Kill sea starfish to protect corals

The campaign to kill starfishes to protect corals in Nha Trang Bay marine protected area was launched by Khanh Hoa province on May 20 in response to World Biodiversity Day (May 22).

About 7,000 thorns starfish in some waters around marine protected areas such as Hon No, Hon Mun and Hon Mot . were destroyed yesterday, May 20.

Divers looking for starfish starfish in the waters of Nha Trang Bay conservation.Photo: Tuong Vi

Mr. Truong Kinh, Director of Nha Trang Bay Marine Protected Area said that the Management Board will coordinate with fishermen to continue to organize diving to catch seastars. Each starfish starter will pay 5,000 VND to fishermen, then take it to destroy.

The killing of thorny starfish is held annually by the Management Board in May, the breeding month for this species.

Starfish is the scientific name Acanthaster Planci , living at a depth of 5 to 20m of sea water, this is the natural enemy of corals. The life cycle of this species is about 3 years. In those 3 years, a starfish starter can eat about 25 m ² of coral.

The sea starfish is a coral-eating species so there is a risk of ravaging coral in Nha Trang Bay marine protected area.Photo: Tuong Vi

In recent years, due to the catching of the enemy species of starfish such as the snail and the starfish-eating fish, this species has exploded strongly. Meanwhile, Nha Trang Bay Marine Protected Area has more than 350 species of corals. Therefore, the risk of ecosystems in the marine protected area will be devastated by this species.