On Saturday the 8th of June in Rarotonga, Kōrero o te ‘Ōrau led by Director Jackie Rongo spearheaded Operation Taramea, aiming to reach their target of 10,000 taramea (crown-of-thorns starfish), a goal set in 2020. Their efforts have led to the removal of an impressive 9,574 taramea to date, bringing them closer to achieving the goal. Kōrero o te ‘Ōrau have taken the lead in taramea eradication over the years, significantly contributing to the health of our reefs, building that bridge of support and success of World Ocean Day on Rarotonga. Keeping our oceans and lagoons free from taramea is crucial for preserving the health of our reefs. Taramea is a notorious coral predator, and its unchecked population can lead to significant coral loss. This has huge impacts on our marine ecosystem, reducing biodiversity and weakening the reef structure that protects our islands. Efforts by government agencies and community groups to participate in a beach clean up on Rarotonga saw volunteers selecting stretches of beach, collecting trash and contributing to the preservation of our island's natural beauty. This included Ministry of Marine Resources, Te Ipukarea Society and our industry partners Pacific Divers and Pacific Resort Rarotonga.