[1] It is bordered by the islands of Samar to the east, Leyte to the south, Masbate to the west, and Luzon to the north.

The Samar Sea has experienced a significant degradation of marine resources, that is even characterized as "ecocide".

Having depleted the large predatory fish, fishermen turned to smaller species, allowing jellyfish populations to explode.

[2] Deforestation of surrounding lands has led to increased silt from denuded mountains that choke coral reefs.

Another result of the increased silt are red tides, causing paralytic shellfish poisonings.