Ah, Boracay — famous for white-sand resorts, breathtaking sunsets, thriving nightlife… and mats of slimy green algae?
The beloved tourist spot is now partially covered with green algae, which according to scientists, is a telltale sign that the waters are heavily polluted.
According to GMA News’ Chino Gaston, tourists who had planned to swim and relax in the island’s crystal-clear waters ended up disappointed with the slimy beach, which must have been degraded by tourism-related activities and the release of untreated waste water into the sea.
Residents say the algae eventually disappears during the summer months. pic.twitter.com/c6FbicjKPA
— Chino Gaston (@chinogaston) March 5, 2017
The continually increasing algae bloom is the result of the lack of waste treatment facilities on the island.
“Untreated water serves as fertilizers for algae,” says the GMA News report.
“I expected to see green or blue waters, but I was surprised with all the algae. It was my first time here but I only swam a few once. I didn’t go back (to swim). I think the water is polluted,” said a female tourist.
Residents of Boracay said that algae usually appears in the first quarter of the year, but they disappear by summer time.
“In 2014, monitoring by the Environmental Management Bureau 6-B showed that the coliform level was high in some parts of Boracay, although this has not yet reached the critical level at that time.”
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