Lime Juice and Vinegar Injections as an Alternative to Control COTS Outbreaks

Outbreaks of the corallivorous crown-of-thorns seastar Acanthaster planci (COTS) represent one of the greatest disturbances to coral reef ecosystems in the Indo-Pacific, affecting not only coral reefs but also the coastal communities which rely on their resources. This research paper documents a test of a new alternative control method based upon acidic injections of cheap, 100% natural products that was carried out in Vanuatu where the presence of COTS has frequently been reported.

The paper concluded that the injections of lime juice and vinegar offer great advantages when compared to current best practices and constitute a cheap and natural option for all reefs affected by COTS

珊瑚食肉冠棘海星（Acanthaster planci，简称COTS）的爆发成为印度-太平洋珊瑚礁生态系统中最为严重的干扰之一，其影响不仅局限于珊瑚礁本身，亦波及依赖其资源的沿海社区。本研究论文记录了在瓦努阿图进行的一项基于酸性注射廉价、100%天然产品的全新替代控制方法测试，该地区COTS的频繁出现已为人所共知。论文指出，与现有的最佳实践相比，柠檬汁和醋的注射提供了显著的优势，并构成了一种经济且自然的解决方案，适用于所有受COTS影响的珊瑚礁。