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THE CROWN-OF-THORNS STARFISH: A PROBLEM
41. What can be done? There are those who have argued that we cannot wait to accumulate further scientific information on the crown-of-thorns starfish and that something should be done now. On the other hand there are those who have argued on the side of caution, suggesting that man should not actively intervene in something which is not fully understood. They fear that intervention will cause permanent and irreparable changes to our coral reef systems. There are no rights or wrongs in this issue, rather only many unknowns. No one person can definitively say which of the two actions above is correct. Arguments in support of either are based on inadequate knowledge. Frequently, the proponents of either view are moved as much by emotion as by clear objective thinking. If it was decided (by Governments) that something apart from research should be done, what options are there? It would seem that the only action open to managers is to control the starfish in some way. But how? Should we go ahead and implement large scale control programs on the Great Barrier Reef knowing full well that this type of approach has been unsuccessful in Japan? Could we hope to do a better job on the Great Barrier Reef? In some areas perhaps (given the benefits of hindsight), but overall this is unlikely. The implementation of large-scale control programs on the Great Barrier Reef is far more difficult because it is so much larger, more complex in structure and comprises many more reefs. Furthermore, the unpredictability of the weather and the remoteness of many reefs would ensure that control exercises could not be initiated on all reefs at the most appropriate times. A combination of any or all of these factors may result in the incomplete removal of starfish from reefs. Problems of this sort have been experienced in Japan (where significant numbers of starfish still remained after the control exercise) and are thought to have lead to a chronic situation in that country. The costs associated with undertaking large-scale control programs on the Great Barrier Reef are likely to be enormous, probably involving many millions of dollars (even using volunteers!). An indication of the funds required can be gained when one considers that a recent control program conducted by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority cost about $54,000. This program used volunteer Navy divers and succeeded in killing about 3,100 starfish in a small area (about 0.5 sq km). Given the logistic difficulties raised above, the present financial climate in Australia, and the urgent need for funds in other sectors of the community it is perhaps unwise that public monies be spent on undertaking control programs whose success are by no means guaranteed. In summary, it would appear that there is not much else that can be done at present other than undertaking further research and conducting small-scale control programs on reefs which are of particular importance (eg. as a tourist facility). Whilst the research activities currently being undertaken are not likely to have an immediate impact on the present situation they will, in the long term, enable informed management decisions to be undertaken.
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