[Coral-List] Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Coral Bleaching Current Conditions Report

[Elizabeth Kehn]

  Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument issued an updated Coral 
Bleaching Current Conditions report last week.  This report can be 
viewed on our website at: 
http://papahanaumokuakea.gov/news/pdfs/current_condition_report7sep10..pdf

The main findings of the update are:

Analysis of satellite data by NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch Program estimates 
that accumulated temperature stress is approaching thresholds known to 
cause coral bleaching, but has not currently exceeded these levels 
(http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/virtual_stations/nwhi_virtualstations.html). 
Coral Reef Watch predictions suggest that the bleaching risk is greatest 
to Papahānaumokuākea’s northern atolls: Kure, Pearl and Hermes, and Midway.

These findings are consistent with measurements of sea water temperature 
recorded by a buoy at Kure Atoll. According to NOAA’s Coral Reef 
Ecosystem Division, current temperatures at Kure are above average for 
this time of year, based on a 30-year record.

A research cruise conducted by NOAA in August did not observe any 
incidents of coral bleaching. A September NOAA cruise is closely 
monitoring the situation, with an expectation that sea temperatures will 
reach their highest levels for the year in mid to late September.

For further information, please contact NOAA’s Research Coordinator for 
PMNM (heidi.schuttenberg at noaa.gov <mailto:heidi.schuttenberg at noaa.gov>).