Gato Island

Last updated
Gato
Gato Island.jpg
Aerial view of Gato Island
Philippines relief location map (square).svg
Red pog.svg
Gato
Geography
Location Visayan Sea
Coordinates 11°26′50″N124°01′15″E / 11.44722°N 124.02083°E / 11.44722; 124.02083
Highest elevation83 m (272 ft)
Administration
Region Central Visayas
Province Cebu
Municipality Daanbantayan

Gato Island is a rocky island located in the middle of Visayan Sea in the Asian country of Philippines. It rises from the sea in the general area between Malapascua Island and the more northern Carnaza Island, all of which are part of the municipality of Daanbantayan in the province of Cebu.

Contents

Etymology

Gato Island or locally known as "Isla del Gato", which is Spanish for "Cat Island", was named so because of its shape that looks like a curled sleeping cat when looking from the mainland of Cebu.

History

During 1933, two Japanese fishermen discovered a breeding ground of sea snakes around the island. It was believed that the locals were taught by the Japanese on how to catch the sea snakes, process the skins and even how to deal with snake bites.

The Island of Gato was previously under the administrative part of the Province of Masbate in Bicol Region of the Philippines but is more near to Daanbantayan. The supervision of the island started during 1997, when Daanbantayan passed a resolution declaring the island as a sea snake and fish sanctuary and assigning the Cebu State College of Science and Technology - College of Fisheries, Daanbantayan Campus which is now Cebu Technological University to safeguard and develop the island for research purposes. In response, the school built a research center in the island along with underwater research equipment to conduct diving activities.

In 2001, the resolution was re-enacted to make the 2-nautical-mile periphery of the island as part of the sanctuary and transfer custody and management of the island to the Municipal Government of Daanbantayan.

Geography

Isla del Gato located at the middle of the Visayan Sea. Above it to the NE is Carnaza Island. Below it to the SE is Malapascua Island, while to the SW is Guintacan Island (Kinatarkan). Gato Island Map.jpg
Isla del Gato located at the middle of the Visayan Sea. Above it to the NE is Carnaza Island. Below it to the SE is Malapascua Island, while to the SW is Guintacan Island (Kinatarkan).
Cave Opening on the side of Isla del Gato Isla de Gato Cave.jpg
Cave Opening on the side of Isla del Gato

Isla del Gato is about 15 kilometers northwest from Malapascua Island and is about 83 metres (272 ft) high above sea level. It is home to many species of seabirds and some animals flit in and out of the caves in the sea. The island is constantly washed by strong currents thus creating side cuttings with high wall of rock faces.

There is an underwater cave where divers encounter poisonous sea snakes, colored fishes and some species of shark believed to be sleeping during the day, which can be seen about 30 meters deep on the ground of the sea. The view inside and under the water cave is magnificent and divers would often liken it as if you are looking to a glass stained window with sparkling blue color and the glowing water from the sunlight. Its elevation was recorded at 188 feet (57 m) in 1919. [1]

Accessibility

The side cuttings and rock face of the Gato Island from the frequent strong waves and current in the Visayan Sea Gato Islang Rock Face.jpg
The side cuttings and rock face of the Gato Island from the frequent strong waves and current in the Visayan Sea

The Island can be reached from the three barangays of Daanbantayan namely, Tapilon, Maya, and Logon (Malapascua Island). It is 50 minutes by motorized boat from Malapascua Island. It is almost impossible to dock to the island due to undercutting of its side by wave action. Boats could come nearer the island rock face but would take a lot of precaution because of strong current.

Entering the cave of Gato Island can always be done with any outrigger boat. Everybody is allowed to enter the cave for diving and dock their boat inside or outside the opening of the cave. However, during high tide, it could be very difficult to come in due to the small opening that would make boat maneuverability troublesome. Once docked inside, divers are enjoined to do their diving activities with their diving instructors, dive masters or buddy, and those who cannot can do snorkeling but should take precaution since the island is haven for the yellow-lipped sea krait or locally known as "balingkasaw", a species of venomous sea snakes.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siquijor</span> Province in Central Visayas, Philippines

Siquijor, officially the Province of Siquijor, is an island province in the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region. Its capital is the municipality also named Siquijor. To the north of Siquijor is Cebu, to the west is Negros, northeast is Bohol, and to the south, across the Bohol Sea, is Mindanao.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wreck diving</span> Recreational diving on wrecks

Wreck diving is recreational diving where the wreckage of ships, aircraft and other artificial structures are explored. The term is used mainly by recreational and technical divers. Professional divers, when diving on a shipwreck, generally refer to the specific task, such as salvage work, accident investigation or archaeological survey. Although most wreck dive sites are at shipwrecks, there is an increasing trend to scuttle retired ships to create artificial reef sites. Diving to crashed aircraft can also be considered wreck diving. The recreation of wreck diving makes no distinction as to how the vessel ended up on the bottom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spearfishing</span> Hunting for fish using a spear

Spearfishing is fishing using handheld elongated, sharp-pointed tools such as a spear, gig or harpoon, to impaling the fish in the body. It was one of the earliest fishing techniques used by mankind, and has been deployed in artisanal fishing throughout the world for millennia. Early civilizations were familiar with the custom of spearing fish from rivers and streams using sharpened sticks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daanbantayan</span> Municipality in Cebu, Philippines

Daanbantayan, officially the Municipality of Daanbantayan, is a 1st class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 93,502 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malapascua</span> Island in the Philippines

Malapascua is a Philippine island situated in the Visayan Sea, 6.8 kilometres (4.2 mi) across a shallow strait from the northernmost tip of Cebu Island. Administratively, it is part of the peninsular barangay of Logon, Daanbantayan, Cebu. Malapascua is a small island, only about 2.5 by 1 kilometre, and has eight hamlets. According to the latest 2020 census, the island has an estimated population of 6,257.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apo Island</span> Volcanic island in Visayas, Philippines

Apo Island is a volcanic island covering 74 hectares in land area, 7 kilometers off the southeastern tip of Negros Island and 30 kilometers south of the Negros Oriental capital of Dumaguete in the Philippines. The name "Apo" means "elder" or "respected ancestor" in the Visayan languages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pescador Island</span> Island in Basdiot barangay, Moalboal, Cebu, the Philippines

Pescador Island is an island located in the Tañon Strait, a few kilometres from the western coast of the island of Cebu in the Philippines. It is part of the municipality of Moalboal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chassahowitzka River</span> River in the United States of America

The Chassahowitzka River is a spring-fed river located in southwestern Citrus County, Florida. The 5-mile-long (8 km) river is home to hundreds of species of birds including the bald eagle, and is a common refuge for the West Indian manatee. In 1941, approximately 31,000 acres (13,000 ha) of its saltwater creeks, freshwater tributaries, and hardwood hammocks were recognized as Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge. It is accessible by boat from a nearby public boat ramp that is located at the campground that also bears its Indian name which means "land of hanging pumpkins;" a reference to a wild variety that once grew along the banks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olango Island Group</span>

The Olango Island Group is a group of islands found in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. It comprises Olango island and 6 satellite islets namely: Caubian, Camungi, Caohagan, Gilutongan, Nalusuan, Pangan-an, and Sulpa. The island group has a total land area of approximately 1,030 hectares. It is divided under the jurisdiction of the city of Lapu-Lapu and the municipality of Cordova, Cebu. It lies 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) east of Mactan and is a major tourist destination in Cebu. It is known for its wildlife sanctuary. The entire area is the first declared Ramsar Wetland Site in the Philippines, as recognized in 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diving in the Maldives</span> Recreational diving region description

The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, is a small archipelagic state in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 700 kilometres (430 mi) from the Asian continent's mainland. The chain of 26 atolls stretches across the Equator from Ihavandhippolhu Atoll in the north to Addu Atoll in the south. The land area is roughly 298 square kilometres. Malé is the capital.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Molokini</span> Islet in Maui County, Hawaii

Molokini is a crescent-shaped, partially submerged volcanic crater which forms a small, uninhabited islet located in ʻAlalākeiki Channel between the islands of Maui and Kahoʻolawe, within Maui County in Hawaiʻi. It is the remains of one of the seven Pleistocene epoch volcanoes that formed the prehistoric Maui Nui island, during the Quaternary Period of the Cenozoic Era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Recreational dive sites</span> Places that divers go to enjoy the underwater environment

Recreational dive sites are specific places that recreational scuba divers go to enjoy the underwater environment or for training purposes. They include technical diving sites beyond the range generally accepted for recreational diving. In this context all diving done for recreational purposes is included. Professional diving tends to be done where the job is, and with the exception of diver training and leading groups of recreational divers, does not generally occur at specific sites chosen for their easy access, pleasant conditions or interesting features.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ramón Bravo</span> Mexican diver photographer and underwater filmmaker

Ramón Bravo was a Mexican diver, photographer and underwater filmmaker. Bravo was the person who made the phenomenon of Sleeping sharks known to the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of underwater diving</span> Hierarchical outline list of articles related to underwater diving

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to underwater diving:

The following index is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Wikipedia's articles on recreational dive sites. The level of coverage may vary:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of recreational dive sites</span> Hierarchical outline list of articles about rereational dive sites

Recreational dive sites are specific places that recreational scuba divers go to enjoy the underwater environment or for training purposes. They include technical diving sites beyond the range generally accepted for recreational diving. In this context all diving done for recreational purposes is included. Professional diving tends to be done where the job is, and with the exception of diver training and leading groups of recreational divers, does not generally occur at specific sites chosen for their easy access, pleasant conditions or interesting features.

Scuba diving tourism is the industry based on servicing the requirements of recreational divers at destinations other than where they live. It includes aspects of training, equipment sales, rental and service, guided experiences and environmental tourism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Underwater survey</span> Inspection or measurement in or of an underwater environment

An underwater survey is a survey performed in an underwater environment or conducted remotely on an underwater object or region. Survey can have several meanings. The word originates in Medieval Latin with meanings of looking over and detailed study of a subject. One meaning is the accurate measurement of a geographical region, usually with the intention of plotting the positions of features as a scale map of the region. This meaning is often used in scientific contexts, and also in civil engineering and mineral extraction. Another meaning, often used in a civil, structural, or marine engineering context, is the inspection of a structure or vessel to compare actual condition with the specified nominal condition, usually with the purpose of reporting on the actual condition and compliance with, or deviations from, the nominal condition, for quality control, damage assessment, valuation, insurance, maintenance, and similar purposes. In other contexts it can mean inspection of a region to establish presence and distribution of specified content, such as living organisms, either to establish a baseline, or to compare with a baseline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cave diving regions of the world</span> Regions of the world where known cave diving venues exist

Cave diving is underwater diving in water-filled caves. The equipment used varies depending on the circumstances, and ranges from breath hold to surface supplied, but almost all cave diving is done using scuba equipment, often in specialised configurations with redundancies such as sidemount or backmounted twinset. Recreational cave diving is generally considered to be a type of technical diving due to the lack of a free surface during large parts of the dive, and often involves planned decompression stops. A distinction is made by recreational diver training agencies between cave diving and cavern diving, where cavern diving is deemed to be diving in those parts of a cave where the exit to open water can be seen by natural light. An arbitrary distance limit to the open water surface may also be specified. Despite the risks, water-filled caves attract scuba divers, cavers, and speleologists due to their often unexplored nature, and present divers with a technical diving challenge.

References

  1. Survey, U.S. Coast and Geodetic; Christman, R.J. (1919). United States Coast Pilot, Philippine Islands. Its Serial. U.S. Government Printing Office. p.  194.