The number of vessels combating coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish on the Great Barrier Reef is set to triple, following an additional $10.4 million government contribution to the program.
Negotiations are underway between the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and five contractors to significantly increase the authority's crown-of-thorns control program.
Once contracts are signed, work will start on modifying vessels, training crew and mapping out vessel trips to cull the coral-eating starfish.
The two existing long-term control program vessels managed by the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre will continue their culling and surveillance work.
