[Coral-List] The Spread of SCTLD

[Steve Mussman]

Dear Rupert,

I still have not been able to find any studies (beyond the questionable one I mentioned earlier) that substantiate the concept of divers as vectors of coral disease. I’m not attempting to defend the diving industry’s environmental impacts or policies as I’ve been an outspoken critic of their lack of leadership on these issues for years. But in this case, divers are being singled out while what seem to be more obvious, potential spreaders are given a pass. Consider the fact that in Cozumel, Mexico SCTLD was first identified on Paradise Reef, an area where cruise ships (and cargo ships) dock daily. Same holds true for where the disease was first found more recently on Bonaire. As for Grand Cayman, I just received information indicating that SCTLD has been found on sites generally inaccessible to divers. By the same token, I was told that the disease has not yet found its way to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, smaller, sister islands that are popular dive spots, but never visited by cruise ships. In light of these revelations it seems like a knee-jerk reaction to place restrictions on divers. Beyond that, these policies serve to strongly suggest that divers are the primary vectors all the while conveniently deflecting attention away from other, perhaps more “inconvenient” potential spreaders of coral disease.

Regards,

Steve Mussman

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On 5/22/23, 9:25 AM, Rupert Ormond via Coral-List <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:

Steve,

My understanding is that there is quite good evidence from the Cayman

Islands that SCTLD is being spread by divers and / or diveboats (in

ballast tanks?). I believe the main evidence is that they are mainly

finding SCTLD at dive sites (which are designated with mooring buoys

etc.) but not or very little on the stretches of reef in between where

diving is not permitted.

I believe a report on this is due, but at this stage you should probably

contact the Dept of Environment there for more information, if required.

sincerely,

Rupert

Rupert Ormond

Co-Director, Marine Conservation International

Hon. Professor, Centre for Marine Biodiversity & Biotechnology,

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh

Editor REEF ENCOUNTER (news journal of the International Coral Reef Society)

On 27/04/2023 13:09, Steve via Coral-List wrote:

> 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

>

> Sent from EarthLink Mobile mail

>

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