Integrated Engineering and Ecology Approaches for Controlling Invasive Sun Coral

Invasive sun coral species (Tubastraea coccinea and T. tagusensis) pose a significant ecological and economic threat along the Brazilian coastline, where traditional manual removal techniques have shown limited effectiveness due to high regeneration capacity and operational limitations. This paper presents an integrated engineering approach for sun coral management, combining the development of diver-operated mechanical tools with exploratory in situ neutralization techniques. Two primary tools, a battery-powered impact hammer for coarse removal and a rotary brush for fine cleaning, were designed and validated through a hybrid Agile-Stage-Gate methodology, incorporating iterative prototyping and stakeholder feedback. Field experiments demonstrated that the combined use of both tools achieved coral removal efficiencies of up to 94.7%, significantly exceeding single-tool or manual methods. Additional methods, including UV-C light application and biodegradable wrapping materials, were evaluated for their potential to inactivate coral tissue without physical removal. Although the UV approach showed promising tissue damage, further testing is required to confirm long-term effectiveness. The wrapping technique, on the other hand, faced limitations in adhesion under natural conditions. The results underscore the value of combining engineering innovation with ecological insight to create scalable and field-ready solutions for the sustainable management of invasive marine species.