Novel methods for crown-of-thorns starfish management to contain emerging outbreaks in the Lizard Island region

Co Investigator

Population irruptions of crown-of-thorns starfish (CoTS) are a major cause of coral mortality on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), contributing to ongoing reef degradation. There is, therefore, a concerted effort to manage CoTS on the GBR, but established surveillance and culling activities are largely ineffective for dealing with relatively low densities of CoTS. This project will pioneer novel culling methods to contain emerging population outbreaks of CoTS in the Lizard Island region. This research will not only directly contribute to improved management of the GBR, but will be conducted alongside existing CoTS management programs to maximize application and uptake of proposed methods.

15 Jan 2025 - 31 Mar 2026

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