609 crown-of-thorns starfish removed from Buyayao Island reef

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Volunteers and environmental groups removed 609 crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) from the waters off Buyayao Island in the southernmost town of Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro, during a two-day reef conservation activity over the weekend. This starfish species is a natural component of coral reef ecosystems but can threaten reefs when its populations