WWF: Harmful starfish threatening RP corals again

COTS or crown-of-thorns starfish (ancanthaster planci), which can decimate entire sections of coral reef in weeks, are back in the Philippines and in greater numbers. This was the warning aired Wednesday by environmental group World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which said outbreaks have been reported in coastal areas in Luzon and Mindanao. "This year the COTS have returned – in ever greater numbers. Yesterday, outbreaks were reported in Mabini, Batangas., WWF said in a statement on its website. WWF said a check through its sites throughout the country revealed that COTS outbreaks had also hit Apo Reef and Puerto Galera in Mindoro, Roxas in Palawan, Bolinao in Lingayen Gulf, Kiamba and Glan in Sarangani Bay. WWF said "it is possible that many other coastal areas have been affected as well," A single COTS can totally consume six meters of healthy reef yearly, it said. WWF said COTS outbreaks usually occur during summer, when ocean temperatures and nutrient levels increase and give rise to algal blooms. It blamed "intense pressures" by population and fishing for the wiping out of many predators that should, under normal conditions, "keep COTS populations in check." Among these predators are several Wrasse species (including the Napoleon Wrasse or Mameng), the Giant Triton (Charonia tritonis) and coral polyps themselves. WWF said these species are steadily declining due to illegal collection for the food and aquarium trade. "Normally, reefs should be left alone to deal with unusual occurrences such as this. However, the situation facing Philippine reefs is far from normal. We once had 25,000 square kilometers of coral reef," WWF said. It also cited a recent World Bank that barely 1 percent remains pristine and more than 50 percent are unhealthy. "This vacation season, WWF-Philippines urges everyone going to the beach to help clean up COTS infestations – to minimize local damage and support the rehabilitation of our ailing coral reefs," it said. Lory Tan, WWF chief operating officer, suggested that when diving or snorkelling, people should look for conspicuous portions in healthy coral heads worn white. Usually, she said the starfish, which looks like a cross between a sea urchin and a large grey starfish, is nearby. "Do not touch it – for a COTS’ long spines are capable of severe stings. Contact will almost surely inflict severe swelling, pain and nausea that can last for hours or days, so be extremely careful," she said. WWF advocates the proper method of collecting and disposing of COT starfish. Using tongs, or anything similar, gently pry the COTS from the coral head or rock face. Do not cut it up, for its constituent parts may live on. Place all collected COTS in a bucket or holding bin - then dispose of them humanely on the beach. WWF has already organized numerous COTS cleanups, the most recent of which netted out hundreds of COTS last February at Apo Reef. "We have to act now, and not when summer is over – and the damage has been done," Tan said. "Ultimately, the best response it to keep the reef healthy, stop over-fishing, manage sewage and agricultural runoffs, and promote balanced reef biodiversity," she added.