Reef scientists have a new strategy in a campaign to retard the
spread and impact of the crown-of-thorns starfish on the Great Barrier
Reef.
Researchers from the AIMS Great Barrier Reef Long-term Monitoring
Team will conduct special surveys of COTS populations on reefs in the
source area, north of Cairns to Cooktown, to provide an early warning
of another noxious wave of the coral eating pest.
The COTS Alert programme is one of the projects to be funded under
the new Marine and Tropical Science Research Facility (MTSRF) funding
regime which has granted $1.2 million for AIMS to continue its
invaluable reef research. The Australian Minister for the Environment
and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, announced the $40 million funding
for MTSRF last week.
"This is an important step towards a better understanding of the
many environmental challenges facing the Great Barrier Reef, the
Torres Strait and our tropical rainforests including the Wet Tropics
World Heritage Area, " Senator Campbell said.
"The Marine and Tropical Science Research Facility promises to
ensure our future generations will be able to experience the majesty
of Queensland’s natural environment," said Mr Peter Lindsay, Federal
Member for Herbert.
AIMS CEO Dr Ian Poiner said the projects funded focus on the
long-term health of the GBR and address key environmental risks such
as climate change and water quality.
He said the purpose of "COTS Alert" is to provide early warning of
another decade-long series of outbreaks and provide the opportunity
for more focused control of these pest populations at their source.
"Given that the last primary outbreaks were generated from this
area around 16 years ago it is considered timely to institute an early
warning system for a new wave of outbreaks.
"As the last two were separated by a similar time interval history
suggests we are due for another round with this menace. This early
warning will be of particular interest to the marine park tourism
industry which will be able to prepare tactical responses," Dr Poiner
said.
The surveys will identify the build up in adult densities as they
reach the level required to spawn the secondary outbreaks that then
cascade to other reefs both north and south of this region he said.
The MTSRF funding has provided the means for a number of other
projects to proceed including a program to measure the impact of the
GBR Zoning Plan upon reef biodiversity. Part of this project will
examine the potential for community based monitoring of tourism
intensive sites in order to foster the concept of local environmental
stewardship.
Funding will also help progress the sponge aquaculture project in
the Torres Strait. With growing international demand for natural bath
sponges, there is potential for a commercial venture larger than
cottage industry size. In collaboration with the Torres Strait
regional Authority and the Yorke Island Council AIMS will examine
environmental sustainability of a new commercial venture including
general habitat risk from pollution, disease, invasions or
sedimentation.
Dr Poiner said vital research into indicators of reef health and
pollutant thresholds significant to water quality will also be
advanced under the new funding regime. The scientific underpinning for
a new reef health Report Card system will be established.
