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