HeroesMany Filipinos work hard every day to protect the West Philippine Sea. Community volunteers
• Page 27Be an Ocean Hero! Small hands can make a big difference.