Rare blue coral possibly endemic in Boracay

MANILA, Philippines - The presence of a rare blue coral species in Boracay surprised diving experts who said they have not seen them elsewhere in the country.

Diving veteran Jojo Rodriguez of the Sangkalikasan Producers Cooperative told a state news agency that it may be possible the the blue Acropora is endemic in Boracay.

"We had found some blue acropora. Others are a natural recruit while some are asexually reproduced," Rodriguez said. His group has partnered with the Department of Science and Technology for coral-building projects in Camiguin, Zamboanga and Subic.

The group promised to explore other diving destinations to check whether similar blue corals can be located in Boracay.

The Acropora (sp) come in various shares but most commonly takes the form of elongated branch. It is a reef-building coral that tend to form large structures, while requiring high lighting levels and high water flow.

Rodriguez said the cooperative will also rehabilitate damaged coral reefs in Zamboanga, where the tourism sector has suffered after the crisis earlier this year when Moro rebels took siege of its city and coastal towns.

"Prior to the crisis, Zamboanga had a growth rate of 12 percent --the highest in the Philippines," Rodriguez said, vowing to assist in reviving the diving industry in the region.