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Crown-of-Thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) manual eradication: vinegar injection syringe protocols?

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S
Sarah Benthic•915 rep

What bio-security guidelines and sodium bisulfate dosing rates govern scientific cull operations targeting corallivorous sea stars on eastern coral reefs?

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5 Answers from travellers

✓Accepted Answer

Outbreaks of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS / Acanthaster planci) across Pigeon Island and Passikudah reefs pose severe threats to live Acropora table corals. Untrained divers must never cut starfish into pieces; cutting triggers rapid asexual arm regeneration and induces stress-spawning of millions of fertile gametes. Scientific culls use long stainless-steel livestock syringe injection poles. Divers inject 10ml to 15ml of household white vinegar (5% acetic acid) or sodium bisulfate directly into the base of multiple arms. This triggers an allergic immune collapse and complete tissue liquefaction within 48 hours without releasing toxic chemicals into the reef.

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D
Dr Anouk Spawning•1880 rep

Puncture wounds from COTS venomous spines cause severe localized pain, vomiting, and long-lasting granuloma cysts; wear heavy puncture-resistant gloves during culls.

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Sarah Benthic•915 rep

Overharvesting of the giant triton snail (Charonia tritonis)—the primary natural predator of adult COTS—has disrupted natural reef ecological checks.

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Kenji Reef•915 rep

Cull operations must be registered and coordinated with the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) to ensure cull data enters national marine health databases.

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Liam Swell•930 rep

Dead starfish must be left in-situ on the reef bed; dragging carcasses onto dive boats causes offensive stench and risks secondary spines punctures.

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K
Kenji LiDAR•940 rep

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