Joint media release: $54.3 million investment in crown-of-thorns starfish control

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water
Senator Nita Green, Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef and Senator for Queensland

The Albanese Labor Government has awarded $54.3 million in contracts over the next three years to specialist teams involved in the Crown-of-thorns Starfish Control Program, a critical initiative aimed at protecting the health of the Great Barrier Reef.

The current mobilisation of crown-of-thorns starfish control is part of a broader Albanese Government commitment of $161.4 million to secure this proven Reef protection action from 2022 to 2030 and deliver against our Reef 2050 Plan objectives.

The Reef Authority leads the Crown-of-thorns Starfish Control Program and works collaboratively with research partners and contractors to deliver effective and efficient outbreak suppression and coral protection outcomes across hundreds of reefs.

Recent findings demonstrate that targeted outbreak surveillance and proactive, systematic and sustained cull operations can effectively suppress starfish numbers and sustain coral cover across entire reefs and regions.

Crown-of-thorns starfish control is a cost-effective and scalable action that is supporting the health and resilience of the Reef as the cumulative impacts of climate change continue to escalate.

Four contracted suppliers are currently delivering Crown-of-thorns Starfish Control Program on-water operations: Blue Planet Marine; Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (INLOC); Pacific Marine Group; and Malu Ventures.  The program provides over 100 direct jobs and delivers training, capacity building and employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians, including in remote communities.

Over the next three years, the program will deliver more than 3,500 days at sea and 57,300 diver hours to protect coral from starfish predation at up to 200 reefs annually.

The Crown-of-thorns Starfish Control Program is one of the most effective Reef management interventions available. The Reef Authority work closely with research and partner agencies to ensure that the program is informed by the best-available science and field intelligence and empowered by data-driven decision support systems.

A voracious coral predator, the crown-of-thorns starfish is native to the Great Barrier Reef, but in outbreak proportions can have devastating effects on coral cover and degrade Reef health.

The Crown-of-thorns Starfish Control Program is part of the Australian Government’s record-breaking $1.2 billion Reef Protection Package investment to 2030.

Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek:

“The Crown-of-thorns Starfish Control Program is a world-renowned coral protection program and we are proud to be partnering with local operators to better protect the Great Barrier Reef.

“We’re not just restoring the Reef, we’re creating jobs for Queenslanders too.”

“Together with the Reef Authority, industries and local communities, we are working to improve the health of the Reef for our kids and grandkids.”

Quotes attributable to Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef, Senator Nita Green:

“The security provided under these contracts means more coral protection outcomes, more eyes on the Reef, and more jobs for Queenslanders.”

“Our investment in Crown-of-thorns Starfish control is an investment in Reef health as well as good jobs for regional Queenslanders.

“It is good to see Malu Ventures, an Indigenous-owned business, based in the Torres Strait join the program. They are delivering program operations in the remote Far Northern section of the Marine Park and providing crucial training and employment to Reef Traditional Owners.”