into quarters or most of the central disk is removed. This method is time-consuming, requires participants to scuba dive, and increases the chance of injury from spines.
Proponents suggest that it is preferable to other methods because it returns biomass to the reef ecosystem.
3.5 BOUNTY PROGRAMS
In some locations, such as Australia, bounty programs have been utilized. Under a bounty scheme, divers or snorkelers are paid a fee for every COT they remove from a reef
area.As with any fishery, this creates a market demand for COTs and an incentive for indi- viduals to collect them, even though they are not eaten or utilized in any other way, sim-
ply buried ashore. A bounty program requires a source of funding, to cover the bounty paid for each starfish collected. It also requires an administrative system for verifying num-
bers collected and making payments to collectors. A bounty program must also choose a preferred control method, such as burial and removal ashore. In areas of high unemploy-
ment or poverty, government agencies or tourist resorts may wish to consider a bounty program. However, it has its disadvantages, and must be carefully managed to ensure suc-
cess.The incentive for collection of COTs becomes financial, and does not necessarily fos- ter environmental concern for the reefs among collectors or local communities. In
addition, collectors will target areas with high density infestations of COTs, as they can collect the most in the shortest period of time there. Besides this, not all reef areas with
high densities of COTs are priority or even worthy clean-up sites, as they may be severely damaged already.Also, once COTs densities are somewhat reduced, collectors may switch
to more heavily infested areas to maximize profits, leaving areas only partially cleaned and subject to population rebound.
22 | Guide for Crown-of-Thorns Clean-Ups
4
WHOM TO ENLIST IN A CLEAN-UP EFFORT
If you elect to use the removal and burial ashore method, a clean-up team will need many people. Of two clean-ups in North Sulawesi, one involved over 250 people, and a
smaller one utilized 120 people. Potential volunteers come from all walks of life, and are united by a commitment to protect Indonesias coral reefs. A clean-up activity can galva-
nize different stakeholders, and create partnerships among diverse groups of people. For the Proyek Pesisir COTs cleanups, the first large scale COTs clean-up involved as many
different stakeholders as possible university students, govemment officials, the local dive community, tourists and villagers.The repeat clean-up concentrated on the villagers, who
then provided the entire work force.
4.1 THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
Dependent on the reef’s health for their livelihoods, local residents are the most important people to involve. Many community members have local knowledge about the
conditions of the reef flats and are proud to share their expertise. They can also provide boats and other gear to help keep the cost down.
4.2 UNIVERSITY FACULTY AND STUDENTS
Students and faculty from the local university, particularly the departments of fish- eries and marine science or biology, are also logical choices. They are easily trained and
enthusiastic about protecting the marine environment. It is a good opportunity for them to experience a positive proactive field activity with tangible results.
