Ecosystem Threats: Crown of Thorns Starfish

*image is from http://www.scienceinpublic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/image78.jpg

The idea for todays blog post stems from a few words exchanged during my day today. I made some simple comments and someone responded with a question. Since then I havent been ready to let it slip by without a post. These things are awful.

We (me and two others) were sitting on a bench, staring at the sea. There was a brief mention of swell and sharks. All I said was 'there hasnt been much to fish for years. Fishing hasn't been good' and mentioned a previous conenction to a fishing club. In return. I was asked why I thought that was. I pointed to some boats out at sea and mumbled something about not being allowed to drop a line in the ocean but you were allowed to drag a net. I was then asked deeper, is that why I think there isnt much catch? 'Yes and ...' I then suddenly mentioned what I remembered about the Crown of Thorn Star Fish and began rambling like I saw the documentary only yesterday and like it was a big deal.

It is a big deal. I've now refreshed my memory on the subject. Without going too in depth, hows about I ramble on at least a little bit longer?

The Crown of Thorns Starfish ravages reefs, it rapidly grows back its limbs when damaged and is heavily armoured with thorns. Only a small number of (sea) animals would ever dare it eat, usually preferring not to and its venomous spines cause even humans great grief in the eradication or control process. This starfish is the greatest threat to our reefs and ecosystems. Please view the video.

According to the Australian Government, in 2012 this starfish was one of two major leading causes of coral loss over the last two years.

This starfish just liquifies the coral and then digests it in a matter of hours. All Reefs are under threat but particularly the Great Barrier Reef, off the eastern coast of Australia. Check this video. Sorry about the accent, mate.

Pretty sinister. These things are multiplying like crazy and the best way to remove them is one by one, although chemical injection is applied to small populations. You can imagine that might be taking too long. It isnt happening fast enough. They are still taking over. The Great Barrier Reef is being eaten away. Tourism is the least of our problems with this starfish. Coral species may not repopulate and they love the warm tropical waters.

If you don't have coral you dont have a reef. Without a reef the fish populace reduces or simply go somewhere else. It's like watching a beautiful part of the world die ever so slowly. Now I'm not saying this is the huge change that has any connection to increased shark on human activity but I cant help but wonder.... how far does the impact go. Are we going to be able to catch up? Can we save the reef?

I hope so.

-Mez

Links

from ABC: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-06/barrier-reef-under-threat-from-new-starfish-tsunami/5074118

from BBC:http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Crown-of-thorns_starfish

Australian Institute of Marine Science: http://www.aims.gov.au/docs/research/biodiversity-ecology/threats/cots.html

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/about-the-reef/animals/crown-of-thorns-starfish/about-outbreaks

Standford University : http://web.stanford.edu/group/microdocs/crownofthorns.html