[Coral-List] The Spread of SCTLD

[Todd Barber]

Steve,


You are correct and it's a keen observation, in fact, a very reasonable
hypothesis is that STCLD is found more at dive sites than non-dived sites
because Scuba Divers are a defacto undersea monitoring system.  People
report reefs dying so we are alerted first in areas where people dive.
Either way, this is a scientific list so let's try to keep the topics as
factually based as we can.





Thanks,

Todd R Barber
Chairman, Reef Ball Foundation
712 Portia Street North, Nokomis, FL 34275
941-720-7549 (Cell & Google Voice)
www.reefballfoundation.org
www.reefbeach.com (Reefs for Beach Erosion)
Reef Ball World Mapping System
<https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1KrENaH-kJn_LCDrzCbgtW_1aW-ciY-M&usp=sharing>


On Wed, May 24, 2023 at 2:46 PM Steve Mussman via Coral-List <
coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:

>
>
> 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
>
> Sent from EarthLink Mobile mail
>
> 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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>
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>
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>
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