Could this REALLY be true?

[Hemlon]

One of my co-workers told me that he heard Australia (or an organization within) is paying experienced divers to travel to Australia in order to help eradicate the Crown-of-Thorns starfish.

Granted, this co-worker is historically full of crap. He's the kind of guy who knows everything about ANY subject.

Given that, is there any chance that this is true? Would someone pay my travel expenses to help wipe out these nasty little reef predators?

 

[cinder4320]

I'm skeptical like you. I did find this though back from 2005.

"Saving reef from starfish

SYDNEY, Australia — Tourism operators will be paid to kill giant coral-chomping starfish on the Great Barrier Reef in a move to protect its fragile ecosystem, the Australian government has announced. Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell said a $440,000 grant would fund a two-year program to eradicate crown-of-thorns starfish from some of the reef's most popular patches of coral. The Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators will be in charge of the program to remove the spiny starfish — which can measure nearly 3 feet in diameter — from the reef. Vindy.com - Advice on where to find your place in the sun your place in the sun "

 

[almitywife]

but but but... my GBR instructor said it was a speciality and i paid $325 for the C-o-T cert card!!!



as above, there are grants out there but generally ive found DM's remove them

cheers

 

[Hemlon]

Just as I suspected...

Thanks to you both!

 

[Andrew Jones]

Currently there is a programme, payment for spotting and identifying sharks at the Northern Reefs.Up to $1300 a shark. I have read press releases on this subject from only a couple of weeks ago. My understanding is limited but lets go 4 it!!!!

Almighty... maybe u can find out if there is a STS ( spot the shark ) certification we need and lets buy a boat, give up the day jobs and make some pocket money.

Regarding the C o T, most Tour Operators now protect their reef sites in conjunction with the Great Barrier Marine Park Authority. The plaque proportions that devastated area's like sections of Moore Reef 5 years ago are now all but gone.

The damage has been done.... good news is Crown of Thorns only eat fast growing coral, and like gardens everything fights for light. Now the slow growing stuff has time to grow.... just give it 100 years and we will never know that it happened.

Note: For any Marine Scientist reading this.... this is my belief only and if im wrong please keep it to yourself. Hardy - Har Har

Have a great day all..... Andy

 

[drbill]

I didn't realize COTs only ate fast growing corals... ah, the wonderful (im)balance of nature! I remember when I was in Cairns back in 2001, I attended Paddy Colwell's Reef Teach program. I asked him about the cobalt blue COTs I had seen diving in Thailand. Since then I've seen another COT in the Sea of Cortez (it seems to be in balance with the ecoststem there).