Aquatic Resources

2. I. Introduction
 Corals are classified as cnidarians under Class
Anthozoa, and are predominantly colonial marine
organisms. These sea anemone-like animals secrete
calcareous substance found among hard/stony coral
species.

3. A. Corals as food and habitat
 Aside from young being substrates for micro-algae,
which serve as food to young animals, corals have no
known food use to man. However, coral reefs serve as
habitat of fish youngs and sanctuary to various fish
species.
 The muro-ami method of catching fish has been found
to be destructive to coral reefs as it involves
hammering hard corals to draw out fish to the nets.

4. B. Characteristics
 Some hydrozoans, which occur in colonies mimicking
plant-like appearance, attach themselves to rocks or
debris on the sea bottom. The skeletal framework of
the corals are horny and the others are largely
composed of calcium carbonate (lime) as seen on the
hard or stony coral species. The skeleton of some hard
corals forms coral reefs, atolls, and islets.

5. Atoll

6. Islets

7. C. Corals in the Philippines
 Among the common corals found in the Philippine
marine waters are brain coral (Maendra cerebrum),
mushroom coral (Fungia), star corals (Astrea),
staghorn coral, rock coral, organ pipe, and black corals
(branched and unbranched).

8. Symmetrical brain coral (Diploria
strigosa)

9. Mushroom coral (Ctenactis
albitentaculata)

10. Double star coral (Diploastrea
heliopora)

11. Lettuce Coral (Echinopora
pacificus)

12. Black coral (Leiopathes glaberrima)

13. D.Uses
Decoration

14. Reefs atolls and island formation

15. Personal Adornment

16. Jewelry

17. Medicine

18. E. Anthozoan and Scyphozoan
 Sea anemone belongs to Class
Anthozoa. The animal has
flower-like polyps which are
cylindrical in form with
mouth and surrounding
tentacles located at one end.
 Sea anemones are widely
distributed in the waters of
Visayas and Sulu where they
are made into decorative
items and jewelry.

19.  A jellyfish is a scyphozoan
organism. It is free-swimming
with a transparent, bell-shaped,
watery body that bears tentacles.
 Jellyfish is dried, flavored and
used for food.
 In parts of Mindanao, such as
Dipolog City, Zamboanga Del
Norte, fisherfolks eat jellyfish in
pickled form. In Catbalogan,
Western Samar, jellyfish is salted
in concrete tanks and sold as food
items in local markets.