Taramea Control Mission- EN

On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, the Te Aho Toa NGO team, joined by an incredible group of volunteers, carried out a Taramea control mission in the Marine Protected Area located in the lagoon right in front of our Ecostation. Over the course of the morning, we successfully removed 20 Taramea (Crown of Thorns Starfish). As part of the mission, members of the Te Aho Toa team also collected two Taramea for a live dissection, where they showed everyone the species up close and deepened their collective understanding of its biology and behavior.

Why is Taramea control so important?

Taramea, the Crown of Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris), is a natural coral predator found across Indo-Pacific reefs. In small numbers, it plays a normal ecological role. But when populations spike, often due to human-driven impacts like nutrient pollution or the decline of natural predators, Taramea can devastate coral communities. Large outbreaks lead to extensive coral loss, reduced biodiversity, and weakened reef structures that help protect our islands.

To help safeguard the reefs surrounding the Motu, we used a targeted vinegar-based injection method that quickly and safely neutralizes the starfish without harming other marine life. Managing Taramea outbreaks is an essential step in long-term coral reef conservation.

A huge thank you to the entire Te Aho Toa team and to all the volunteers who joined us in protecting the reef!

Stay tuned for more updates on the inspiring work being done by this dynamic and dedicated new NGO!

Underwater photos by Théo Guillaume