Cebu-based vlogger Bonifacio Jomio is helping conserve the seas by protecting aquatic life, one coral at a time.
With the help of coconut vinegar or the locally known “tuba”, Jomio sets out to control the population of crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS), whose invasive properties have been devastating coral reefs in the coastal waters of Badian, Cebu. He encounters more than 50 COTS daily, and injects them with the vinegar solution to prevent them from destroying underwater ecosystems.
The starfish species is known as a pest in the municipality due to their irregular and increasing population that damages the environment. While they are a corallivore or a species that mainly feeds on corals, they are also venomous and may cause swelling when they sting humans.
With their spawning rate equating to a million per breeding period and their natural predators, such as the giant triton snail, dwindling in numbers, COTS can kill coral reef systems at an alarming rate, affecting the quality of aquatic life in the area.
crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) coral reef system in Badian
crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) coral reef system in Badian
crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) coral reef system in Badian
However, this invasive problem has a surprisingly simple solution. According to the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, using a 20ml injection of coconut vinegar, which is an acetic acid, is lethal to COTS, which helps control their massively increasing population.
“This method is widely used by conservation groups because it’s effective and doesn’t harm corals or other marine life,” said Jomio in a video post, as he demonstrated the injection process that they use to curb the outbreak.
With the continuous changes in marine life ecology, the rise of ocean temperatures, and the loss of marine biodiversity, solutions like this are implemented to help maintain and conserve the richness of our aquatic flora and fauna.
With Jomio’s effort to take on the responsibility, may it be a reminder that continuous marine neglect may result in adverse effects if not taken seriously.