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Fish predators control outbreaks of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish

Author

Listed:
  • Frederieke J. Kroon

    (Australian Institute of Marine Science)

  • Diego R. Barneche

    (Australian Institute of Marine Science
    Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia)

  • Michael J. Emslie

    (Australian Institute of Marine Science)

Abstract

Outbreaks of corallivorous Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (CoTS, Acanthaster spp.) have caused persistent and widespread loss of coral cover across Indo-Pacific coral reefs. The potential drivers of these outbreaks have been debated for more than 50 years, hindering effective management to limit their destructive impacts. Here, we show that fish biomass removal through commercial and recreational fisheries may be a major driver of CoTS population outbreaks. CoTS densities increase systematically with increasing fish biomass removal, including for known CoTS predators. Moreover, the biomass of fish species and families that influence CoTS densities are 1.4 to 2.1-fold higher on reefs within no-take marine reserves, while CoTS densities are 2.8-fold higher on reefs that are open to fishing, indicating the applicability of fisheries-based management to prevent CoTS outbreaks. Designing targeted fisheries management with consideration of CoTS population dynamics may offer a tangible and promising contribution to effectively reduce the detrimental impacts of CoTS outbreaks across the Indo-Pacific.

Suggested Citation

  • Frederieke J. Kroon & Diego R. Barneche & Michael J. Emslie, 2021. "Fish predators control outbreaks of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-26786-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26786-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John F Bruno & Elizabeth R Selig, 2007. "Regional Decline of Coral Cover in the Indo-Pacific: Timing, Extent, and Subregional Comparisons," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 2(8), pages 1-8, August.
    2. Graham J. Edgar & Rick D. Stuart-Smith & Trevor J. Willis & Stuart Kininmonth & Susan C. Baker & Stuart Banks & Neville S. Barrett & Mikel A. Becerro & Anthony T. F. Bernard & Just Berkhout & Colin D., 2014. "Global conservation outcomes depend on marine protected areas with five key features," Nature, Nature, vol. 506(7487), pages 216-220, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jacob G. D. Rogers & Éva E. Plagányi, 2022. "Culling corallivores improves short-term coral recovery under bleaching scenarios," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Zhao, Xin & Liu, Lidan & Liu, Meng & Fan, Meng, 2024. "Stochastic dynamics of coral reef system with stage-structure for crown-of-thorns starfish," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).

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