Starfish-fighting fleet on the horizon

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. 

 


Ausmarine

Published since 1978, Ausmarine is the foremost magazine servicing the Australian and New Zealand commercial, military and government marine sectors.