Mass die-off of Boracay corals believed to be caused by coliform

The mass die-off of corals in this resort island may have been caused by the coliform as reported by the Sangkalikasan Producers Cooperative (SPC).

Jose Rodriguez of the SPC said that they have monitored two unusual events leading to the deaths of corals last year - population explosions of coral crown of thorns and nutrient indicator algae smothering reef surface area, blocking out sunlight.

It was learned that around 20 hectares of corals in this resort island were affected by the outbreak.

"Both are high sewage pollution event indicators in coral reefs. These detrimental events can now be linked to the DENR Report of high counts of fecal borne pathogen -E. coli, an indication of high sewage content and high nutrient conditions in the surrounding marine environment," Rodriguez said Thursday.

"In the absence of agricultural fertilizer run-off, it is known that sewage outfall can cause high nutrient levels. We suspect that large volume of sewage is being dumped into the surrounding beach continuously. We should also be wary of other fecal borne pathogens besides E. coli," he added.

Although the DENR has cleared the waters of Boracay safe for swimming, the SPC said that coral reefs are more sensitive.