Deadly starfish now eating Limasawa's world famous coral reefs

MAASIN CITY – Hundreds of thousands of the poisoned tipped Crown-of-Thorns starfish are now devouring hundreds of hectares of live coral reefs in seven towns along Sogod Bay according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) regional office in Tacloban.

According to BFAR Regional Director Justerie Granali they have already reached Sogod Bays world famous dive sites at Limasawa, San Ricardo, Padre Burgos and Tomas Oppus. In Limasawa alone there were an estimated 1,397 Crown of Thorn starfishes for every 500 square meters of coral reefs.

He said "Two underwater assessments were conducted by their office covering all areaswhere there were reported Crown of Thorns infestation. Our main focus now is to extract and kill them but we are undermanned and need the support of local government units in Southern Leyte. If we don't act now we can kiss its flourishing scuba diving industry goodbye." "Removal is focused on Limasawa because an estimated 90 percent of the dreaded starfish there were sexually mature," Granali added.

Granali said recent similar outbreaks have been experienced in other coral reefs in the country since 2007. In August 2011 same infestation was experienced in Hilapad Reef in Tolosa which destroyed the coral reefs there.

Marine biologists at the Southern Leyte State University also say the outbreak has serious implications on the province's fish production because every square kilometer of live coral reefs can yield from 25 to 30 metric tons of fish.

The Crown of Thorns Starfish which has 16 to 18 arms and are covered with hundreds of long toxic venomous spines are the second
largest starfish in the world and can grow up to 80 centimeters in diameter. (By RUEVIVAR M. REYES)

Other News

Maasinhon bags olympic song

Ramos will not run for city mayor

Oging looks to media for help

Coconut replanting project launched in Macrohon town

Maasin City needs 1,132 new desks for opening of classes

Salud wins sole gold

Oging 4th richest congressman in Eastern Visayas

Padre Burgos reefs to be restored

Dangerous "Saddle Point" to be lowered this year

Save Mount Nacolod forest launched

Taekwondo trio goes to Maasin

Classes to start June 4

Fisherman using power lights hit