CROWN OF THORNS STARFISH CONTROL
Crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS for short) feed on coral. These spiky marine creatures occur naturally on reefs in the Indo Pacific region, including the Great Barrier Reef.
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In normal numbers on healthy coral reefs, COTS are an important part of the ecosystem. They tend to eat the faster growing corals which gives the slower growing species a chance to catch up, enhancing the coral diversity of our reefs.
However, when the coral-eating starfish appear in outbreak proportions, the impact on coral reefs can be disastrous.
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As part of the Tourism Industry Activation and Reef Protection Initiative, Red Cat Adventures has been awarded a permit to help eradicate any COTS that are found while doing the Reef Health Impact Surveys.
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DID YOU KNOW?
COTS are nocturnal by nature, and they can move at speeds of up to 20 metres an hour!
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COTS prey on nearly all corals, and can eat their way through 10 square metres of it a year.
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The COTS spikes or spines contain toxins that are poisonous to both humans and marine creatures.
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It’s the world’s second largest starfish, reaching up to 1m!
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They eat their coral prey by extruding their stomachs out from their bodies, covering the corals.
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Like most starfish, if it loses one of its arms, a COTS can regrow a new one in around six months.
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An adult Crown of Thorns Starfish can live up to 9 months without eating!
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Master Reef Guide Cam Butler with the Crown of Thorns Starfish removed on a recent Reef Health Impact Survey trip
Above: Image courtesy of Living Oceans Foundation