Scientists sound alarm over starfish threat in Indonesia

The predatory crown of thorns starfish is threatening Indonesia's portion of the 'Coral Triangle', the richest area of coral reef biodiversity on the planet, scientists warned on Tuesday.

The starfish have been discovered in large numbers by researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Australian-based ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, who surveyed reefs around Halmahera in Indonesia's Maluku Islands

The triangle lies between Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands and contains more than half the world's reefs, considered building blocks for marine life. More than 600 species of coral - 76 per cent of those known - and more than 3,000 plant and fish species live in the triangle's waters.

Scientists said they feared the growth in numbers of the starfish was caused by poor water quality and could be an early warning of widespread reef decline. The starfish feeds on coral by spreading its stomach over them and using digestive enzymes to liquify tissue. Researchers also saw evidence of blast-fishing which had occurred following communal violence in recent years.

The good news is that the reef fish assemblages are still in very good shape, So these reefs have the capacity to recover if we can address the current threats. The Coral Triangle Initiative announced by six regional governments at last year's climate change conference in Bali offers hope for the reefs in the region.