Push Admin

SLIDESHOW: Protecting reefs from Crown-of-Thorns Starfish infestation

Article (news)

Danny Ocampo, ABS-CBN News

<p>Volunteer divers collected crown-of-thorns (COTs) starfish (Acanthaster planci) from Sepoc Wall, a popular dive site, in Tingloy, Batangas on Sunday, May 23, 2021. </p><p>Crown-of-thorns starfish eat coral polyps and are natural residents of coral reefs. But due to several factors such as lack of predators, they can reach outbreak levels and could devastate a healthy reef in a few days. Coral reefs take 20 to 30 years to recover from severe COTs infestation. </p><p>Collection of Crown-of-thorns should be done properly and carefully to avoid damaging corals and ensure they do not release eggs while being removed from the reef due to stress. The divers collected more than 140 COTs at an average depth of 4 to 6 meters, covering an area of less than 100 sq m in 60 mins. </p><p>The group called on resort operators, fellow divers and the local governments of Mabini and Tingloy to monitor COTs infestations and remove them from the reef properly to protect the health of coral reefs in the area.</p><div class="media-content"><div class="slider-for"><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/05/23/1-crown-of-thorns-sepoc-do.jpg?ext=.jpg"/></div><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/05/23/2-crown-of-thorns-sepoc-do.jpg?ext=.jpg"/></div><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/05/23/3-crown-of-thorns-sepoc-do.jpg?ext=.jpg"/></div><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/05/23/4-crown-of-thorns-sepoc-do.jpg?ext=.jpg"/></div><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/05/23/5-crown-of-thorns-sepoc-do.jpg?ext=.jpg"/></div></div><div class="media-content slider-desc"><div class="item-desc"><p>Volunteer divers collect crown-of-thorns (COTs) starfish (Acanthaster planci) from Sepoc Wall, a popular dive site, in Tingloy, Batangas on May 23, 2021. <cite>Danny Ocampo, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>A volunteer diver carefully removes a crown-of-thorns (COTs) starfish (Acanthaster planci) from Sepoc Wall, a popular dive site, in Tingloy, Batangas on May 23, 2021. <cite>Danny Ocampo, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Crown-of-thorns starfish eat coral polyps and are natural residents of coral reefs. <cite>Danny Ocampo, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>A volunteer diver carefully removes a crown-of-thorns (COTs) starfish (Acanthaster planci) from Sepoc Wall, a popular dive site, in Tingloy, Batangas on May 23, 2021. <cite>Danny Ocampo, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Crown-of-thorns (COTs) starfish (Acanthaster planci) collected from Sepoc Wall on May 23, 2021. <cite>Danny Ocampo, ABS-CBN News </cite></p></div></div></div>

<p>Crown-of-thorns starfish eat coral polyps and are natural residents of coral reefs, but due to several factors such as lack of predators they can reach outbreak levels and could devastate a healthy reef in a few days. Coral reefs take 20 to 30 years to recover from severe COTs infestation. </p>

Crown-of-thorns starfish eat coral polyps and are natural residents of coral reefs, but due to several factors such as lack of predators they can reach outbreak levels and could devastate a healthy reef in a few days. Coral reefs take 20 to 30 years to recover from severe COTs infestation.

SLIDESHOW: Protecting reefs from Crown-of-Thorns Starfish infestation

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Lifestyle

SLIDESHOW: Protecting reefs from Crown-of-Thorns Starfish infestation

Danny Ocampo,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 23, 2021 02:17 PM PHT

Read More:

Crown-of-thorns

Sepoc Wall

Tingloy

Mabini

Batangas

diving

coral reefs

crown-of-thorns infestation

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.