Tuesday, July 01, 2008 'Salanay infestation' in Danjugan Island By Gil Alfredo B. Severino
PROVINCIAL Environment Management Office (Pemo) specialist Natalie Joquiño said more than 10,000 highly-poisonous salanay or crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) were harvested by trained divers and volunteer fisherfolks in Danjugan Island, overlooking barangay Punta Bulata in Cauayan.
Joquiño said the infestation of salanay is due to the depletion of the triton and mameng fishes in the area.
Salanay, a corral reef predator whose body is protected by thousands of extremely sharp spines, is reportedly infesting Danjugan, a marine protected area (MPA), Joquiño said.
Earlier, some 10 divers were mobilized to retrieve salanay in 10 to 15 feet deep areas while 75 fiherfolks in shallow areas, Joquiño said.
She said it is normal to find 15 salanays in every hectare of underwater marine ecology. "Salanay is needed for coral thinning because an overcrowded coral reef hampers the growth of fish. The presence of triton and mameng feed on salanay so its spread can be controlled."
"The problem is that triton and mameng are highly saleable. Irresponsible fishing reduced triton and mameng into endangered species, thus the sudden surge of salanay population," Joquiño explained.
She said the retrieval operation initially started last week.
The German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) aided the operation by giving volunteers one kilo of rice for every 20 pieces of salanay harvested.
Joquiño said, at present, the waters of Hinoba-an are being surveyed while Sipalay City is now working on its own in clearing its seas.
As to specific laws and its implementation, Joquiño stressed that being an endangered species, the mere possession of the triton shell is illegal and could result to a jail term for the possessor.
She said the implementation of laws regulating the endangered species is the responsibility of the local government unit (LGU) and line agencies, primarily the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Bureau of Aquatic Resources.
