By PR | 06:28 PM April 06, 2024
The increasing heat index poses a dual threat to humans and marine life as sea water temperatures continue to rise.
Responding to this challenge, the provincial government of Bohol, in collaboration with the Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office (BPEMO), has intensified its annual underwater assessment and giant clams monitoring program this Thursday and Friday.
This conservation initiative gets a strong support from the administration of Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado and Vice Gov. Dionisio Victor Balite, paving the way for a sustainable future where Bohol residents can rely on ample food resources from their marine environments.
Despite the intense sunrays, divers from BPEMO, PDRRMO, CENRO-Talibon, and BFAR bravely ventured into the waters of Mabini at the Lumayag Marine Protected Area (MPA), supported by CGSS-Mabini and LGU Mabini.
Registering a water temperature of 28 degrees Celsius, the team encountered a diverse marine life including a school of Barracuda, Solid fish (dalagang bukid), and Scaridae (mol2x).
Fifteen robust giant clams, seeded at the Lumayag MPA, are thriving and playing a crucial role in preserving the balance of marine biodiversity.
Meanwhile, in Anda, Friday morning’s dive yielded a successful recording of a 29.7 degrees Celsius water temperature along with an abundance of local fishes such as pata, mol2x, and labayan.
The team also carried out essential maintenance work on cultured giant clams, vital for their health, longevity, and their role in marine ecosystems. Cleaning these giant clams removes parasites, pests, and predators while preventing shell damage and controlling fouling organisms like barnacles, algae, and other small organisms that can attach themselves to the clam’s shell.
Left unchecked, these organisms can impede the clam’s ability to feed and grow.
Tridacna gigas, a protected species in the Philippines, stands as a vital component in coral reef ecosystems, providing food, shelter, and contributing to the sustainability of fish populations. (PIMO/ML)
