[Coral-List] SCTLD on Bonaire

[Steve Mussman]

Hi Mel,

I don’t know how there could be any science-based evidence that disinfecting scuba equipment is slowing or preventing the spread of SCTLD especially considering the fact that the specific pathogen involved has yet to be identified. However, my critique of the protocols affecting divers is also not founded on science. Mine is just a visceral reaction based solely on how I see divers interacting with infected corals and observations involving how the disinfection protocols are carried out in situ. There are just too many variables involved for this process to inspire confidence. While there is little known about the potential for scuba divers to serve as vectors of coral disease, there are a number of studies like this one: “Considering Commercial Vessels as Potential Vectors of Stony Coral Tissue Disease” https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.709764/full.

Simply put, we don’t know how this disease is spreading, but I would assert that we do know that it is at least reasonable to assume that ships are potential vectors - therefore why all the focus on divers (an untested entity) while cruise ships arriving from other known-to-be-infected islands are continuing to be allowed to tie up close to shore virtually on top of some of Bonaire’s shallow reefs close to where the disease was first detected?

Regards,

Steve

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On 7/23/23, 9:30 PM, Melbourne Briscoe <mel at briscoe.com> wrote:

There is a lot of discussion on the Bonaire forum of ScubaBroad about the presumed futility of restricting divers in order to slow the progressions of SCTLD there. Is there any evidence that this is actually helpful, or is it simply a precautionary approach based on hope?

- Mel Briscoe

On Sun, Jul 23, 2023 at 7:55 PM Steve Mussman via Coral-List <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov (mailto:coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov)> wrote:

I have several recent photos of SCTLD infected corals from the reefs of Bonaire if anyone is interested, they are available to share.

I also came across several pillar coral colonies that I’ve been informally monitoring over the years that have seemingly withstood multiple stressors including (so far) SCTLD. I’ve read that Dendrogyra cylindrus have been almost totally wiped out by SCTLD in Florida waters so I am wondering why they don’t suffer a similar fate on Bonaire. I’m guessing it has something to do with the fact that Bonaire’s waters have not yet warmed like Florida’s have. ( I have several pictures of what appear to be healthy pillar coral from Bonaire as well).

Considering that paper on SCTLD and butterflyfish - what about other species as potential vectors? I have a good shot of a lizardfish laying directly upon a healthy star coral. It seems that there are multitudes of possible suspects. Although I faithfully disinfected my scuba gear as directed, I couldn’t help but feel like I was participating in a modern day version of a rain dance ritual.

On a more positive note, a welcomed respite, there were no cruise ships barging in on Bonaire the entire week.

Regards,

Steve Mussman

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