A group of dedicated volunteers and environmental organizations came together this weekend for a
marine conservation initiative at Buyayao Island, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro, focused on protecting
coral reefs from the damaging effects of the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS).
Through a collaborative COTS removal activity held on October 3–4, 2026, volunteers worked
together to collect a total of 609 Crown-of-Thorns Starfish from the surrounding marine
environment.
The activity brought together Mindoro AdvenTours, Mindoro State University – Center for
Environmental Studied, Freediving Coaches Of Asia – Calapan, Mindoro Freediving Buddies, and
the Local Government Unit of Bulalacao (Tourism, MENRO, MAO, MDDRMO & Bantay Dagat),
alongside individual volunteers who shared the same commitment to marine conservation.
More than simply removing COTS, the activity served as an opportunity to raise awareness about the
importance of protecting coral reefs and maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem.
The Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS) is a natural part of coral reef ecosystems. However, when their
population increases to outbreak levels, they can become a serious threat to coral reefs. COTS are
voracious predators of living coral tissue, and a large concentration of starfish can consume coral
faster than the reef can naturally recover.
The loss of living coral can have consequences far beyond the reef itself. Coral reefs provide habitat
and food for many marine species and are also important to coastal communities and tourism.
Healthy reefs attract divers, freedivers, snorkelers, and other visitors, while degraded reefs can
reduce the quality and appeal of marine tourism destinations.
For the volunteers, however, the weekend was about more than numbers.
“For us, conservation is not just about removing COTS. It is about building awareness, inspiring
people to care, and creating a community that takes responsibility for the ocean we all depend on.
Every volunteer who joined this activity became part of that mission.” – Tina Jarabe of Mindoro
AdvenTours
The collection of 609 COTS represents the combined effort of people who willingly gave their time,
energy, and skills in service of the marine environment.
The organizers emphasized that conservation is not the responsibility of one organization or sector
alone. It requires cooperation among local communities, environmental groups, tourism
stakeholders, government agencies, divers, and volunteers.
The initiative also highlighted the growing role of freediving and diving communities in marine
conservation, demonstrating how recreational skills can be used responsibly to support
environmental protection.
Every volunteer who participated contributed to a larger purpose: helping protect the reefs that
provide habitat for marine life, support coastal communities, and contribute to the natural beauty
and tourism potential of Mindoro.
The organizers expressed their gratitude to everyone who participated and supported the activity,
recognizing that meaningful conservation begins when people are willing to come together for a
common cause.
“One ocean. One advocacy. One community working together.”
The organizers hope that this initiative will encourage more people to become involved in protecting
Mindoro’s marine ecosystems and inspire continuing collaboration for future reef conservation
activities.
For the volunteers, the message is simple: our ocean belongs to all of us, and protecting it is a
responsibility we can share.
