In 2002, after noticing a marked reduction in the catch of marginal fishermen who rely on the sea for sustenance, the Municipal Council of Ronda approved an ordinance establishing the marine sanctuary in Sitio Baha-baha, Barangay Sta. Cruz.

Noting that the cause for the decrease in fish catch is overfishing and illegal fishing, the town legislators saw it fit to establish the protected area to address issues of man-made causes to ecological imbalance.

The established marine sanctuary is a coral reef which is a known breeding ground for fish and other marine creatures. Protecting this area will ensure their unhampered reproduction and growth.

In protecting the marine sanctuary, the municipal officials tapped the barangay leadership as well as the fishermen so that the community will all be involved in protecting this resource for the future generations.