Crown
of thorns starfish infestations in Bootless Bay, PNG
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Crown
of thorns starfish infestations in Bootless Bay, PNG
Funding Organisation: In-house with some assistance from the PNG Department of Environment and Conservation
Funds Awarded: 3,000 Kina
Partners: Loloata Island Resort, James Cook University
Duration: October 2005 – ongoing
In late 2005, a major infestation of crown of thorns (COT) starfish was noticed in Bootless Bay. Since then over 10,000 specimens have been removed and destroyed. This initial effort involved the Loloata Island Resort and The Diving Centre. Loloata Island Resort continues to spearhead this eradication drive at popular diving sites (through collection and in-situ poisoning).
MIRC is currently monitoring occurrence and size of COT at 2 sites in Bootless Bay, whilst also collating information on Loloata Island Resort's eradication efforts. It is hoped that both sets of data will provide insight into the dynamics of the infestation. James Cook University has also assisted with monitoring.
Publications
Baine, M.S.P (in press). The first published record of a major outbreak of
crown-of-thorns starfish in Bootless Bay, Central Province, Papua New Guinea.
Coral Reefs.
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