Outbreaks of coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) are responsible for substantial losses of live coral cover on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). They are also one of the few threats to the Reef that is amenable to direct intervention. Few insights were available to inform efforts to control crown-of-thorns starfish when the current outbreak on the GBR started in 2010, despite decades of research. One of the most urgent end-user needs identified at the commencement of the NESP TWQ Hub was more efficient and effective control of this pest – and live coral saved – for the resources available. In a world-first, experts in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) were brought in and designed a $2.4 million program of targeted applied research coordinated through NESP TWQ and led by CSIRO, in which collaborating researchers investigated improvements to new technologies and strategies for control. The IPM approach aims to deliver the most efficient and effective control of the pest – and live coral saved - for the resources available, and enables control programs to evolve in efficiency and effectiveness over time as knowledge gaps are filled and tools are developed.
The Rapid transfer of the new strategies to the end-user-led control program meant that by mid-2019 in-water crews implementing the research results had successfully reduced many high-priority reefs to “no-outbreak” status – an ecological threshold at which coral growth can outpace starfish predation. This capacity to almost immediately operationalise cutting-edge science – achieving real-world impact even before the research project is completed – has been a strong feature of the NESP TWQ Hub. Continuous improvement in control methods and strategies informed by ongoing targeted research will enable ongoing, positive impact on live coral cover on the GBR.
The COTS control program also includes one of the most successful youth employment programs ever delivered through the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work program, with 85% of more than 230 young trainees (to date) now in full time employment, most in marine and tourism industries. Over 50% of the trainees are Indigenous, so this program is not only helping to improve coral cover through COTS control, but is changing lives in far north Queensland Indigenous communities. Current NESP TWQ Hub research is examining the training, employment and social development outcomes of these trainees through this program.
“Getting involved in the (COTS Control) program was definitely a life-changing decision for me. It’s enabled me to gain these skills and access opportunities that I don’t think I would have ever had the chance to otherwise. I’m really glad I did it, I think it’s a great program.”
Ms Kaletta Savage, COTS trainee and now divemaster
Kaletta Savage from Mua Island in the Torres Strait is now employed full-time as a divemaster and coxswain in the highly skilled and competitive reef tourism industry. Photo: Boyd Robertson
“The NESP IPM research is integral in terms of helping us ensure the program is successful and continues to be successful into the future. IPM principles are critical to guiding [decisions on] all the vessels.”
Mr Darren Cameron, GBRMPA Director of Reef Interventions
Outbreaks of coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) are responsible for substantial losses of live coral cover on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). They are also one of the few threats to the Reef that is amenable to direct intervention. Few insights were available to inform efforts to control crown-of-thorns starfish when the current outbreak on the GBR started in 2010, despite decades of research. One of the most urgent end-user needs identified at the commencement of the NESP TWQ Hub was more efficient and effective control of this pest – and live coral saved – for the resources available. In a world-first, experts in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) were brought in and designed a $2.4 million program of targeted applied research coordinated through NESP TWQ and led by CSIRO, in which collaborating researchers investigated improvements to new technologies and strategies for control. The IPM approach aims to deliver the most efficient and effective control of the pest – and live coral saved - for the resources available, and enables control programs to evolve in efficiency and effectiveness over time as knowledge gaps are filled and tools are developed.
The Rapid transfer of the new strategies to the end-user-led control program meant that by mid-2019 in-water crews implementing the research results had successfully reduced many high-priority reefs to “no-outbreak” status – an ecological threshold at which coral growth can outpace starfish predation. This capacity to almost immediately operationalise cutting-edge science – achieving real-world impact even before the research project is completed – has been a strong feature of the NESP TWQ Hub. Continuous improvement in control methods and strategies informed by ongoing targeted research will enable ongoing, positive impact on live coral cover on the GBR.
The COTS control program also includes one of the most successful youth employment programs ever delivered through the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work program, with 85% of more than 230 young trainees (to date) now in full time employment, most in marine and tourism industries. Over 50% of the trainees are Indigenous, so this program is not only helping to improve coral cover through COTS control, but is changing lives in far north Queensland Indigenous communities. Current NESP TWQ Hub research is examining the training, employment and social development outcomes of these trainees through this program.
“The NESP IPM research is integral in terms of helping us ensure the program is successful and continues to be successful into the future. IPM principles are critical to guiding [decisions on] all the vessels.”
Mr Darren Cameron, GBRMPA Director of Reef Interventions
Kaletta Savage from Mua Island in the Torres Strait is now employed full-time as a divemaster and coxswain in the highly skilled and competitive reef tourism industry. Photo: Boyd Robertson
“Getting involved in the (COTS Control) program was definitely a life-changing decision for me. It’s enabled me to gain these skills and access opportunities that I don’t think I would have ever had the chance to otherwise. I’m really glad I did it, I think it’s a great program.”
Ms Kaletta Savage, COTS trainee and now divemaster