• Apo Island Marine Sanctuary is almost completely managed by local fishermen. After the fishermen adopted and understood the findings outlined by researchers at Silliman University, they formed the Marine Management Committee (MMC, later known as PAMB).

• The National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) consisting of members from national, provincial, municipal and local levels - has the ultimate say into what goes on in the marine sanctuary, though they need little involvement due to the success that the locals have had in managing this resource. 

Some of the personal conflicts, political factions, complaints about government, and many other things typical of human society:

1. Economic Distribution - Many feel that the economic benefits of tourism, which go mainly to the hotel owners, should be distributed more evenly. 

2. Locals had no control over funds - While participation in the national sanctuary program has reinforced the status of the Apo Island sanctuary and provided networking benefits, it also means island fishermen no longer have complete control of sanctuary management or funds that come from diving and snorkeling fees.

3. Limited Visitors - Limits are put around the number of visitors and dives on the reef each year to minimize stress on fish and accidental breakages of coral (Marten, n.d.).

4. Diver Conflict - There has been some conflict between the tourism industry and local fishermen, as the fishermen believe that divers cause fish to scatter and make them harder to catch - as a result no dives are permitted within 50m of fishing activity and diving is prohibited on the best fishing grounds(ICCA Registry, 2010).