The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has appealed for more technical experts and scuba divers to help remove destructive crown of thorns (COT) starfish that is infesting the waters of Culasi, Antique. One of the largest in the world, COT prey on hard or stony coral polyps. A group of divers was supposed to conduct a COT cleanup on July 16 but the activity was postponed due to bad weather, said Director Remia Aparri of BFAR Region 6. There is an outbreak of COT in Culasi, a first in Western Visayas, according to Aparri. The local government has declared a state of calamity.

Tayona, G. (2019, July 20). Corals in danger: BFAR struggling to cope with starfish 'invasion'. Panay News, pp. 1, 10.