Episode 5: The AMPTO Crown Of Thorns Starfish (COTS) Program

Episode 5: The AMPTO Crown Of Thorns Starfish (COTS) Program

Author: James Donaldson, Wet Tropics Waterways January 16, 2019 Duration: 20:56

The Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS) is a natural predator of coral on the Great Barrier Reef and is thought to have been present in low numbers for thousands of years. As a result of human induced influxes such as nutrient loading and fishing pressure COTS "blooms" have become a threat to coral health.

The Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO) have run a COTS management program on reefs of key tourism and/or conservation value for over two decades. The program has demonstrated that COTS control is a useful tool for localised COTS management.

A side benefit of the COTS program has been the creation of training and employment opportunities for youths in the Wet Tropics Region, with participants enjoying an 85% employment rate on completion of the program.


There's a vital, living connection between the lush, rainforested rivers of Far North Queensland and the vast blue expanse of the Great Barrier Reef. What happens in one profoundly affects the other. Hosted by James Donaldson from Wet Tropics Waterways, the Reef And Rivers Podcast explores this intricate relationship by giving a voice to the people who know it best. Each conversation moves beyond abstract science to ground-level stories, offering a direct line to farmers, Traditional Owners, researchers, and community volunteers who are actively engaged with the landscape. You'll hear about the specific critters-from tiny insects to majestic fish-that indicate a waterway's health, and learn about the practical, often ingenious projects aimed at protecting them. This isn't just a series of interviews; it's an ongoing audio documentary about the interdependence of an entire region's lifestyle, economy, and environment. By tuning into this podcast, you gain an understanding of how everyday actions on land ripple out to the reef, and more importantly, how collective effort is working to ensure both these iconic systems thrive for generations to come. The discussions are grounded, hopeful, and filled with the kind of specific details that only come from firsthand experience.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 72

Reef And Rivers Podcast
Podcast Episodes
S4.E10 The role of aquariums as educators [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:53
If you've visited the Cairns Aquarium you'll know that biodiversity and conservation education are a driving force behind their business model. In fact, raising awareness about the biodiversity in our world heritage-list…
S4.E9 A blueprint for turbo-charging reef water quality progress [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:12
The Wet Tropics Major Integrated Project was an ambitious 4-year social change and reef water quality project, and has been described as a blueprint to accelerating progress towards achieving reef water quality targets.…
S4.E8 Bum breathers - the Johnstone River snapping turtle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:25
Despite its name, the Johnstone River snapping turtle is no snappier than any other freshwater turtle – and is perhaps better known by its alias, the 'bum breather'. According to turtle expert Alistair Freeman, this abil…
S4.E6 Keeping tabs on mangroves [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:45
Mangroves and saltmarsh are important coastal ecosystems that help purify water, buffer coastal communities from extreme weather and provide fish nurseries for our recreational and commercial fishing industries. They're…
S4.E5 From pets to pests - ornamental fish gone rogue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:25
They might look pretty – or at least, pretty harmless, but Australia's ornamental fish trade can pose a serious threat to our waterways. Once an invasive is established, it makes eradication almost impossible, which mean…
S4.E4 The changing face of tropical cyclones [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:30
Tropical cyclones, though destructive, are part of the natural dynamics of the rainforest and reef. We often see their land-based impacts most vividly, but they also impact coral reefs and seagrass beds. We catch up with…
S4.E3 Tracking bull sharks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:35
Equal parts fearful and fascinating, bull sharks have a reputation as strong, aggressive sharks and are one of the most common species that anglers are likely to encounter in the estuaries and inshore marine zone. Nicola…
S4.E2 Pharmaceutical-filled waterways [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:29
When we think about waterway pollution, things like paracetamol and caffeine probably aren't the first things that come to mind – but they're among the alarmingly long list of pharmaceuticals and consumables that are lit…
S4.E1 Wet Tropics Waterway Health Report Card Results - 2022 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:33
The 2022 Wet Tropics Waterway Health Report Card was released today. A lot of complex science goes on behind the report, and it can get a bit heavy, so we asked our Independent Chair Dr Greg Vinall to break it down. Join…