Women power in Philippines' Sarangani Bay keeps coral predator at bay

Volunteers, in this photo taken in November 2021, prepare for disposal the crown of thorns starfish that they plucked out of Sarangani Bay. —- COURTESY OF SOUTH POINT DIVERS Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1546377/women-power-in-sarangani-bay-keeps-coral-predators-away#ixzz7JEUpARBy Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): The crown of thorns starfish that have been destroying corals in the 215,950-hectare Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS) have found their match among women in coastal communities here.

Thanks to a reward of rice given out by the SBPS Protected Area Management Office (Pamo), women volunteers, most of them housewives, are coming out in groups to pluck the crown of thorns out of the sea for good, preventing the invasive species from badly damaging the rich coral system in Sarangani Bay.