DENR study confirms Boracay coral reefs declining

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) expressed concern that corals in this resort island are declining based on their study conducted recently.

In an interview, Dennis Pinosa of the DENR Regional Office based in Iloilo City said that he served as a team leader of the study dubbed as "Boracay Boracay Cover Reef Assessment."

"The assessment was conducted on September 28, 2015 to December 9, 2015 and January 16-17, 2016. It was supported by the local government of Malay and the 1st Boracay Master Divers Association Incorporated," Pinosa said.

The DENR team conducted assessment in seven out of 25 diving sites in Boracay. The seven diving sites visited were the Coral Garden, Angol Point, Bulabog Reef, Yapak Beach, Friday Rock, Crystal Cove and Magic Island and the Channel Rift.

"The DENR lacks personnel and funding to conduct assessment to 25 diving sites in this resort island, the reason why we can only cover seven diving sites," he said.

The DENR study mentioned that among the reasons of the degrading coral reefs in this resort island were the coral bleaching, the proliferation of the crown of thorns and the unregulated diving activities.

"We had observed that hundredths of divers apparently in a daily basis visit some of the diving sites in Boracay. The unregulated diving activities hamper the natural growth of the corals," Pinosa added.

In conclusion, the DENR study urges for the formulation of the Integrated Coastal Management Plan of Boracay; formulation of the management plans for the existing Marine Protected Area; Expansion of Marine Protected Areas; Regulation of diving activities; close monitoring and stricter implementation regarding the waste and waste water discharges in bodies of water and the conduct of carrying capacity study.