Taiwan cleans up invasive starfish at Dongsha Atoll National Park
Taiwan's National Park Service (NPS) has successfully removed 1,840 invasive crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) from the Dongsha Atoll National Park, a crucial step in battling this destructive species. The cleanup effort, announced on Wednesday (July 10), was a collaborative operation involving Academia Sinica, National Sun Yat-sen University, and a team of volunteer divers.
Details of the Operation
Discovery and Initial Response: The invasive starfish outbreak was first identified in March in the southwestern part of the atoll. Recognizing the potential threat to the coral ecosystem, the NPS quickly mobilized resources for a targeted removal operation.
Scale of the Invasion: Teams from Academia Sinica and National Sun Yat-sen University helped estimate that the invasion spanned an approximately four-kilometer stretch of the atoll.
Removal Effort: In June, volunteer divers were recruited to physically remove the starfish from the atoll. The NPS emphasized that this operation will be ongoing to ensure the starfish do not return and further damage the coral reefs.
Impact and Future Actions
Ecological Damage: The Taiwan Coral Reef Society compared the destructive impact of the crown-of-thorns starfish to "locusts passing through." The starfish feed on coral polyps and can decimate coral populations, which are crucial for the reef's health and biodiversity.
Recovery: The coral reefs affected by the starfish may take up to 10 years to recover fully, highlighting the long-term damage these starfish can cause.
Ongoing Operations: The NPS stated that continued removal operations will be necessary to prevent further invasions and protect the atoll's coral ecosystems.
Crown-of-Thorns Starfish
Characteristics: Crown-of-thorns starfish can have up to 21 arms and are covered with hundreds of toxin-tipped thorns. They are known for their voracious appetite for coral.
Impact: These starfish can "occur in plague proportions," as noted by the Australian Institute of Marine Science. They have caused significant damage to coral reefs worldwide, including the Great Barrier Reef.
The proactive measures taken by Taiwan's NPS and their partners have been crucial in mitigating the immediate threat posed by the crown-of-thorns starfish to Dongsha Atoll National Park. Continued vigilance and sustained removal efforts will be necessary to protect this valuable marine ecosystem and ensure its long-term recovery and health.
