A population of coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish was found in the reefs of Boracay Island. But the aquaculture research center here said there was no cause for alarm. The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center said dive shop operators had arrested the spread of the cron-of-thorns (Acanthaster planci) in the island. Seafdec researcher Luis Maria Garcia said a survey conducted in April showed a concentration of crown-of-thorns in Balinghai and Angol Reefs in the northwest and southwest side of the island.

Lujan, N. C. (1999, September 2). Coral-eating starfish infest Boracay waters. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. 12.