Text Box: About Us: APO Island / Philippines Text Box: Total area 0.74 km2 (0.3 sq mi) Population (2009) 845 people Coordinates: 9°5′N 123°15′E / 9.083°N 123.25°E / 9.083; 123.25 Text Box: Geography Apo Island is located off the southeastern tip of Negros Island, 25 km south of capital Dumaguete City The island expands approximately 1.5 km (0.9 mi) from north to south and 1 km (0.6 mi) from east to west, the island has a land area of just 12 hectares and rises to a height of 120 meters (390 feet) above sea level at its highest point. It can be reached by a 30-minute boat ride from the fishing/market village of Malatapay. Text Box: Marine sanctuary and tourism Apo Island is one of the world's best known community-organized marine sanctuaries, and as such it has been well documented by the global science community. The project was started in 1982. It is home to over 650 documented species of fish and estimated to have over 400 species of corals. Visitors and tourists pay a fee to enter Apo Island and to snorkel or dive in the marine sanctuary there. In 2003, Chicago's Shedd Aquarium opened a Wild Reef exhibit based on Apo Island's surrounding reef and marine sanctuary. Text Box: Liberty, (Background: the volcanic rocks of APO ) the present Barangay Captain and „the mother“ of the Island. Together with her brother Mario Pascobello and Dr Alcala from Siliman University Marine Studies , initiated the establishment of the marine sanctuary. 1982 from zero ( all was destroyed) to one of the best in the Philippines. She paid for all associated cost for guarding the sanctuary and gave alternative jobs for fishermen. Her engagement and financial support was the success for the sanctuary. She is also helping and advising to set up sanctuaries on other islands as well. Text Box: Contact us mail : Libertys Community Lodge and Dive shop APO Island, PO Box 1 Negros Oriental Philippines, 6217 E-mail : liberty_apoisland@yahoo.com Liberty Lodge : 063(0) 35 321 1036 ( Landline) Liberty private : 063(0)920 912 4593 Skype Address : libertyresortandpds