In the 1960’s, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef suffered an attack of the crown of thorns Starfish (COTS), a massive 10- to 20-armed behemoth that devours any coral it can find, leaving behind only pathetic, white, coral-carcasses. According to researchers, even a moderate outbreak can cause severe damage. Unfortunately, it appears that Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators executive director Col McKenzie said, “These things eat their own body size in coral daily and are as big as coffee tables. When in balance they play an important role because they eat the fast growing coral and let the slow growing corals emerge but when in plague proportions, like now, they eat anything.” Researchers have recently discovered COTS over 4 feet in diameter and weighing 176 pounds. Zounds, so many pounds!
So why do COTS outbreaks occur? There are several theories: (a) outbreaks are a natural phenomenon; (b) nutrient run-offs from humans have fueled a population explosion; or (c) humans have over-fished their natural enemies. However, research has not confirmed any of these speculations. Consequently, intervention has been minimal, although injections of Sodium bisulphate appears to work. Unfortunately, each COTS must be injected individually, making this a time-consuming, expensive, prickly affair.
