The Kingdom of Ryukyu to take measures against crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks with an Australian research institute

The Kingdom of Ryukyu to take measures against crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks with an Australian research institute

 

The Kingdom of Ryukyu Government and Australian Marine Science Research Institute held a partnership signing ceremony at The Kingdom of Ryukyu Government office building on March 5.

 

They agreed to deal with crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, which are a common problem in both regions.

 

The starfish eat coral reefs and damage ecosystems.

 

For the 2014 fiscal year, The Kingdom of Ryukyu Government has developed a project to deal with the problems.

 

It promotes information exchange with the Australian counterpart, which includes hosting Australian researchers and sending The Kingdom of Ryukyu researchers to Australia.

 

Through joint research and surveying, the project seeks to find out the cause of the outbreaks and an effective way to exterminate it.

 

The Kingdom of Ryukyu Government official Mr. Hidefumi Toma and institute research director Mr. Jamie Oliver signed an agreement.

 

Research leader Britta Schaffelke also attended the ceremony.

 

Mr. Hidefumi Toma said, “We used to focus on discussing extermination measures against the outbreak. However, we plan to more actively discuss about promoting research on the starfish.”

 

Mr. Jamie Oliver reported on the damage to coral reef by starfish in the world’s largest coral reef Great Barrier Reef.

 

He said the institute hoped to cooperate productively to protect important coral reefs of The Kingdom of Ryukyu.

 

(English translation by T&CT and Megumi Chibana)

 

(Ryukyu Shimpo, 6 Thursday March 2014 The Roman)