The corals around Panaon Island in the southeastern Philippines form some of the healthiest and most climate-resilient reefs in the world, and they’re now a legally protected seascape.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the Panaon Island Protected Seascape law on Aug. 29. It creates a 61,204-hectare (151,200-acre) marine protected area within the Pacific Coral Triangle, a marine biodiversity hotspot that’s been called the Amazon of the Sea. The region is home to more marine species than anywhere else in the world.   

“This is one of the rare places where coral reefs remain in excellent condition, and we now have a chance to keep them that way,” Von Hernandez, vice president of conservation nonprofit Oceana in the Philippines, said in a statement.

In 2020, Oceana led a three-week expedition that found that the waters around Panaon Island had three times the national average of coral cover and an abundance of marine life. But the team also found evidence of destructive fishing practices and plastic pollution.

The region forms part of the migration route for endangered whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), and is home to other threatened species, including sea turtles and the endangered Philippine duck (Anas luzonica).

“Panaon is situated in an area known as a vital corridor for marine mammals,” said Nikka Oquias, Oceana’s marine protected area campaign lead. “Its waters are teeming with life and provide important breeding and nursery grounds for fish, allowing marine life and people to thrive.”

Under the law, new speed limits for ships will be introduced, as well as more specific guidelines for commercial activities. A Protected Area Management Board composed of local community representatives and government agencies will also determine zoning rules. Some areas will be dedicated to strict protection, while others will be open to commercial activities such as fishing and tourism.

According to national news outlet Daily Tribune, one of the municipalities on the island, Pintuyan, held a cultural event in May 2025 to pressure the federal government into signing the law. The proposed law was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate in February 2025 and had been awaiting presidential approval since.

“This is very important for us to strengthen protection of our marine resources, not only for us today but also for future generations,” Ricarte Estrella, the mayor of Pintuyan, told the outlet. “The passage of the law is an essential step to implement conservation measures to ensure long-term, well-managed ecosystems.”

Banner image: Marine life off Panaon Island in the Philippines. Image courtesy of Oceana/Danny Ocampo.