A Cebu-based vlogger is stepping up to protect Badian’s coral reefs from the rapid spread of crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS), using an unconventional yet effective method: coconut vinegar injections. Bonifacio Jomio, who frequently dives in the coastal town, encounters more than 50 COTS a day—an alarming sign of a potential outbreak.
COTS, or Acanthaster planci, are large, spiny starfish with venomous arms covered in saponins. While they contribute to maintaining coral diversity, their populations can explode, allowing them to consume coral much faster than reefs can recover. One female COTS can release millions of eggs, and their natural predators, like the giant triton snail, are now increasingly scarce.
“Kapag outbreak po nila, posibleng mamamatay lahat po ng corals,” Jomio warned, emphasizing what’s at stake.
Coconut Vinegar Injection: A Low-Cost, Eco-Safe Solution
Armed with a syringe filled with tuba or coconut vinegar, Jomio injects each starfish he encounters. The solution causes the starfish to weaken and die gradually without posing harm to other marine organisms, a method inspired by similar conservation efforts he saw online.
“Hindi po siya mamamatay agad-agad. Unti-unti po siyang mananamlay,” he explained.
Marine expert Glennville Castrence of Mindanao State University–General Santos confirmed the technique’s effectiveness. “May mga studies… na very effective ’yung ating mga vinegar. Sa mga trials, hindi talaga sila nagko-cause ng harm sa other marine organisms,” he said. Castrence noted that handling COTS is risky; their venomous spines can cause severe swelling and intense pain.
Community Support Grows as Coral Damage Becomes Visible
Jomio has already noticed parts of Badian’s reefs turning white, a worrying sign of coral stress and decline. This pushed him to act quickly, knowing that an unchecked outbreak could devastate the ecosystem. “Pag may outbreak, mas madami ‘yung kinakain nila na mga corals kaysa nilalaki ng mga corals natin,” Castrence added.
Residents have since expressed their appreciation for Jomio’s efforts, with some donating essential supplies to help him continue his daily dives. His initiative not only raises awareness of the COTS threat but also highlights how simple, science-backed solutions like coconut vinegar can empower communities to protect their marine environments.
Through determination, local knowledge, and a bottle of coconut vinegar, this Cebu vlogger is proving that ordinary citizens can make an extraordinary impact on saving the country’s precious coral reefs.
