Episode 5: The AMPTO Crown Of Thorns Starfish (COTS) Program - a podcast by Greg Vinall, Wet Tropics Healthy Waterways Partnership

The Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS) is a natural predator of coral on the Great Barrier Reef and is thought to have been present in low numbers for thousands of years. As a result of human induced influxes such as nutrient loading and fishing pressure COTS "blooms" have become a threat to coral health.

The Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO) have run a COTS management program on reefs of key tourism and/or conservation value for over two decades. The program has demonstrated that COTS control is a useful tool for localised COTS management.

A side benefit of the COTS program has been the creation of training and employment opportunities for youths in the Wet Tropics Region, with participants enjoying an 85% employment rate on completion of the program.

Further episodes of Reef And Rivers Podcast

Further podcasts by Greg Vinall, Wet Tropics Healthy Waterways Partnership

Website of Greg Vinall, Wet Tropics Healthy Waterways Partnership