Snail infestation in Tagbon Reef alarming — DENR official

The increase in the number of drupella or sea snail has endangered the existence of the Tagbon reef which is located in Barangay Puro in Albay Gulf, according to the report of Mav Gonzales on Saksi.

The snail infestation is a threat to food security in the region and marine biodiversity conservation as the coral reefs are the natural habitat of various types of fish and other marine animals.

The situation is considered a cause for alarm that several government agencies, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 5 are working together to get rid of the pest.

"They were able to ollect parang four sacks of drupella, so nakaka alarm siya because alam natin na ang drupella, ang pagkain niya ay 'yung mga corals," said Ma. Rosa Vida C. Onrubia, DENR 5's Coastal Resource Foreshore Management section chief.

"City of Legazpi, is very in depth dun sa kanilang alarming state ng drupella infestation," she added.

Onrubia said the snails will have to be taken out manually by scuba divers.

"'Yung mga drupella species 'pag nagkaroon na ng outbreak ay sisirain niya talaga 'yung buong coral reef and at the same time 'yung food security ng tao is also affected. So 'yun ang magiging impact niya," she added.

Onrubia said the snail infestation at the Tagbon Reef was triggered by changes in temperature, salinity of the water, diving or ecotourism, fishing, and siltation.

Authorities are also appealing to the public to stop throwing garbage into the sea, a practice that contributes to the destruction to the marine environment. — BAP, GMA News