Population of coral-eating starfish in Semporna declines, but volunteers fear another outbreak

A diver collecting the starfish at Pulau Bum Bum to manage infestation.

KOTA KINABALU: An infestation of the coral eating crown-of-thorns starfish in Sabah’s east coast Semporna district appears to have abated but the diving community there remains worried.

Divemaster Pius Angelo Mak said the number crown-of-thorns starfish scooped up by him and other volunteers from the Buli Patuid reef near Pulau Bum Bum had declined over the past week.