COTS Outbreaks in Raja Ampat:
An Interactive Map

To access the outbreak map on your mobile device

This open source interactive map developed by The SEA People provides real-time information system on the known state of COTs outbreaks and the current collaborative efforts to mitigate them.  The information shown is based on data collected by local citizens, willing tourism operators, and local government who have seen COTS, or conducted a COTS removal event and recorded these events into the survey above.  These results then populate the interactive map below in real time, enabling us to evaluate the extent of the outbreaks and the effectiveness of culling events.  See our Conservation Technology page for further details regarding how we use technology to better optimise the management of a large marine park.

DON’T ACT ALONE:  it is only through the use of collaborative evaluation and management tools that we can strive to collectively address ecological challenges such as Crown of Thorns Starfish outbreaks in Raja Ampat.

Why Is A Collaborative Approach Needed?

All stakeholders within Raja Ampat Marine Park have a responsibility and duty of care to maintain the health of the reef systems that provide the natural resources they depend upon.  By acting together as a group we can accomplish things which no individual acting alone could ever hope to bring about.

Given the vast scale of Raja Ampat; an archipelago of 1411 islands over 4.6 million square hectares, whilst we are aware of reefs where COTS are considered to be at outbreak levels, it is very difficult to know the extent and frequency of these outbreaks across the region, as no one organisation can be in all locations, at all times.  In order to better determine and assess this, it is essential that all stakeholders and interested parties work together, in identifying affected reefs, and intervening when necessary. It is only through a collaborative stakeholder approach that we can deliver an effective management response to a potentially disastrous outcome for the reefs of Raja Ampat, and the communities who rely upon them.

COTS Outbreaks: report culling or sightings

Collaborating Partners

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