CROWN-OF-THORNS RESEARCH A HIGH PRIORITY

The Cooperative Research Centre for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area confirmed that research on the crown-of-thorns starfish continues to be a high priority.

"The current outbreak of crown-of-thorns on the Great Barrier Reef is probably the worst we have seen," said Dr Russell Reichelt, CEO of CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd. "The Board of the CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd met last week to assess our priorities for research and crown-of-thorns starfish was very high on the list."

"We need to ensure that the significant government and industry funding for crown-of-thorns research is targeted at answering critical questions."

"CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd's Board set high priorities for crown-of-thorns research," he said. "These include understanding the cause of crown-of-thorns outbreaks and whether human activities are playing any role. And to develop more effective local control methods."

"A recent report suggested that the frequency of outbreaks is increasing," said Dr Reichelt. "Previously, there were 12-15 years between outbreaks. The most recent outbreak occurred on some northern reefs only three to five years after a previous outbreak. However, the pattern at a larger scale is not radically different from past outbreaks."

"But we do not have any information about how often crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks occurred on the Great Barrier Reef before the 1960s. We may not know for another 30 years whether there is a change in the frequency of these outbreaks."

"We want to understand the potential for human influences in the outbreaks, such as run-off from land and the removal of predators such as some fish species and triton shells."

"We received a report about fine-scale monitoring of crown-of-thorns starfish earlier this year," said Dr Reichelt. "We are currently reviewing our monitoring of crown-of-thorns starfish and it is understandable that during this short review period that some researchers will be outspoken about their views on priorities."

"However, the community can be assured that we are continuing to treat crown-of-thorns research as a high priority and that available research funds will be targeted at the areas where best results will be achieved."

Dr Russell Reichelt will be available for interview at CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd, Sir George Fisher Building, James Cook University after 11.00am on 8 November.

For more information contact: Dr Louise Goggin, Communication Coordinator, CRC Reef on 07 4729 8404 or 0402 243116.