TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taiwanese Coral Reef Society (台灣珊瑚礁學會) on Wednesday (July 10) reported a severe outbreak of crown-of-thorns starfish (棘冠海星) at Dongsha Atoll (東沙環礁), spanning approximately 4 kilometers. The society urged authorities to remove the starfish between July and September to prevent extensive coral reef damage, which could take at least ten years to rehabilitate.
The average density of crown-of-thorns starfish at Dongsha Atoll has reached about 1,232.9 per hectare, significantly exceeding the sustainable density of 15 to 30 per hectare for coral reef ecosystems.
Jeng Ming-shiou (鄭明修), honorary chairman of the Taiwanese Coral Reef Society, led a research team with the Marine National Park Headquarters of the National Park Service of the Ministry of the Interior (內政部國家公園署海洋國家公園管理處) to Dongsha Atoll from June 6 to 12.
During their mission, they conducted seven dives, killing 1,237 starfish with poison and manually removing 603, totaling approximately 1,840 starfish. Jeng emphasized that crown-of-thorns starfish prey on live coral polyps, akin to locusts' devastating crops. He stated that in the Great Barrier Reef (大堡礁), these starfish have caused severe damage, leading to repeated outbreaks that are difficult to manage.
Jeng warned that without proactive removal, a mature 40-centimeter crown-of-thorns starfish could release 280 million eggs in a year, with a 1% survival rate resulting in over a million starfish. He stressed the importance of reducing the starfish density between July and September to curb rapid proliferation, noting that northeast monsoon winds from winter would hinder diving operations.
The organization's call to action highlights the urgency of addressing this ecological threat. Immediate intervention could mitigate long-term damage and support the preservation of Dongsha Atoll's vibrant coral ecosystems.
