[Coral-List] Tobago Bleaching update

Owen Day owenday at me.com
Wed Sep 1 11:58:46 EDT 2010


Hi Jahson,

I would be interested to know how the extent of the bleaching on the Speyside reefs compares with other reefs around Tobago. When we (Buccoo Reef Trust and Coral Cay Conservation) surveyed the reefs after the bleaching event of 2005 we found the Speyside reefs (North-East coast) to be the least affected with only approximately 20% of colonies bleached, while reefs on the Caribbean coast (West coast) were much worse, with an average of about 70% of colonies affected.  You can find the data in our report at http://www.buccooreeftrust.org/images/stories/brt/downloads/Coral_Bleaching_Report_1.pdf

If you have the resources, it would be worth doing some quantitative surveys over the next few months to see where the most resilient areas are. This is an important opportunity to determine where the "refugia" are and where management/conservation efforts should be concentrated in the long-term.  We believe the Speyside reefs are probably more resilient because of the better water quality and strong currents allowing corals to gain more energy from filter-feeding at night. Coral Cay Conservation are currently surveying in Tobago and doing some great work with the local community in Speyside.  I suggest you contact them to discuss their plans and the possibility of doing some joint surveys with the Institute of Marine Affairs and the Speyside community. 

Keep us posted, the Speyside area is one of the real gems of the Eastern Caribbean.

Best regards
Owen

Dr Owen Day
Co-Director, CARIBSAVE
Barbados, West Indies
owenday at me.com  

On 31 Aug 2010, at 17:00, coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov wrote:

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> Today's Topics:
> 
>   1. FAO Vacancy (Artur Gil)
>   2. Have branching acroporids returned after 97'-98' mass
>      bleaching? (Keryea Soong)
>   3. Acropora spawning in Curacao (Dirk Petersen)
>   4. Re: Media and Oil Spill Science (Steve Kolian)
>   5. ACRS Conference Registration - Reminder (Anna Scott)
>   6. Tobago Bleaching update (Jahson B)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 04:33:59 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Artur Gil <arturfreiregil at yahoo.com.br>
> Subject: [Coral-List] FAO Vacancy
> To: engenhariabiofisica at yahoogrupos.com.br
> Message-ID: <129005.40057.qm at web120215.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
> 
> http://www.fao.org/VA/PROF/CP_TCI_020_en.pdf
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:46:29 +0800
> From: "Keryea Soong" <keryea at mail.nsysu.edu.tw>
> Subject: [Coral-List] Have branching acroporids returned after 97'-98'
> 	mass	bleaching?
> To: "coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov" <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
> Message-ID: <20100830113733.M72578 at mail.nsysu.edu.tw>
> Content-Type: text/plain;	charset=big5
> 
> Dear coral listers:
> 
> Could you tell me if branching acroporids in the reefs you visited returned 
> since the 97'-98' bleaching event.
> 
> In Dongsha Atoll, or the atoll around Pratas Island (20 40' N, 116 50' E) sw 
> of Taiwan, the branching acropora has yet to return either in the lagoon or 
> the reef flats. They used to form beds covering km of reefs.
> 
> I will compile a table and send to those who are interested.
> 
> Sincerely
> 
> Keryea Soong
> 
> Institute of Marine Biology
> National Sun Yat-sen University
> Kaohsiung, Taiwan 804
> 886-7-5252000, x.5109 (office)
> 886-7-5255109 (office)
> 886-7-5255100 (fax)
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 3
> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:24:41 +0200
> From: "Dirk Petersen" <d.petersen at rotterdamzoo.nl>
> Subject: [Coral-List] Acropora spawning in Curacao
> To: <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
> Cc: aquaticinfo at mail.seaplace.org
> Message-ID: <4C7BF7690200007A00026624 at mail.rotterdamzoo.nl>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
> 
> Dear all,
> 
> we can report spawning of Acropora palmata and A. cervicornis in Curacao (Sea Aquarium reef and Spanish Waters) in the past nights:
> 
> Aug 25:
> 
> no spawning observed at Sea Aquarium site
> Spanish Waters not monitored
> 
> 
> Aug 26:
> 
> Sea Aquarium Reef:
> 1 palmata spawned from 9:15 - 9:55 pm (gametes collected)
> 2 cervicornis spawned around 9:30 pm
> 
> Spanish Waters:
> 3 palmata spawned from 9:35-9:50 pm (gametes collected)
> 
> 
> Aug 27:
> 
> Sea Aquarium Reef:
> 40-60% of all palmatas spawned from 9:15-10:00 pm (gametes collected from 7 colonies)
> 1 cervicornis  around 9:30 pm
> 
> SpanishWaters:50-60% ofpalmata 9:15-9:45 pm (11 colonies sampled)
> 
> 1cervicornis, around 9:30 pm
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Aug 28
> 
> SeaAquarium:
> Elkhorn: 1 colony 9:30-10:00 pm
> 
> SpanishWaters
> 25% elkhorn (5 colonies)9:15-10:00 pm
> Cervicornis:1 colony around 9:30 pm
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Aug 29
> no spawning at both dive sites
> 
> 
> If you wan to know more about the spawning event in Curacao, please visit 
> 
> http://www.secore.org/gsp.dll?sid=283&pid=1&p_menuid=136&p_parentmenuid=86
> under submenu "workshop -> Aug 26 - Aug 27 - Aug 28". 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Regards from Curacao,
> 
> 
> Dirk Petersen & Mike Brittsan on behalf of all SECORE workshop participants
> 
> Mark Vermeij, Kristen Marhaver, Aaron Hartmann
> Jennifer Boulet & Dannise Ruiz-Ramos
> Ralph Tollrian, Sebastian Striewski, Anna Roik
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 4
> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:17:40 -0500
> From: Steve Kolian <stevekolian at hotmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Media and Oil Spill Science
> To: Coral List <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
> Message-ID: <COL110-W3AAFE637E9EDA7FDEC514B0890 at phx.gbl>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> 
> 
> For the purposes of disclosure, EcoRigs has been a non-profit since 1999. To date, we have received $100 from my sister Mary Kolian and $30 from my sister Kathy Kolian. We have funded our research from our own savings accounts. 
> 
> Best Regards, Steve Kolian 225-910-0304 cell
> 
> 
> 
>> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 14:15:36 -0400
>> From: sealab at earthlink.net
>> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
>> Subject: [Coral-List] Media and Oil Spill Science
>> 
>> Realizing that there is a spirited consensus (based on remarks
>> posted in previous discussions) that we keep this list from becoming 
>> politically charged, I would like to momentarily step between adversaries
>> involved in the discussion on the media and oil spill science.
>> 
>> My fear is that without modification we may ultimately lose
>> the opportunity to candidly discuss issues that are in vital need 
>> of being aired among members of this forum. 
>> 
>> Considering that there is an obvious call for scientists to communicate
>> more directly with the public on so many contemporary issues, 
>> although fully unauthorized, I would like to make a suggestion.
>> 
>> When participants are identifying themselves (by citing credentials)
>> it might help to avoid undue controversy (and the associated
>> animus this sometimes creates) if they would freely reveal any
>> affiliations that might reflect even the potential for a conflict of interest. 
>> 
>> In this way, perhaps we can assure the continuation of these much needed
>> and valued discussions and, at the same time, be able to more accurately
>> assess and evaluate the opinions expressed without eliciting resentment.
>> 
>> 
>> Steve Mussman
>> Totally void of credentials worthy of mention.
>> Just an old diver and self-avowed ocean and marine life advocate.
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Coral-List mailing list
>> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
>> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
> 		 	   		  
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 5
> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:23:30 +1000
> From: "Anna Scott" <ascott at nmsc.edu.au>
> Subject: [Coral-List] ACRS Conference Registration - Reminder
> To: <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
> Message-ID: <01a801cb48cc$aa08e8f0$fe1abad0$@edu.au>
> Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"
> 
> Hi All
> 
> 
> 
> If you are planning on coming to the Australian Coral Reef Society
> Conference in Coffs Harbour (10-13th September 2010) it would be great if
> you could please register prior to this Friday, as we need to get final
> numbers to the venues for catering purposes etc. Registration and payment
> forms can be found at:
> http://www.australiancoralreefsociety.org/2010_conference_Registration.htm.
> Once complete they need to be sent to: acrs at cms.uq.edu.au 
> 
> 
> 
> Also we would encourage any students that are presenting to become a member
> of the Society (membership forms can be found at:
> http://www.australiancoralreefsociety.org/memberapplication.htm), this will
> enable you to be considered for the student awards. 
> 
> 
> 
> Looking forward to a great conference! 
> 
> 
> 
> Kind regards
> 
> Anna
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Anna Scott, PhD
> Associate Lecturer
> Treasurer, Australian Coral Reef Society
> Southern Cross University
> National Marine Science Centre
> PO Box J321
> Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
> Australia
> 
> Ph: +61 2 6648 3923
> Mob: 0421 181 484
> Fax: +61 2 6651 6580
> Email:  <mailto:ascott at nmsc.edu.au> ascott at nmsc.edu.au
> 
> Website:  <http://works.bepress.com/anna_scott/>
> http://works.bepress.com/anna_scott/
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 6
> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:51:31 -0400
> From: Jahson B <jahsonb at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Coral-List] Tobago Bleaching update
> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Message-ID:
> 	<AANLkTimxeKRkBg9H1=+8Ymy3H4b1265JNhFyrGwSk-OL at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> 
> Dear listers
> 
> As a follow up to my pervious post on "Coral bleaching and an unknown sponge
> disease in Tobago", I returned to a monitoring site, surveyed only 10 dys
> earlier, and I to my dismay, within the 20-40ft depth area there is mass
> mortality of the Giant Barrel Sponges (Xestospongia muta).  Some of the
> other songes are also looking a bit poorly, but not to the extent of
> mortality.  Samples have been retrieved for analysis both heathy and
> unhealthy looking X. muta.  That said, even heathy looking sponges were
> snapping off at their bases.  There is also wide spread bleaching,
> especially at the 23-35ft depth at Speyside, affecting most species
> (Montastrea faviolata, Siderastrea sidera, S. radians, all Diplorias, M.
> anularis, Millipora, octocorals etc). Speyside's reefs are generally sponge
> dominated, but the main reef building coral species are Montastrea
> faveolata, Siderastrea sidera, Diploria spp. and Madracis mirabilis.  At
> deeper depths, up to 60ft moderate bleaching was observed, and only of
> particular species (Meandrina meandrities and Siderastrea sidera).  The
> water temperature at this depth was quite warm, with temperature loggers
> recording on the reefs at 30ft showing temperatures up to 31 deg C.
> Interestingly some resiliency studies/models indicate that the longer lived
> and slower growing species, such as boulder corals (Montastreas and
> Siderastrea) are more resilient that branching species (Porities and
> Madracis), however very very little bleaching of M. mirabilis was observed.
> M. mirabilis can be found in extensive spreads in Speyside with octocorals,
> sponges, boulder and brain corals inter-dispersed.
> 
> Thus far the north eastern side of the island is the only location I've been
> able to follow up on, but I have received reports of increased bleaching
> along the Caribbean coast and south west of the island.
> 
> Jahson Alemu I
> Coral Reef Ecologist
> 
> 
> -- 
> Do what makes you Happy, Be with who makes you Smile! Laugh as much as you
> Breathe, live as long as you live!
> 
> "..only if people can figure out what in the world scientists are talking
> about and why they should care." Randy Olson
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
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