[Coral-List] The Spread of SCTLD

Thu May 25 03:04:06 UTC 2023

Hi colleagues,

Following Todd's appeal "let's try to keep the topics as factually based as
we can" I would like to mention a paper:

*Scleractinians of Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico: results of 1983-1984
investigation.*

It was published  in 2008. [not 2007] CICIMAR *Oceánides*. 22(1, 2): 45-116

I will be glad to provide a pdf.

Cheers,

Vassil

Vassil Zlatarski
D.Sc. (Biology), Ph.D. (Geology)

On Wed, May 24, 2023 at 7:29 PM Todd Barber via Coral-List <
coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:

> 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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