Marine Conservation Philippines is a non-profit based in the Visayas region of the Philippines. Our underwater world is under tremendous pressure – too much garbage and litter, especially plastic is being thrown in, and too many fish are being fished out. Only 0,1 percent of the seas are covered by coral reefs, yet these fragile reefs are home to an astounding 25% of all marine species. The Philippines are the middle of the coral triangle, and with a land mass of 7000 islands it has a unique topography with a collective stretch of shoreline, longer than any other nation in the World. This means that the Philippines are home to more coastal reefs than anywhere else in the world, making it the frontline of the fight for preservation of fragile marine habitats. 

We dare to dream of a future and of a sea where our kids and their kids can still marvel at grazing sea-turtles and sharks and where coastal communities enjoy adequate fish-stocks for the next generations. We invite you to dream that dream with us. 

MCP is a Philippino based NGO working to preserve fragile marine habitats like coral reefs and mangrove forests and improve quality of life for marginalised fisherfolk in the central Philippines. MCP is a volunteer based organisation where international volunteers can join a large professional team of marine biologists, scientists, teachers and dive instructors, and help tackle the myriad problems and issues facing the Oceans today. Participation in the program involves extensive scuba diving activities. Volunteers need not be qualified divers prior to starting - they can learn as part of the program.

As a volunteer-based organisation, we depend on volunteers both to keep operational and to conduct the work at land and at sea.  Some volunteers have a background in biology and many are already scuba divers. Neither is required however, and non-divers can learn scuba diving through the PADI Open Water and Advanced Open Water course before starting the in-water work.  What we do require from everyone, besides obviously   the desire to help preserve some critically endangered environments, is the understanding that you do so at the expense of some creature comforts. We expect everyone to understand that volunteering with us is no resort stay or a five star holiday. Volunteering is for people who like getting their hands dirty – no-one is here to make other peoples beds or clean their rooms, there’s very long days in the water, and it might be your turn to lend a hand in the kitchen or water plants in the mangrove nursery. We all bunk in together, and it really is a bit like camping out. Camp fires and story telling included. 

Our operational area currently spans about 60 kilometres of coastline on the island of Negros Oriental, some of it encompassing some incredible dive sites such as the reefs of Dauin, and right across from our base lies world famous and stunning Apo Island.