Thursday, May 24, 2007 Coral-eating starfish imperils Davao Gulf By Carlo P. Mallo
POLLUTION, siltation, and destructive fishing methods are not the only environmental threats throttling the survival of Davao Gulf's coral reefs, walking in its midst and sucking out the life of corals is a starfish specie that is growing in number because of the disappearance of its natural predators.
According to Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary Commodore Margarita Moran-Floirendo, who also heads the Davao Gulf Management Council, this specie of starfish is one of the biggest threats to the biodiversity of the gulf.
"The absence of the natural predators of the crown-of-thorns has left its population growth unchecked and off-balance," Floirendo said Wednesday.
The natural predator of an adult crown-of-thorns is the endangered Trumpet Triton or budyong. While it its younger stages, it is the prey of the equally endangered Napoleon Wrasse.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is on an information drive about the endangered status of these two predators that hold the key to the control of crown-of-thorns.
On the other hand, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources asserted that they are already trying to breed the Napoleon Wrasse species in their study plant in Palawan.
Without its natural predators, the crown of thorns can be manually taken out of the waters and buried. Divers use long thongs to pick these spiny creatures as its spines are poisonous. Care is also taken when harvesting crown of thorns as it tends to spawn when wounded.
Floirendo strongly believes that it is very important to educate the youth, particularly the children on the importance of preserving the gulf. She added that this was the primary reason why they partnered with the Department of Education in their campaign for the protection of the gulf.
