Help Save Tuka Marine Sanctuary

When you come to Tuka Marine Park, you will be in awe of the beauty of its beaches.  It is divided into four coves, so there are different choices for the avid beach lover.

This one is taken at Tuka cove 3 where the stretch of sand is perfect even for families with little kids who love to wade on the shallow waters. With its clear water, you can see a variety of small fish swimming alongside you. A great way to spend the time looking for Nemo. :)

But for me, I've always known Tuka Marine Park as a sanctuary for a number of different species of fish and other marine life, with rich coral reefs. Well, that was years ago. I wish I had underwater photos to vouch for the beauty of its coral reefs before. It is a 10-ha protected reef area spanning 2 small coves south of Buko Mountain as we were told. It includes fringing reefs with a  20-70o slope.

So it came as a shock that during the last SEx Tour (Soccsksargen Experience Tour) with other bloggers just recently, the beautiful coral gardens were not as they used to be. An infestation of the Crown-of-thorns starfish has done a lot of damage on its live coral reefs. Photos below will show the damage these pests have done on the coral gardens in the area.

Excuse my photos, it is taken with my point and shoot camera in a dicapac :)

The crown-of-thorns has done extensive damage to this once rich coral gardens

For your info, the crown-of thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) is a large nocturnal sea star that preys upon coral polyps. The crown-of-thorns receives its name from venomous thorn-like spines that cover its body. It is endemic to tropical coral reeds in the Red Sea, The Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean. As a solitary animal, they feed alone and maintain constant distance between themselves and other members of their species. (Information taken from the wikipedia).

taken at Tuka about 2 yrs ago, there were just a few of these then

This is the only starfish we may not grow fond of. :) As it may grow to about a foot across, it feeds on live corals by climbing onto reef structures, and then extrude their stomach onto the coral. This releases digestive enzymes that allow the starfish to absorb nutrients from the liquefied coral tissue. The crown-of-thorns also preys on brittle stars in a similar fashion.They are voracious predators. An individual starfish can consume up to 6 square metres (65 sq ft) of living coral reef per year. (also from the wikipedia)

Photo courtesy of Mr. Jeff Jeffords  of dive gallery

It is hard to control an infestation of this type since the crown-of-thorns when under stress can create outbreaks and, if dismembered, can regenerate from each severed or damaged limb, creating more sea stars. Therefore, controlling the crown-of-thorns is difficult and much care is required. 

The people of Kiamba are calling on Scuba clubs and scuba enthusiasts/volunteers to help harvest these one by one since it is the only way to prevent further damage on Tuka's coral reefs. For more information , please get in touch with Ms Michelle Lopez-Solon, or Mr. Avel Manansala.