RAROTONGA, Cook Islands – Every Saturday, a group of Cook Islands Māori youth slide into scuba gear, grab sticks from the ironwood trees (Casuarina equisetifolia) growing along Rarotonga’s beachfront, and head to the reef surrounding the island. Their mission: To dive for invasive taramea (crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci). Adult taramea span 25-35 centimeters (10-14 inches) … Continue reading Young Māori divers hunt invasive crown-of-thorns starfish to save coral reefs