Review of the Crown-of-thorns Starfish Research Committee (COTSREC) Program

Dr Brian Lassig, Udo Engelhardt
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
PO Box 1379
Townsville Queensland 4810

Dr Peter Moran, Dr Tenshi Ayukai
Australian Institute of Marine Science
PMB 3, Townsville Queensland 4810

September 1995

A Report To The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

1. COVER PAGE & VERSO [Adobe Acrobat Format 72.62KB]
2. TABLE OF CONTENTS [Adobe Acrobat Format 143.45KB]
3. PREFACE & ABBREVIATIONS [Adobe Acrobat Format 89.25KB]
4. BACKGROUND [Adobe Acrobat Format 444.88KB]
   • Review of the COTSAC Program..
   • The Crown-of-thorns Starfish Research Committee (COTSREC)
   • The Availability of Funds and the Start of Research
   • Review of the COTSREC Program..
   • The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)
   • Structure of the Research Program..
5. PROJECT OUTLINES AND MAJOR RESULTS [Adobe Acrobat Format 2339.90KB]
   • Coral and Starfish Dynamics; Ecological Effects
   • Larval and Adult Starfish Biology
   • Geological Perspectives..
   • Controls
   • Hydrodynamics, Recruitment and Terrestrial Inputs
   • Predation..
   • Public Information..
6. OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM AREAS [Adobe Acrobat Format 1566.19KB]
   • Coral and Starfish Dynamics; Ecological Effects
   • Broad-scale (Reef-wide) Patterns of Outbreaks
   • Fine-scale Distribution and Abundance of COTS in the Cairns Section
   • Impact on Corals and Recovery
   • Techniques
   • Impact on Fish..
   • Larval and Adult Starfish Biology
   • Geological Perspectives..
   • Controls
   • Hydrodynamics, Recruitment and Terrestrial Inputs
   • Predation
   • Public Information..
   • The COTSWATCH Reef-user survey scheme..
   • Educational Materials
   • Printed and Electronic Media..
   • Displays at Aquaria and Zoos
   • The Possible Causes of Outbreaks
7. FUTURE PROGRAM DIRECTIONS [Adobe Acrobat Format 795.80KB]
   • Monitoring COTS and their effects on the Great Barrier Reef..
   • The Origins and Causes of Outbreaks
   • Water Quality
   • Predation
   • Management Responses: Controls and Planning 1
   • Public Information
   • The Reef-user survey scheme (COTSWATCH)
   • Media Component
   • Educational Materials
   • Displays at Aquaria and Zoos
   • Other Areas
8. ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE [Adobe Acrobat Format 467.91KB]
9. REFERENCES & REPORTS AND PUBLICATIONS [Adobe Acrobat Format 987.67KB]
10. APPENDICIES [Adobe Acrobat Format 753.71KB]
    • Appendix 1 Compilation of the major findings and recommendations of Professor D.T. Anderson’s review of the crown-of-thorns starfish research Program
    • Appendix 2 Members of the Crown-of-thorns Starfish Research Committee (COTSREC) *
    • Appendix 3 Terms of Reference for the Crown-of-thorns Starfish Research Committee (COTSREC)
    • Appendix 4 Summary of conclusions and recommendations of “A Review of the Crown-of-thorns Starfish Research Program: 1989-1991” by Dr R.E. Johannes
    • Appendix 5 GBRMPA policy on COTS controls
    • Appendix 6 ‘A Management Approach to the COTS Question’ by Professor Graeme Kelleher

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