A new method to control the invasive sun corals ( <i>Tubastraea</i> spp.): Underwater compressed‐air blasting

Abstract Accurate and safe management of invasive species, such as sun coral ( Tubastraea spp.), requires robust and improved control methods to overcome existing challenges. Existing physical removal techniques suffer from critical methodological limitations, specifically the high risk of accidental fragment dispersal and subsequent regeneration, which undermines effective long‐term management. This study introduces and validates a novel control protocol: underwater compressed‐air blasting, specifically designed for non‐extractive soft tissue removal. We detail the operational parameters of this method and provide a rigorous testing of its advantages over conventional techniques. Our results demonstrate that air blasting achieves nearly complete soft tissue removal; furthermore, laboratory tests confirmed that the dispersed tissue has negligible regenerative capacity. This lack of regeneration acts as a key safety feature, significantly reducing the risk of accidental spread during management operations. The compressed‐air blasting protocol represents a significant methodological advance for the management of invasive corals. Solution: This method offers a safer, non‐extractive alternative suitable for both sensitive ecological environments and industrial biofouling control (e.g. decommissioning), showing great potential for widespread application in marine ecosystems worldwide.