[Coral-List] The Spread of SCTLD

[sealab at earthlink.net]

Recent developments related to the spread of SCTLD throughout the Caribbean have resulted in a number of dive destinations placing restrictions on scuba divers in an attempt to contain the spread of the disease. While some locations have taken an approach requiring disinfection of equipment as well limitations on specific dive sites, others have imposed no restrictions at all. From everything I can gather, SCTLD is known to be water-borne and fast spreading and likely bacterial. All of which raises a few questions for the coral disease experts here.

Does anyone know of any study that actually concluded that divers/diving equipment (used under normal circumstances) can carry and or transmit coral disease pathogens? Put another way, Is there actual hard evidence of divers as vectors of this or any other coral disease?

I did find evidence of one study that showed that wetsuit material can hold and transfer bacteria, but it was a lab experiment and did not seem to me to replicate what occurs in situ.

And what about marine life? Theoretically, could a bacterial pathogen be carried about by turtles, rays, crustaceans and such?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,

Steve Mussman

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