The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Rose de la Cruz
First, it was the unabated illegal construction of resorts and houses within the periphery of the famed Chocolate Hills. And now, the vandalism of coral reefs– living natural rock formations under the sea, which could only be reached by divers and so-called nature lovers, whose delight for the beauty and wonders of God’s creation borders from the caring to destructive activities.
It is good to appreciate nature but we must conserve it and preserve its pristine state. How do we now remove those writings on the seafloor, a manifestation of man’s selfishness and egocentricity just to be remembered or seen that they have explored the area ahead of the rest.
A photo of the Inquirer showed several names etched on the corals of the waters around the Virgin Island, a top diving spot in Bohol, that divers from the private sector, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the local governments found during an assessment held last August 31.
Authorities in Bohol have started investigating the underwater graffiti found on the reefs of Virgin Island in Panglao, a top diving spot in the province.
Representatives of the DENR, Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office, the local government of Panglao, and other reef rangers went to the site on Aug. 31, and found true earlier posts in social media by dive instructor Danilo “Don-Don” Menorias, the Inquirer said.
Menorias, founder of Bohol Divers Advocacy Cooperative, said the coral reef in the area was vandalized with such words as “Mojak,” “Min” and several other writings etched on plate corals, which are flat and round with a single mouth in its center.
Corals are the natural habitat of numerous species of fish and marine animals, who also feed on planktons and plants that grow from the corals. The corals also serve as the resting place or sleeping grounds and incubators usually of small fishes.
“Just like our pets, they (corals) have life. They give us livelihood, medicine, protection from calamity and oxygen,” lamented Monorias in his post.
The discovery of the graffiti prompted Bohol Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado to entice with P50,000 reward money anyone who could give information about the persons who vandalized the corals.
He said the provincial government would take legal actions against those responsible for the destruction of the coral reefs.
“We should protect and save coral reefs from destruction. Coral reefs support marine species,” he said.
Last year, several corals off Balicasag Island in Bohol were also vandalized, as shown in a video footage by some divers engaging in activities that threatened marine life.
Panglao island has been heralded as among the best dive sites in the country and is widely promoted by the Department of Tourism.
The reef found off Virgin Island is abundant in marine life and beautiful corals, making it a great spot for free- diving, the Inquirer reported.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a US scientific and regulatory agency engaged in among others daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, climate monitoring, fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, has emphasized the value of coral reefs.
“Coral reefs protect coastlines from storms and erosion, provide jobs for local communities, and offer opportunities for recreation,” NOAA said.