Sampulna

BFAR to determine ‘jellyfish’ species in Boracay

May 16, 2022 Cory Martinez 331 views

SAMPLES of jellyfish found ashore on the whole stretch of White Beach in Boracay last Saturday were taken for laboratory testing to determine their species.

Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Director Evelyn Abad of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Aklan Provincial Fisheries Office said the jellyfish were small and appeared to be newborn jellyfish.

The BFAR has also advised the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in Region 6 to get samples in case of a recurrence and note the time these were observed.

According to the Boracay Inter-Agency Rehabilitation and Management Group (BIARMG), the presence of jellyfish in the whole stretch of White Beach was reported at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 14.

By 5:00 p.m., the jellyfishes have washed away, and no recurrence was observed on Sunday morning.

According to the initial assessment of BFAR Aklan, the jellyfish is a natural occurrence in the coastal areas of the province from May to September and is dependent on the direction of the wind.

Meanwhile, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Acting Secretary Jim O. Sampulna said the BIARMG has coordinated with the BFAR Aklan regarding the incident.

“The safety of the public is our primary concern. We want to assure the locals and the tourists that the DENR, as chair of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force, is closely working with the BFAR as part of our responsibility in the rehabilitation of the island,” Sampulna said.

BIARMG General Manager Martin Despi said thumb-sized jellyfish were seen in all three stations of the White Beach, particularly in the waters and on the beach area, and in Angol and Diniwid, but these were washed out in the late afternoon.

“Yesterday (Saturday), the wind direction was southwest or ‘habagat’ towards the White Beach. This caused the jellyfish to accumulate in the beach area,” said Despi.

As of Sunday morning, May 15, Abad said that the team they sent reported that the White Beach, from stations 1 to 3, is clear of jellyfish and has almost no trace of Saturday’s incident.

Despi, on the other hand, added that the lifeguards have advised tourists not to swim in the affected area should there be a recurrence. By Cory Martinez

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