An ecological crisis is unfolding beneath the waves in Southern Leyte, Philippines. A severe outbreak of crown-of-thorns starfish has devastated coral reefs, with 80% of fisherfolk suffering the consequences of this marine invasion.
The crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci), notorious for its spiky, venomous spines, feeds voraciously on coral polyps, leaving behind a trail of destruction in reef ecosystems. This latest outbreak is part of a troubling pattern, with major occurrences recorded in 2012, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, and now in 2024, according to Ryan Tomol, a marine conservation advocate and presenter at the Visayas Regional Marine Protected Area Forum on November 21.
The Roots of the Outbreak
Tomol attributed the recurring outbreaks to climate change, overfishing, and habitat degradation, which have reduced the natural predators of the crown-of-thorns starfish. “These factors have created the perfect storm for these outbreaks to persist,” he explained.
While the precise damage to Southern Leyte’s reefs is yet to be quantified, the visible destruction is alarming. Coral reefs—critical habitats for marine biodiversity and vital fishing grounds—are being stripped bare, leaving fisherfolk with dwindling catches and forcing many to relocate.
A Grassroots Battle Underwater
On the frontlines of this battle is a group of 50 volunteers called the Dap-Ag Boys, who have been manually removing crown-of-thorns starfish since 2019. In their weekly dives, the group collects 200 to 300 starfish, and over the years, they’ve removed more than 8,000 individuals from the local reefs.
But the scale of the problem far exceeds their capabilities. “Despite our efforts, the damage remains widespread,” Tomol lamented, adding that their limited resources and manual approach slow down progress.
Compounding their challenges is the disconnect between their strategies and those of local and provincial governments. “We’ve reached out to the local government unit and provincial authorities, but their methods don’t align with ours,” he shared in Cebuano.
The Bigger Picture
The crown-of-thorns starfish, native to the Indo-Pacific, is a natural part of coral reef ecosystems. However, when their populations explode, they become a destructive force. Growing up to 24 inches in diameter, these starfish are close relatives of sea urchins and sea stars, and their spiny, crown-like appearance makes them unmistakable.
Outbreaks like these highlight the fragility of marine ecosystems under pressure from human activities and climate change. Without immediate action, the ripple effects could devastate not only coral reefs but also the livelihoods of communities that depend on them.
A Forum for Solutions
The Visayas Regional Marine Protected Area Forum, organized by the MPA Support Network in collaboration with the Partnerships for the Philippine 30×30 Project, aimed to address crises like this by sharing best practices for marine biodiversity conservation. The forum underscored the urgent need to strengthen the management of marine protected areas, which are critical for preserving the country’s rich marine ecosystems.
As the Dap-Ag Boys continue their tireless efforts underwater, Southern Leyte’s fisherfolk are hoping for broader support and innovative solutions to turn the tide against the crown-of-thorns starfish. For now, the battle rages on, one dive at a time.
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