TACKLING CROWN-OF-THORNS STARFISH

Industry, managers and scientists will meet in a CRC Reef workshop in Cairns to discuss current best-practice local control methods for crown-of-thorns starfish and possible alternative control methods.

"We're keen to learn from tourism operators about the methods that they have found are the most effective to control crown-of-thorns in local areas," said Dr David Williams, Deputy CEO of CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd. " We're also interested in discussing new methods that could be trialled."

A panel of tourism operators will talk about their experiences in controlling crown-of-thorns starfish.

"We've learnt a great deal about the effective control of crown-of-thorns starfish," said Mr Kim Thomas, General Manager of Great Adventures. "We've found that to win the battle we need to dedicate significant resources, in particular specialised staff to controlling the starfish."

Scientists from CRC Reef and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) will also discuss their ideas for ways that might be used to control crown-of-thorns starfish in the future.

"We know that crown-of-thorns starfish aggregate," said Dr Michael Hall, research scientist from AIMS. "This suggests that the starfish are communicating by some means and it is likely to be some form of chemical communication. If we can identify the message, it could be used as a bait to attract crown-of-thorns starfish to specific locations, just as environmentally friendly species-specific pheromone baited traps are used against agricultural pests in place of insecticides."

The workshop will make recommendations for future directions of research into local control options for crown-of-thorns starfish.

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact: Louise Goggin, Communication Coordinator, CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd, on 0402 243116

THE WORKSHOP IS FOR INVITED GUESTS ONLY

The workshop is being held in the Joseph Banks Ballroom, Matson Resort, The Esplanade, Cairns, on Thursday April 19 from 6.00pm to 9.00pm.

MEDIA INTERVIEWS WILL ONLY BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN 7.40 and 8.00pm.