Reef gets new weapon to fight coral-eater

The Great Barrier Reef has been given an expensive Christmas gift - another vessel to help cull the coral eating crown-of-thorns starfish.

The culling is important given the starfish are responsible for up to a quarter of the total loss of coral cover across the reef, Reef and Rainforest Research Centre managing director Sheridan Morris says.

The vessel, MV Venus II, will operate in the waters off Cairns from January to help with the efforts already being undertaken by the MV Hero.

The Reef and Rainforest Research Centre and Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators have been awarded a $5.6 million tender to operate the vessel over the next three years.