09/06/2025
Divers are some of the first to notice when something is out of balance in the ocean. Invasive species that spread rapidly and disrupt ecosystems are a growing threat to ocean health, but divers around the world are stepping up to help.
For example, Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) are native to the Indo-Pacific but can become highly destructive during population booms. A single adult can consume up to 10 square meters of coral per year, making them a major threat to coral reefs like the Great Barrier Reef.
The combination of climate change and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks create additional concerns as the starfish may eat the few corals that survive after heatwaves.
To combat outbreaks, divers are trained to inject the starfish with bile salts or vinegar—a targeted method that doesn’t harm surrounding marine life. In areas like the Philippines, Indonesia, and Australia, these diver-led interventions are essential to reef survival during outbreak years.
On the Great Barrier Reef alone, thousands of crown-of-thorns have been removed as part of long-term management efforts.
Kathryn Curzon
https://news.scubatravel.co.uk/fighting-back-divers-underwater-invasive-species.html
