In a collage of cultures, tradition, and science, tourism operators from Italy, Japan, and United States are joining forces with Kosraean government employees in a battle to save the coral reef from Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS) – A species of sea star that has become overpopulated to the point that it is destroying the otherwise remarkably pristine coral reef. 

On island time, the team trickles in and loads traditional baskets woven from palm fronds and filled with diving gear, vinegar, and large gun-shaped syringes onto a local resort’s boat. Usually reserved to take tourists on snorkelling and diving trips, today it is a marine conservation battleship. I am the only tourist aboard. In fact, I’m likely one of the only tourists on the island because the Coronavirus travel restrictions* have caused nearly all travel bookings to be cancelled for the foreseeable future. 

This day, as the only tourist on Kosrae, I am inspired as a reporter by Mark and Maria, local resort and diving operators, and their passion to preserve and protect the coral reef. COTS is a species of sea star that is usually part of a normal healthy reef ecosystem in low populations, and is kept in check by natural predators. The COTS feed on the soft outer layer of corals at a rate similar to that of the corals growth. 

Spikes in the COTS population – often called outbreaks – can cause damage to the reefs, but resilient reefs can recover within a couple decades. Outbreaks can even promote biodiversity by creating space for slower growing corals. It’s similar to how forest fires can be part of a healthy forest ecosystem. But COTS outbreaks, like forest fires, are becoming more frequent and severe because of climate change and human activity. In already strained or damaged reefs, corals may not have the capacity to recover from COTS outbreaks. It has been speculated that the cause of more frequent outbreaks is linked to an increasing phytoplankton population, the result of an influx of fertiliser or other pollutants that provide more food for COTS. Overfishing or destruction of the COTS natural predators may also contribute. Mark recalls seeing white spots on the coral left from COTS rapidly spread to the point that large patches of coral were left colourless and destroyed.