The Emirates Diving Association (EDA) has partnered with the University of Khorfakkan for an initiative supported by DP World to cull a Crown-of-ThornsSea Stars(CoTS) outbreak decimating coral reefs on the East Coast of the United Arab Emirates.
In an initiative led by Dr Henrik Stahl, Dean of the College of Marine Science and Aquatic Biology at the University of Khorfakkan, a team of divers comprising marine biologists and volunteers from EDA and the Dubai Voluntary Diving Team conducted a culling operation to reduce the population of CoTS across two sites off the coast of Khorfakkan.
During the exercise, a total of 118CoTS were removed from the reefs and taken to the University of Khorfakkan for sampling, before being destroyed in a safe manner.
The initiative took place following extensive surveys of the reefs over three diving expeditions conducted by Dr Henrik and certified Reef Check divers at two selected coral reef sites in Khorfakkan, Martini Bay and Hole-in-the-Wall, to record CoTS population numbers.
The surveys revealed alarming findings, with 70 CoTS observed over an area of 2,250 square metres at Martini Bay, and 16 CoTS observed over an area of 2,550 square metres at Hole-in-The-Wall. These densities indicated a localised outbreak posing a significant threat to the coral population in this area. Divers participating in the survey reported observing a substantial number of white coral skeletons at the surveyed sites, often with a CoTS attached to them, further indicating the damage that CoTS can cause to reefs.
All the gathered data on CoTS population numbers, sizes and species was provided to the University of Khorfakkan who submitted their findings to the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) of Sharjah to secure the necessary approvals to conduct the culling operation. Further research on CoTS outbreak dynamics and biology was done in collaboration with scientists from the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT) at the University of Milano-Bicocca in Italy.
Commenting on the initiative, Dr Henrik Stahl underscored the importance of scientific research and community engagement in safeguarding the health of coral reef ecosystems, saying: “The problem of the Crown-of-Thorns Sea Stars outbreak was initially raised when concerned divers from the UAE’s East Coast brought it to our attention. In partnership with the Emirates Diving Association, we quickly surveyed the sites and established that an outbreak was in fact occurring. This was the first documented CoTS outbreak event on the East Coast of the UAE, which boasts some of the greatest coral reef biodiversity in the country. The contributions of the voluntary divers from the Emirates Diving Association are gratefully acknowledged for their invaluable assistance and efforts in conducting these conservation activities.”
Ibrahim Al Zu’bi, Co-Founder of the Emirates Diving Association said: “The EDA’s mission is to conserve, protect and restore the UAE’s marine resources by emphasising and promoting the underwater environment and environmental diving. CoTS can pose a significant threat to the UAE’s beautiful coral reefs in the event of outbreaks such as this, so we are extremely
grateful for the support of DP World for these initiatives to protect the UAE’s ocean environment. This is a prime example of how we strive to collaborate with leading local institutions such as the University of Khorfakkan, and volunteering groups such as the Dubai Voluntary Dive Team, to achieve our mission.”
Coral reefs are diverse and vibrant ecosystems that provide crucial habitats for marine life and offer essential services to coastal communities. However, these delicate ecosystems face numerous threats, including climate change, pollution, and overfishing. Among these threats is also the CoTS, a voracious corallivorous predator that can devastate coral reefs if its population is left unchecked.
CoTS, belonging to the Acanthaster genus, are one of the largest sea stars in the world, characterised by their numerous venomous spines and their ability to consume large amounts of coral tissue. An adult CoTS has the capacity to devour approximately 10 square metres of coral annually. Whilst CoTS can play a natural role in reef ecosystems by controlling coral growth, outbreaks of these sea stars can have severe consequences for coral reefs, leading to extensive coral mortality and habitat degradation.
DP World stands as a proud strategic partner of the Emirates Diving Association, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the UAE’s marine ecosystem and fostering sustainability initiatives. Through continuous support initiatives, DP World actively champions underwater clean-up drives, community education and engagement sessions, and collaborates with divers in several environmental diving endeavours. This partnership allows DP World to further its agenda of protecting and restoring the UAE’s invaluable marine resources, ensuring a vibrant and resilient aquatic environment for future generations.
