The starfish terminator

Diverse and Productive Source of Biopolymer Inspiration: Marine Collagens

“…Also, the crown-of-thorns starfish Acanthaster planci , whose outbreaks are a major cause of coral reef degradation, has been used for collagen extraction . The collection and use of these animals as a source of collagen would seem a more ethical way of controlling their abundance than increasingly refining methods for destroying them in situ . , Additionally, the size of this species (among the biggest starfish) results in relatively high yields of collagen. In terms of sustainability, sea cucumbers also offer a good opportunity of exploitation, as several species are routinely cultured. , …”

UQ eSpace

“…It utilizes stereoscopic cameras to have depth perception, utilizes various sensors for orientation and location, as well as 5 thrusters for propulsion (New robot has crown-ofthorns starfish in its sights, 2015). The robot has been trained through the use of computer vision software to look at the reef through its camera and be able to pick out the COTS from among the corals (Slezak, 2016). It has shown an ability to correctly identify the COTS 99.4% of the time when it was tested under laboratory conditions (Platt and Platt, 2018) The robot has an extendable arm which it uses to reach the COTS in difficult places.…”

“…It has shown an ability to correctly identify the COTS 99.4% of the time when it was tested under laboratory conditions (Platt and Platt, 2018) The robot has an extendable arm which it uses to reach the COTS in difficult places. The arm houses a needle containing bile, which has been found to be deadly to the COTS when it is injected (Slezak, 2016). It contains enough 'poison' to do approximately 200 injections before needing to be refilled and should have an operational time of 4-8 hours, depending on sea conditions (Slezak, 2016).…”

“…The arm houses a needle containing bile, which has been found to be deadly to the COTS when it is injected (Slezak, 2016). It contains enough 'poison' to do approximately 200 injections before needing to be refilled and should have an operational time of 4-8 hours, depending on sea conditions (Slezak, 2016). The Robot is currently undergoing trials and testing to ensure that all functions operate correctly, but it will be expected to go into service during 2018 (Slezak, 2016).…”