“SCUBASURERO” JOINT OPERATION FOR THE REMOVAL OF CROWN OF THORNS (COTs) STARFISH IN CABILAO ISLAND’S SEAFLOOR/CORAL REEF AREAS.
The Coastal Law Enforcement Council (CLEC) Cluster 2, composed of the municipalities of Cortes, Maribojoc, Loon and Calape, and headed by CLEC 2 chairperson and Municipality of Loon Mayor Elvi Peter L. Relampagos, conducted a joint “SCUBASURERO” operation for the removal of the pesky crown of thorns (COT) starfish Cabilao Island’s underwater seafloor/coral reef areas on January 31, 2025. The activity was spearheaded by the Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office (BPEMO) scuba divers, with participation of scuba divers from the DENR, PDRRMO, Police Environmental Desk Officers (PEDOs) of Loon, Calape and volunteers. James Hex, an American licensed dive master also participated in the underwater operation.
Photos show the Joint “SCUBASURERO” Operation Team on their way to Cabilao Island from the Mocpoc Sur wharf and the divers searching for the COTs underwater. The Crown of Thorns (COTs), Acanthaster planci, is a large starfish that preys on all types of corals and can eat their way through 10 m2 per year. The presence of 15 or more COTs in a one hectare area is considered an outbreak, thus, COTs are considered as one of the biggest threats in coral reef areas.
