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
Season 2 Episode 8: The Evolution of Environmental Report Cards [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:00
Bill Dennison and Simon Costanza from the University of Maryland talk about the history and evolution of environmental report cards as a process for galvanising communities to improve environmental conditions.