Understanding the Boracay Algae Problem - With a Simple Solution
Who doesn’t know about the Boracay algae or lumot problem?
Everybody is aware that Boracay Island is globally recognized for its adjective-filled (say, breathtaking? gorgeous?) description of its white sand beaches, crystalline waters, and picturesque landscapes. But amidst its natural splendor, there exists a recurring natural phenomenon that captivates (make it scratching the heads of) both locals and visitors—the yearly emergence of green algae.
The situation become so bad that you may find yourself swimming in a two-feet deep, dense algae when you go jump into the water. But for every complex problem, there should be a simple solution. The first thing we should do is to fully understand the problem first.
Let’s try to appreciate the science and social things on the aspects of the annual green algae bloom in Boracay Island, its ecological significance, and (my) proposed sustainable solutions to mitigate its adverse effects to the tourism industry in the Philippines.
After checking this article, you may want to know more about Boracay by reading the general info about the island. You check it out through this LINK.
Understanding Green Algae
To comprehend the annual occurrence of green algae in Boracay, let’s go back to either grade 4 or second year high school (Grade 8) lectures on biology. Green algae, a diverse group of photosynthetic organisms, play a pivotal role in aquatic ecosystems. They encompass a wide range of species, from microscopic unicellular algae to larger multicellular forms. Green algae serve as primary producers, utilizing sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds, releasing oxygen into the environment, and forming the base of the food web.
Factors Influencing Algal Blooms
The annual green algae bloom in Boracay Island is influenced by several interconnected factors.
Weather and calm waters - The summer months is the best season to visit Boracay Island. Unfortunately, that is also the usual blooming season for the green algae in the prime real estate called the White Beach. Summer season means longer daytime hours, which means prolonged opportunity for photosynthesis, which means more happy hour for the green algae. Calm waters mean the seawater getting steadily bombarded by sunlight and the heat not dissipated by waves, which adds to the condition where the warm water becomes ideal for the green algae partee parteh. Also the calm waters significantly slows down the spillage of the inner waters to the open sea making the algae into almost sedentary residents of the white beach water zone.
Excessive nutrient inputs, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, originating from sources such as untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, and aquaculture activities, fuel the rapid growth of algae. Yup, they are all true. But unfortunately and for at least three decades of half-story telling, most past statements stop at this point. Because beyond this point, the story can drastically change, which can affect the credibility of the ones telling only the first half of the story.
A major source of algal bloom are the algae themselves. You see, when the conditions for blooming are present, the algae really bloom. But what happens to a flower that blooms? It eventually dies. And like that flower, the algae also die, they become part of the nutrient load which then feeds more blooming algae in the calm and warm waters of the white beach part of Boracay. That, my friends is the complete narrative of the algae bloom. To put it in one sentence - the algae itself is a major source of subsequent algal blooms. We should not stop at human, animal, kitchen waste, and sunblock as the only causes of the Boracay algae.
Ecological Impact of Algal Blooms
There have a been a lot of strong scientific and unfortunately, also flimsy justifications why we should look at the green algae bloom in a positive manner. That algal blooms can provide food and habitat for various organisms, attracting small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. However, excessive algal growth can deplete oxygen levels, leading to hypoxic conditions and potentially causing harm to marine life. Fortunately, the period of calm waters lasts only for a few months and hypoxia almost never happens in Boracay. I actually do not have any info of documented hypoxia in Boracay (send me the link if you have one!). However (which fortunately does not also have any documented case that I am aware of), harmful algal species can produce toxins that adversely affect other organisms and pose risks to human health. You can call one toxic cousin of the green algae as the Blue-green algae. And you can ask any marine biology expert the whats and the whys of associating the green and the blue-green algae.
Exploring Sustainable Solutions
To address the annual green algae phenomenon in Boracay Island, proactive measures and sustainable solutions are crucial. Implementing robust waste management systems, including effective sewage treatment and recycling practices, can significantly reduce nutrient inputs into coastal waters. Additionally, implementing best management practices in agriculture and aquaculture, such as nutrient management strategies and responsible farming techniques, can minimize nutrient runoff. Integrating constructed wetlands and vegetative buffers can also serve as natural filters, capturing excess nutrients and reducing their impact on marine ecosystems. But!…. these are all motherhood statements! Any ecology book, char-gpt (not typo) or a hard-core science person can spew these out in a milli-second.
To make myself clear, those motherhood statements do work and should be pursued in all the coastal areas and small islands. However, Boracay is different. Ninety nine percent of its economy is rooted in the tourism sector. And that sector does not like the algae bloom. That algae degrades the tourism quality of the white beach, which is the major come-on of the island. The 1,000-hectare island that contributes about 1% to the GDP. Exploring sustainable solutions is finding out ways to minimize the volume of the algae and not being an apologist for it or pointing out the fingers to everybody else who makes money out of tourism.
Papalapit na tayo sa exciting part!
But first, we deal with these two recommendations first.
Integrated Monitoring and Research Programs
To effectively manage and mitigate the green algae bloom, continuous monitoring and research are essential. Implementing comprehensive monitoring programs to track nutrient levels, water quality parameters, and algal blooms can provide valuable data for decision-making processes. Additionally, investing in research initiatives focused on understanding the specific dynamics of algal blooms in Boracay Island will facilitate the development of targeted strategies and interventions. I believe this is being done on an institutional level. I just don’t have an idea how regular or dedicated they are in providing resources to continuously implement this. I witnessed the data collection in the early days (the ‘90s) of truly understanding and managing the island. Somebody would fly in to Boracay, collect water samples at different points, and make sure that the samples are flown out to a laboratory in Metro Manila for evaluation before they become stale and useless. I would like to believe that there is already a lab on the island or at least in the mainland of Aklan.
You can also read other stuff on Boracay in my other blog post.
Community Engagement and Education
Community engagement and education play a vital role in fostering sustainable practices and raising awareness of the ecological importance of the green algae phenomenon. Make it real education and not some juju magic that desperately try to convince everybody that the decomposing filamentous algae turn into sand. Establishing educational programs targeting tourists, residents, and local businesses can promote responsible tourism practices, such as proper waste disposal, eco-friendly recreational activities, and adherence to sustainable fishing practices. Encouraging community participation in environmental initiatives and providing platforms for knowledge exchange can strengthen conservation efforts — like convincing every household (and not just the tourist establishments) to be connected to the sewage system and not constantly pray that they don’t get to be visited by the sanidad of the LGU.
My Proposed Solution to Manage the Boracay Algae Problem
This will be very controversial. The kind that no scientist would dare even discuss because it might affect their credibility. Or they may be accused of embracing commercialism over pure scientific endeavor. I’m… joking! Well, sort of…
Actually, the solution is very simple. And the whole concept is to manage, not get rid of the algae. Because there is no way to totally get rid of this regular event. But we can definitely manage them to the degree that the algae does not degrade the tourism value of the destination.
It’s called… algae relocation.
Let’s not beat around the bush. Re-read the paragraphs above if you have to so you can easily grasp the idea or the reasons for each step.
A collecting boat (imagine it to be a floating dump truck) goes out to collect as much algae at a particular time (remember that decomposed algae becomes the nutrient for another algal bloom).
The collected algae will NOT be deposited inland or any landform. The salt content of the algae will leach into the groundwater level which will then add to the salinity of the fresh (or whatever is left of it) groundwater. The decomposed algae will go back to the sea when rains occur.
The collected algae will instead be RELOCATED beyond the spillage point (or in the open sea) far enough from the white beach so that they cannot be returned back by the waves to their origin. At this point, the algae can happily fulfill their ecological purpose - that is to provide food and habitat for various organisms, attracting small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. Who can argue with that?
Every tourist pays a certain amount that is supposed to be allocated to protect the environment and sustainable development of Boracay Island. This could be a good way to put the money to achieve that objective. Of course, there are other environmental and social issues that Boracay is drowning in. But for this, let’s keep our eyes on the ball - that this particular issue is a real and festering problem, and that there are solutions for it. And it does not solve the entire problem, but can significantly add up to the solutions to manage the issue.
Actually, I have been trying to present this idea for more than 20 years. There was a time when I was presenting this as a possible project when a policy maker told me that they were already doing the algae solutions and literally cut me off mid-sentence. But let’s not do any prequel drama over here. Let’s just say, I don’t care anymore how I can get branded by throwing this idea in the wind. In fact, I would be very happy if somebody would say that I am too late and that they have been implementing this since yesterday.
Sometimes, the most complex problems only require the most practical solutions. And this could be one of those needed solutions.
Conclusion
By doing this algae relocation program, it will be a win-win-win scenario. A win for the tourism industry, a win for the the tens of thousands who rely on Boracay for their financial security, and a win for the marine organisms in the open sea that will get some nutrient and food windfall that is organic, natural, and non-toxic. We can assume that this is one of the most benign environmental interventions to solve the green algae or lumot problem in Boracay.
