In 1969 the coral destroying starfish were considered a potential ecological disaster. Especially if they were present in plague numbers. Fortunately the coral reefs in the Eastern Caroline Islands were not threatened. Elsewhere in the world the starfish were causing havoc. The starfish plagues elsewhere were the reason we were hired to make an underwater survey at this distant atoll. It was part of a scientific expedition involving more that sixty coral reef experts from all over the world. John Harding was hired to make a documentary film. A sudden budget cutback by President Richard Nixon destroyed the budget for the film. Nixon wanted more money to fight the war in Vietnam.
