Is. sector but did not increase greatly between 1996 and 1998. There is evidence of increases in COTS numbers in the Cairns and Innisfail sectors. This is consistent with a southward drift and supports the hypothesis that secondary outbreaks are caused by larvae being transported between reefs by the East Australian Current. COTS numbers increased greatly in the Swain Reefs in1998, largely due to a dense population on Horseshoe Reef. There were no significant changes in COTS abundance within the other seven GBR sectors.
COT'S on reef communities and their subsequent recovery from such disturbances.
These sectors have been affected by both COTS and cyclones. These regions have been observed recovering from COTS and cyclone activity respectively. Coral cover on the permanent survey sites declined over six years in the inner region of the Swain sector. This was due to a COTS outbreak at Reef 22-088. Both these regions have been recovering from storm disturbance.