From astrong at nesdis.noaa.gov Tue Sep 1 09:58:44 1998 From: astrong at nesdis.noaa.gov (astrong at nesdis.noaa.gov) Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 09:58:44 -0400 Subject: Bleaching expanding in Caribbean Message-ID: <199809011358.JAA22411@orbit34i.nesdis.noaa.gov> HotSpot Notes -- September 1, 1998 NOAA satellite data show "HotSpots" and related coral reef bleaching has expanded considerably southward into the Caribbean [excessive ocean surface temperatures appear to be fueling Hurricane Danielle as it moves to the NW of Bermuda, away from the upwelled track left by Hurricane Bonnie: http://psbsgi1.nesdis.noaa.gov:8080/PSB/EPS/SST/data/anomnight.9.1.1998.gif]: Florida Keys* Belize Cozumel Honduras Panama Grand Cayman+* Virgin Islands- Lesser Antilles - southern+ Dutch Antilles-* Also: Bermuda+ Bahamas-* Baja - Cabo San Lucas Over the Eastern Hemisphere: Red Sea [central & south] Philippines [all except SW areas]** Okinawa area & S. Japan* Gulf of Oman Arabian Sea* Verifications appreciated... [+ = increasing; - = decreasing; * = verified] AES **** <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ***** Alan E. Strong Phys Scientist/Oceanographer Adj Assoc Res Professor NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/ORAD -- E/RA3 US Naval Academy NOAA Science Center -- RM 711W Oceanography Department 5200 Auth Road Annapolis, MD 21402 Camp Springs, MD 20746-4304 410-293-6550 Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov 301-763-8102 x170 FAX: 301-763-8108 http://manati.wwb.noaa.gov/orad From astrong at nesdis.noaa.gov Tue Sep 1 13:28:16 1998 From: astrong at nesdis.noaa.gov (astrong at nesdis.noaa.gov) Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 13:28:16 -0400 Subject: CORRECTION -- Bleaching expanding in Caribbean Message-ID: <199809011728.NAA22708@orbit34i.nesdis.noaa.gov> ...ADD Jamaica to the list of bleaching potential... HotSpot Notes -- September 1, 1998 NOAA satellite data show "HotSpots" and related coral reef bleaching has expanded considerably southward into the Caribbean [excessive ocean surface temperatures appear to be fueling Hurricane Danielle as it moves to the NW of Bermuda, away from the upwelled track left by Hurricane Bonnie: http://psbsgi1.nesdis.noaa.gov:8080/PSB/EPS/SST/data/anomnight.9.1.1998.gif]: Florida Keys* Belize Cozumel Jamaica+ Honduras Panama Grand Cayman+* Virgin Islands- Lesser Antilles - southern+ Dutch Antilles-* Also: Bermuda+ Bahamas-* Baja - Cabo San Lucas Over the Eastern Hemisphere: Red Sea [central & south] Philippines [all except SW areas]** Okinawa area & S. Japan* Gulf of Oman Arabian Sea* Verifications appreciated... [+ = increasing; - = decreasing; * = verified] AES **** <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ***** Alan E. Strong Phys Scientist/Oceanographer Adj Assoc Res Professor NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/ORAD -- E/RA3 US Naval Academy NOAA Science Center -- RM 711W Oceanography Department 5200 Auth Road Annapolis, MD 21402 Camp Springs, MD 20746-4304 410-293-6550 Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov 301-763-8102 x170 FAX: 301-763-8108 http://manati.wwb.noaa.gov/orad From woodley at uwimona.edu.jm Tue Sep 1 13:12:44 1998 From: woodley at uwimona.edu.jm (Jeremy Woodley) Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 12:12:44 -0500 (GMT-0500) Subject: Bleaching expanding in Caribbean In-Reply-To: <199809011358.JAA22411@orbit34i.nesdis.noaa.gov> Message-ID: Jamaica has not been on your lists for a while, nor has there yet been any major bleaching at Discovery Bay: but the SST last Wednesday was 29.9C. Jeremy Woodley On Tue, 1 Sep 1998 astrong at nesdis.noaa.gov wrote: > HotSpot Notes -- September 1, 1998 > > NOAA satellite data show "HotSpots" and related coral reef > bleaching has expanded considerably southward into the > Caribbean [excessive ocean surface temperatures appear to be > fueling Hurricane Danielle as it moves to the NW of Bermuda, > away from the upwelled track left by Hurricane Bonnie: > http://psbsgi1.nesdis.noaa.gov:8080/PSB/EPS/SST/data/anomnight.9.1.1998.gif]: > > Florida Keys* > Belize > Cozumel > Honduras > Panama > Grand Cayman+* > Virgin Islands- > Lesser Antilles - southern+ > Dutch Antilles-* > > Also: > Bermuda+ > Bahamas-* > Baja - Cabo San Lucas > > Over the Eastern Hemisphere: > > Red Sea [central & south] > Philippines [all except SW areas]** > Okinawa area & S. Japan* > Gulf of Oman > Arabian Sea* > > Verifications appreciated... > [+ = increasing; - = decreasing; * = verified] > > AES > **** <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ***** > Alan E. Strong > Phys Scientist/Oceanographer Adj Assoc Res Professor > NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/ORAD -- E/RA3 US Naval Academy > NOAA Science Center -- RM 711W Oceanography Department > 5200 Auth Road Annapolis, MD 21402 > Camp Springs, MD 20746-4304 410-293-6550 > Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov > 301-763-8102 x170 FAX: 301-763-8108 > http://manati.wwb.noaa.gov/orad > > From iclarm at caribsurf.com Tue Sep 1 12:36:15 1998 From: iclarm at caribsurf.com (ICLARM CEPO) Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 13:36:15 -0300 Subject: Reef Encounter - call for contributions Message-ID: <19980901201239484.AAB333.445@default> REEF ENCOUNTER No. 24 NEWSLETTER OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR REEF STUDIES CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS Dear all, We are currently looking for articles for the next issue of Reef Encounter. We would welcome contributions from a few hundred words to a couple of pages on any aspect of reef studies, including news, comments, short reviews (but not original scientific data) and especially illustrations/cartoons. Our deadline is 1st October and text sent by email is strongly preferred. You can also send illustrations (and text if desired) to the address at the end of this message. Please email your articles to one of us at: Maggie Watson, iclarm at caribsurf.com David Obura, dobura at africaonline.co.ke Kristian Teleki, kat1003 at cus.cam.ac.uk If you are interested in joining the International Society for Reef Studies and receiving Reef Encounter please contact Callum Roberts, cr10 at york.ac.uk Thanks, Maggie, David and Kristian ____________________________________________ ICLARM Caribbean/Eastern Pacific Office, c/o Conservation and Fisheries Department, P.O. Box 3323, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Tel.:1-284-494 5681(office hours) or 1-284-496 6055 (mobile - any time) Fax: 1-284-494 2670 e-mail: iclarm at caribsurf.com ============================================ From pdustan at zeus.cofc.edu Tue Sep 1 19:36:12 1998 From: pdustan at zeus.cofc.edu (Phillip Dustan) Date: Tue, 01 Sep 1998 16:36:12 -0700 Subject: Applications invited for Director of Marine Biology Graduate Program Message-ID: <3.0.32.19980901163612.00bc33f0@zeus.cofc.edu> Director, Graduate Program in Marine Biology Applications are invited for the Director of the M.S. Degree Program in Marine Biology at the University of Charleston, South Carolina. The position involves 50% administrative duties and 50% research and teaching. The program is housed at the Grice Marine Laboratory at Fort Johnson on Charleston Harbor. The graduate faculty comprises over 100 individuals from the Univ. of Charleston and other Fort Johnson institutions including the Marine Resources Research Institute of the SC DNR, the Medical U. of South Carolina, the NOAA/NOS Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, and The Citadel. The eleven-month appointment carries faculty status at the Associate Professor or Professor level in the Dept. of Biology at the College/University of Charleston. Candidates should have: 1) demonstrated scientific achievement as evidenced by publications and a record of externally funded research in marine biology, 2) teaching experience in graduate and undergraduate programs, 3) administrative experience, particularly in a marine laboratory/university setting. An earned Ph.D. is required. Applicants should submit by 6 November1998, a curriculum vita, recent publications, and three letters of reference to: Chair, Dept. of Biology, University of Charleston, Charleston, SC 29424. Further information is available at www.cofc.edu/~biology/biology.htm. The University of Charleston is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and encourages applications from women and minorities. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Phillip Dustan pdustan at zeus.cofc.edu Department of Biology www.cofc.edu/~coral College of Charleston Charleston SC 29424 (843) 953-8086 (843)953-5453 Fax From BPrecht at kennesaw.Lawco.com Tue Sep 1 14:14:24 1998 From: BPrecht at kennesaw.Lawco.com (Precht,Bill) Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 14:14:24 -0400 Subject: CORRECTION -- Bleaching expanding in Caribbean Message-ID: <831C92FC9CDFD1118B3B00A0C9AB304F02ACC5@miami-1.wins.lawco.com> Just returned from the Bahamas after a week long reef monitoring trip. Corals of the central Bahamas show extensive bleaching. Over 60% of all head corals are bleached to a depth of 20 meters around New Providence Island. Extensive bleaching (around 80%) between 15-20 meters depth. Montastrea cavernosa not bleached at all at any site or at any depth. Acropora palmata bleached on the upper sides of only the shallow most branches at Goulding Cay and Andros Island. Local dive operators consider this to be most extensive bleaching event known to date. Note surface water temps cooled by 2 degrees C in approximately 48 hours after the passage of large, long-period swell generated by Hurricane Bonnie. William F. Precht Natural Resources Manager LAW Engineering & Environmental Services, Inc. 5845 NW 158th Street Miami Lakes, FL 33014 ph (305) 826-5588 fax (305) 826-1799 > -----Original Message----- > From: astrong at nesdis.noaa.gov [SMTP:astrong at nesdis.noaa.gov] > Sent: Tuesday, September 01, 1998 1:28 PM > To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > Cc: apaterson at ocean.nos.noaa.gov; bbest at usaid.gov; > cbarrientos at nesdis.noaa.gov; jdaguanno at nesdis.noaa.gov; > jpurdom at nesdis.noaa.gov; J.McManus at CGNET.COM; > ldantzler at nesdis.noaa.gov; eakin at ogp.noaa.gov; > Michael.Crosby at noaa.gov; mvanwoert at nesdis.noaa.gov; pthomas at state.gov; > rhayes at fac.howard.edu; Roger.B.Griffis at noaa.gov; goreau at bestweb.net; > Tom.Hourigan at noaa.gov > Subject: CORRECTION -- Bleaching expanding in Caribbean > > ...ADD Jamaica to the list of bleaching potential... > > > HotSpot Notes -- September 1, 1998 > > NOAA satellite data show "HotSpots" and related coral reef > bleaching has expanded considerably southward into the > Caribbean [excessive ocean surface temperatures appear to be > fueling Hurricane Danielle as it moves to the NW of Bermuda, > away from the upwelled track left by Hurricane Bonnie: > http://psbsgi1.nesdis.noaa.gov:8080/PSB/EPS/SST/data/anomnight.9.1.199 > 8.gif]: > > Florida Keys* > Belize > Cozumel > Jamaica+ > Honduras > Panama > Grand Cayman+* > Virgin Islands- > Lesser Antilles - southern+ > Dutch Antilles-* > > Also: > Bermuda+ > Bahamas-* > Baja - Cabo San Lucas > > Over the Eastern Hemisphere: > > Red Sea [central & south] > Philippines [all except SW areas]** > Okinawa area & S. Japan* > Gulf of Oman > Arabian Sea* > > Verifications appreciated... > [+ = increasing; - = decreasing; * = verified] > > AES > > **** <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< > ***** > Alan E. Strong > Phys Scientist/Oceanographer Adj Assoc Res > Professor > NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/ORAD -- E/RA3 US Naval Academy > NOAA Science Center -- RM 711W Oceanography > Department > 5200 Auth Road Annapolis, MD > 21402 > Camp Springs, MD 20746-4304 410-293-6550 > Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov > 301-763-8102 x170 FAX: 301-763-8108 > http://manati.wwb.noaa.gov/orad From reefkeeper at earthlink.net Tue Sep 1 14:27:03 1998 From: reefkeeper at earthlink.net (Alexander Stone) Date: Tue, 01 Sep 1998 18:27:03 +0000 Subject: US Caribbean half-time position Message-ID: <35EC3C79.5124@earthlink.net> U.S. Caribbean Conservation Representative half-time opportunity Earn US$850 a month working 20 hours a week on assignments to protect coral reefs DESCRIPTION: As an Independent Contractor, you will work from your own work-place to monitor regulatory actions on coral reef issues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, prepare written comments on proposed regulatory actions, attend and report on agency and citizen group meetings, make verbal comments at public hearings, and speak on issues at citizen group meetings. REEFKEEPER INTERNATIONAL:We are an international non-profit conservation organization exclusively dedicated to the protection of coral reefs and their marine life. Campaigns center on achieving sustainable reef fisheries and protecting coral reefs from dredging, pollution, and coastal development. COMPENSATION: As an Independent Contractor, you will receive a monthly retainer of $850, based on completion of a set of specific monthly assignments requiring approximately 20 hours a week. ASSIGNMENT COMPONENTS: o monitor regulatory agencies by phone regarding coral reef issues o review & report on regulatory & permitting proposals affecting coral reefs o prepare written comments on regulatory and permitting proposals o attend & report on DAYTIME agency meetings (two - three times a month) o deliver verbal comments at EVENING public hearings o attend and provide issue information at civic group EVENING meetings REQUIREMENTS: o English-Spanish bilingual speaker o ability to interpret biological & ecological information o good writing (English) and speaking abilities o attention to detail & organization o have personal transportation to reach meetings & hearings in San Juan o flexibility to make 1-day trips to Virgin Islands once a month PREFERENCES: o familiarity with coral reefs & marine resource issues o certified SCUBA diver o located within commuting distance of San Juan TO APPLY: Send a letter of interest and resume outlining your qualifications, and a writing sample (term paper, etc) BY OCT.5TH to our Miami Operations Center. ReefKeeper International 2809 Bird Avenue - Suite 162 / Miami, FL 33133 e-mail: reefkeeper at earthlink.net fax (305) 358-3030 From edcolijn at bart.nl Tue Sep 1 18:36:29 1998 From: edcolijn at bart.nl (Ed Colijn) Date: Wed, 02 Sep 1998 00:36:29 +0200 Subject: [Fwd: WWF job announcement] Message-ID: <35EC76ED.BC6B3745@bart.nl> FYI. -- Ed Colijn edcolijn at bart.nl The Indonesian Nature Conservation Database http://www.bart.nl/~edcolijn/ -------------- next part -------------- An embedded message was scrubbed... From: donnelm%dccmc at CENMARINE.COM Subject: WWF job announcement Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 14:09:06 -0400 Size: 9008 Url: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/19980902/375f658c/attachment.mht From dbronk at arches.uga.edu Tue Sep 1 07:00:14 1998 From: dbronk at arches.uga.edu (Debbie Bronk) Date: Tue, 01 Sep 1998 11:00:14 +0000 Subject: Matson's message Message-ID: <199809021156.LAA14416@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Dear Coral-List, I feel compelled to respond to Mr. Matson=92s diatribe against a new student in my laboratory. Jason See has been working on an exhaustive literature search since arriving several weeks ago at the University of Georgia. His interest is the intracellular assimilation of nitrogen by corals. Though there appears to be an abundant literature prior to 1983, he found that it gets pretty sparse after that for some reason. Why? Though I do study nitrogen cycling in marine and aquatic systems, I am not familiar with the literature on coral physiology so I couldn=92t advise him on reasons for the apparent lack of interest in the topic. As part of his research, he found the coral list server and thought that might be a way to get more information. I encouraged him to do it, thinking that it would be a good way to meet people in the field informally. I further encouraged him to keep the message short which may have resulted in the negative view of his request. Jason was in no way suggesting that someone do a literature search for him. He was trying to find references that he may have missed but more importantly to see what people were working on now. Did anyone have a paper in press or submitted that they would be willing to share? Who is working on intracellular nitrogen uptake in corals at the moment? Collecting this type of information is necessary and prudent before choosing a thesis topic - you don=92t want to spend years working on a project just to find that someone is already well on the well to publishing a similar study. Jason is a hard-working enthusiastic new student and his e-mail message on the coral list serve was his first foray into contacting a broader scientific community. Mr. Matson=92s response was rude and highly inappropriate. The fact that he made the announcement public is unconscionable. If you are busy, ignore the message. If you have pertinent information you would care to share, please do so. Students should be encouraged every step of the way. They are our future colleagues and collaborators and we should help them become the best scientists they can be. In closing, I thank the many researchers who took the time to pen a note or make a phone call to apologize for Mr. Matson=92s behavior - you were the silver lining on a very bad experience. With regards, Debbie Bronk Assistant Professor From vanesef at yahoo.com Tue Sep 1 16:01:49 1998 From: vanesef at yahoo.com (Vanese Flood) Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 13:01:49 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Questionable Subscriber attitudes Message-ID: <199809021151.LAA14358@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Dear Coral list, I can't help but wonder what sort of "list" I'm on? The recent exceedingly rude response to a subscriber is unnecessary and prohibitive to progress. If this is going to be the tone, then please remove me from the list. I have enjoyed the discussions and have found much of it to be of assistance professionally and academically. Vanese Flood From lizard at amsg.austmus.gov.au Tue Sep 1 19:33:17 1998 From: lizard at amsg.austmus.gov.au (lizard) Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1998 10:33:17 +1100 Subject: 1999 Lizard Island Doctoral Fellowship Message-ID: <199809021157.LAA14462@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Coral reef PhD students - don't forget .... closing date for the 1999 Lizard Island Doctoral Fellowship (Great Barrier Reef, Australia) is ****************** * 1 October 1998 * ****************** For information, see: http://www.austmus.gov.au/science/projects/lizard/lizfello.htm ________________________________________________________________________ Dr Anne Hoggett and Dr Lyle Vail, Directors Lizard Island Research Station PMB 37 Cairns QLD 4871 Australia Phone and fax: + 61 (0)7 4060-3977 lizard at amsg.austmus.gov.au http://www.austmus.gov.au/science/projects/lizard/ ________________________________________________________________________ From dthoney at idt.net Wed Sep 2 13:49:10 1998 From: dthoney at idt.net (Dennis A. Thoney, Ph.D.) Date: Wed, 02 Sep 1998 13:49:10 -0400 Subject: Post doc advertisement Message-ID: <35ED8516.6F5E@idt.net> Attached is a Post Doctorate job annoucement. -- Dennis A. Thoney, Ph.D. General Curator New York Aquarium Wildlife Conservation Society Boardwalk and West 8th St. Brooklyn, NY 11224 www.wcs.org -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: postdoc.txt.wpd Type: application/wordperfect5.1 Size: 5255 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/19980902/19dd64b6/attachment.bin From Steneck at maine.maine.edu Wed Sep 2 23:01:39 1998 From: Steneck at maine.maine.edu (Bob Steneck) Date: Wed, 2 Sep 98 23:01:39 -0400 Subject: Benthic Ecology Meeting Message-ID: <199809030304.XAA21328@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Dear Colleagues, The 1999 Benthic Ecology Meeting will be held in Baton Rouge, LA, March 25-28. This is the largest annual meeting of marine benthic ecologists in the United States and it is becoming more international every year. If you are interested but have not received an announcement for this meeting from Kevin Carman (one of the hosts), you should send your e-mail address to: bem99 at unix1.sncc.lsu.edu. Past years there have been excellent papers about coral reefs. Perhaps I'll see you there. Sincerely, Bob Steneck ---------------------------- Robert S. Steneck, Ph.D. Professor, School of Marine Sciences University of Maine Darling Marine Center Walpole, ME 04573 207 - 563 - 3146 e-mail: Steneck at Maine.EDU The School of Marine Sciences Web site: http://www.ume.maine.edu/~marine/marine.html From bhaskell at ocean.nos.noaa.gov Thu Sep 3 12:24:55 1998 From: bhaskell at ocean.nos.noaa.gov (Haskell, Ben) Date: 3 Sep 1998 12:24:55 -0400 Subject: More Florida Keys Bleaching Message-ID: Below are my snorkeling observations on 8/25/98 of coral bleaching in the Western Sambo Ecological Reserve in the lower Florida Keys along an offshore to inshore transect. Not meant to be a comprehensive account of all corals. Definitions: Intensity of bleaching (whiteness): low, moderate, heavy, mortality Cover of bleaching: X% Offshore Buttress Zone: Depth: 35' Temp: 26C (this seems low to me but that's what YSI meter read at 35', 30C at surface) Overall bleaching: moderate, 60-80% bleaching cover M. annularis: moderate to heavy, 50-80% cover C. natans: moderate, 40-60% cover Sid. sid: light A. cervicornis: mod-heavy, 60-80% Reef crest: Millepora: heavy, 100% cover A. palmata: heavy, 80% Back Reef: A. palmata: heavy, some mortality with algal overgrowth, 90% cover Offshore patch reef (behind back reef): Temp: 31C Depth: 20-30' Sid. sid: heavy, 80-100% cover (note difference between here and offshore) E. fastigiata: moderate Mid Channel Patch Reef (in Hawk's Channel- our equivalent to a lagoon except deeper and chronically turbid- contains many luxuriant patch reefs with immense soft corals (2 m high)): Depth: 10' Temp: 31C M. cavernosa: moderate, 60-80% cover M. ann.: moderate, 60-80% cover From dthoney at idt.net Thu Sep 3 16:14:30 1998 From: dthoney at idt.net (Dennis A. Thoney, Ph.D.) Date: Thu, 03 Sep 1998 16:14:30 -0400 Subject: Post Doc advertisement Message-ID: <35EEF8A6.9FD@idt.net> I am resubmitting the post doc advertisement as text since some were unable to open it. -- Dennis A. Thoney, Ph.D. General Curator New York Aquarium Wildlife Conservation Society Boardwalk and West 8th St. Brooklyn, NY 11224 www.wcs.org -------------- next part -------------- The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), was founded in 1895 as the New York Zoological Society. WCS now manages over 250 wildlife conservation projects in over 52 countries. In New York City, WCS operates the Bronx Zoo, the New York Aquarium, the Osborn Laboratories of Marine Sciences, and the Central Park, Prospect Park, and Queens Wildlife Centers. WCS also manages the St. Catherine's Island Wildlife Survival Center, a facility for studying and breeding endangered species located off the Georgia coast. The mission of WCS's Osborn Laboratories of Marine Sciences (OLMS) is completely devoted to conservation research. OLMS research programs focus on: 1. Fisheries (improved quantitative assessment and fishery analysis, bycatch, coastal sharks & migratory fishes, and international artisanal & freshwater fisheries); 2. Coral Ecosystems (coral aquaculture & basic biology, coral ecosystem ecology, and coral microbiology & parasitology); 3. Coastal Ecosystems (environmental biology & assessment); and, 4. Aquaculture Technology (new technologies for advancing capabilities for culturing and studying aquatic species and habitats). WCS has a long history of field-based research and conservation in the marine environment, including projects in Belize and Kenya on corals and reef management and the effects of fishing on reef ecosystems, and many projects on marine mammals particularly in Argentina and Peru related to growing conflicts with local fisheries. Concurrently, the development of a coral research and aquaculture facility in the Osborn Labs has expanded WCS's capabilities for basic, quantitative research on the effects of environmental change and specific human impacts on corals as well as on coral diseases. As an important part of the OLMS conservation research program, WCS is seeking to fill a new position: Post Doctoral Research Fellow in Coral Biology & Ecology. This position will help develop the coral research program using laboratory-based research to support conservation efforts. The Post Doc in Coral Biology & Ecology will report to the Director of the Coral Laboratory, and will directly coordinate and supervise the Coral Laboratory Assistant Research Technician and Graduate Students. The successful candidate will: conduct laboratory and field research in coral reef biology; publish scientific research conducted in the laboratory and the field; assist in identifying, attracting, and acquiring both short- and long-term funding necessary to implement the development of coral reef research and conservation programs; provide technical support for WCS's marine policy initiatives; and, participate in and represent WCS at scientific conferences. Qualifications: Ph.D. in marine ecology, marine biology or closely related field, strong background experience in coral research, propagation of marine organisms, and a demonstrated publication capability with strong interpersonal, presentation, and team skills. Please send curriculum vitae, a summary statement of your research and conservation interests, and references to: Dr. Paul J. Boyle, Director, Osborn Laboratories of Marine Sciences, New York Aquarium, Boardwalk & West 8th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11224, or to pboyle at idt.net . The Wildlife Conservation Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. From coral at aoml.noaa.gov Fri Sep 4 08:04:57 1998 From: coral at aoml.noaa.gov (Coral Workstation at NOAA/AOML) Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1998 08:04:57 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Bleaching, Spawing Archives Updated Message-ID: <199809041207.MAA04814@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Ladies & Gents, The list of reports of coral bleaching and spawning--as reported through coral-list--has been updated and can be located via the links under "Data" on the CHAMP Home Page at URL: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | | Coral Health and Monitoring Program | | Ocean Chemistry Division | | Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory | | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | | Miami, Florida | | USA | | | | Email: coral at coral.aoml.noaa.gov | | World-Wide Web: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov | | | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From gcarter at orf.org Thu Sep 3 21:05:06 1998 From: gcarter at orf.org (Greg L. Carter) Date: Thu, 03 Sep 1998 18:05:06 -0700 Subject: ORF Newsletter Message-ID: <35EF3CC2.2AD7F65C@orf.org> Greetings Coral-Listers! The Summer 98 issue of Currents, the quarterly newsletter of the Oceanic Resource Foundation has been posted to the ORF website. This newsletter is in Adobe Acrobat Reader pdf file format. There is a direct link on the ORF web page to the Adobe website where Acrobat Reader may be downloaded free. The website version is published prior to the printed version by about 2 weeks. Beginning with this issue the web version will be in a color format and this issue includes a page of color photos of some coral diseases that will not be included in the printed version. This issue is focused on coral reefs and includes information about diseases, bleaching and restoration efforts. Featured articles have been provided by James Cervino of the Global Coral Reef Alliance, Katharina Fabricius of AIMS, and Robin and Andrew Bruckner of the University of Puerto Rico and NOAA. At ORF we are very excited about this issue as we move to a more technical format. We hope you enjoy our publication and we welcome your comments and input. If you would like to receive the printed version, please email your postal address to gcarter at orf.org. Our organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit group supported through memberships and contributions. The newsletter is distributed free but we encourage your support. Regards, Greg -- Greg L. Carter Oceanic Resource Foundation gcarter at orf.org Celebrate the Year of the Ocean 1998 http://www.orf.org From eamatson at uog9.uog.edu Mon Sep 7 06:17:39 1998 From: eamatson at uog9.uog.edu (Ernie Matson) Date: Mon, 7 Sep 1998 20:17:39 +1000 (GMT+1000) Subject: Jason See experiment In-Reply-To: <19980827022222.4088.qmail@hotmail.com> Message-ID: Hey 'yall.. Well the votes are in after 10 ten days (but a fortnight update will follow). After receiving a broadcast request from Jason See, I jumped in his britches over MY IMPRESSION of him wanting to have others do his research for him. I responded to the entire list, just to see what kind of response I'd get. I got clobbered. But only a political election type clobbering. Of those doctors who responded (sound familiar FDA?), 62 % told me to shut up and go away, while others in that group suggested more specific remedies for my attitude. At an N of 32, I plead what most us do when we can't interpret our data..we don't have enough. The other 38% were closet grumps who were glad I said it but wouldn't do it themselves. Jim Hendee provided a nice reminder that I was an A#$%^e, and sent Jason THE good refs, all of which were in the hard literature. Jim's right, as usual. Sorry for all the wrung hankies out there in coralist land, but the iron was hot, so to speak, and I poked. Ciao Ernie Matson From GottoK at bp.com Mon Sep 7 06:53:17 1998 From: GottoK at bp.com (Gotto, Katharine (Conservation)) Date: Mon, 7 Sep 1998 11:53:17 +0100 Subject: =?ISO-8859-1?Q?=A354=2C000_for_conservation_research?= Message-ID: ?54,000 AVAILABLE FOR CONSERVATION RESEARCH IN 1999 University students are invited to enter the 1999 BP Conservation Programme to secure funding, support and training for international conservation research projects which address global priorities at a local level. All projects applying for an award must focus on a conservation issue of global importance, have a majority of the team members in full or part-time education and have strong links with the country where the project will take place. Teams planning to work within their own country are also eligible. Each year, the Programme presents awards and training to thirteen teams - ?5,000 is given to the four best projects; ?3,000 is received by eight runner-up projects and the top 'Follow-Up' Award of ?10,000 is presented to the best proposal for follow-up work submitted by a previous winner. Celebrating its 14th year in 1999, the BP Conservation Programme is the result of a long-term partnership between wildlife conservation organisations BirdLife International and Fauna & Flora International, and The British Petroleum Company plc. Since 1985, the Programme has helped 117 international student teams to implement conservation research objectives in 45 countries. - The closing date for applications is 16 November 1998 - > Further information about this Programme and an application form are > available on the web in English, Spanish and French (with summaries in > Chinese and Japanese): http://www.bp.com/conservation/ > > or from Katharine Gotto, Programme Manager, BirdLife > International/FFI, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge, CB3 ONA, > UK. Tel: +44 1223 277318 Fax: +44 1223 277200 Email: > bp-conservation-programme at birdlife.org.uk > > > > > > From glover at btl.net Mon Sep 7 12:45:48 1998 From: glover at btl.net (Tom Bright) Date: Mon, 7 Sep 1998 10:45:48 -0600 Subject: Coral Bleaching Message-ID: <771871DC11C3.AAA46C@wgs1.btl.net> ********************************************** MEMORANDUM TO: Dylan Gomez, Chairman, Belize National Coral Reef Monitoring Committee (NCRM) FROM: Thomas J. Bright, Station Manager, Glover's Reef Marine Research Station SUBJECT: Random report, coral bleaching DATE: Sept. 2, 1998 On Sept. 2, 1998, I was anchored at Crawl Caye at the north end of the Victoria Channel ( 16 deg.35.89 min. N, 88 deg. 13.51 min. W). I snorkeled on a patch reef just south of Crawl Caye and observed the following: -About 85 % of the Montastrea annularis (knobby), down to a depth of 10 feet or so, were severely "bleached", having a color approximately that of the "almond" hue often used on kitchen appliances. Bleaching was also noticed on Siderastrea. -The water temperature in the upper foot or two of the water column was very high, greater than my body temperature, and feeling like a hot bath. -There was a sharp thermocline and below 3 feet depth the water temperature was comparatively cool and "normal". -The upper 6 inches of the water column was brown, an indication of a phytoplankton bloom at the surface. -There had been little wind for at least the previous 7 days (I have been unable to sail my boat for that time and have been motoring- These are called the "Calms of August"). This means wind forced mixing of surface waters has been minimal, thus allowing overheating of the upper layer, and thermal stratification. -I suspect that the overheated upper layer can be a source of unusually high temperature water which by some process may contact the corals on these shallow patch reefs down to 10 or more feet depth (some coral heads are within 2 feet of the surface), thereby causing bleaching. Hypothetically, a passing thunderstorm might cause vertical mixing?? This is a random observation of a stressful event on a lagoonal patch reef in Belize. I don't know how widespread such occurrences are on these reefs (you probably have more info.) but I suspect they are not uncommon. I wonder if these shallow corals experience mortality following such a bleaching, or do they regain their zooxanthellae and take it in stride. Considering their importance as lobster habitat, I hope they are well adapted to occasional bleaching episodes. Dr. Thomas J. Bright, Station Manager WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY Glover's Reef Marine Research Station PO Box 2310 Belize City, Belize Ph./Fax. 011-501-02-33855 (Belize City) Ph. 011-501-05-22153 (Middle Caye) E-mail Website From bhaskell at ocean.nos.noaa.gov Fri Sep 11 11:59:29 1998 From: bhaskell at ocean.nos.noaa.gov (Haskell, Ben) Date: 11 Sep 1998 11:59:29 -0400 Subject: Bleaching in Palau Message-ID: Dear Coral listers- I am forwarding a bleaching report from Dr. Pat Colin, Coral Reef Research Foundation, Palau: "We're having a major coral bleaching event here in Palau now. The water is 87-89 degrees F and about 75% of corals in water less than 50 feet are bleached. Don't know what the eventual impact will be, but looks really awful now." From jware at erols.com Fri Sep 11 14:12:18 1998 From: jware at erols.com (John Ware) Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 14:12:18 -0400 Subject: Reef definition and sponge spawning. Message-ID: <35F96802.D61B94D0@erols.com> Dear Listers, A group of recreational divers observed and photographed spawning of a large number of sponges at Watkins Wedge, Pompano Beach, Florida. The sponges were photographed at between 8:56 and 9:35 AM on August 15, 1998 in 50 - 60 feet of water. From the photos I have identified the sponge as almost surely *Xestospongia muta*. No other species were observed to be spawning at this time. With regard to definitions of coral reef. I am still sifting through the 30 or so replies I have received. Unfortunately, setting up and running a new business has slowed me down somewhat. A number of people stated that they would like to obtain a definition sooner. If you are one of those, contact me and we can chat about my preliminary conclusions. Thanks and good diving, John -- *********************************************************** * * * John R. Ware, PhD * * President * * SeaServices, Inc. * * 19572 Club House Road * * Gaithersburg, MD, 20886, USA * * 301 987-8507 * * jware at erols.com * * * * _ * * ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * * _|__ * * | _ | * * _______________________| |______ * * |\/__ Sea Services, Inc. \ * * |/\__________________________________/ * *********************************************************** From aszmant at rsmas.miami.edu Fri Sep 11 15:39:35 1998 From: aszmant at rsmas.miami.edu (Alina Szmant) Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 15:39:35 -0400 Subject: Bleaching in the Florida Keys Message-ID: <199809111939.PAA17215@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Just when you think you understand the system.... This week we noticed early signs of recovery of bleached corals at an inshore patch reef known as the Rocks, where the corals have been SEVERELY bleached since early June, and where water temperatures over 32 oC were recorded with a Ryan thermograph. This has happened about the same time as corals (same species) have begun to bleach (only since mid-late August) at offshore reef sites such at Little Grecian and Key Largo Dry Rocks. At this time, there does not appear to have been much bleaching mortality at the inshore site despite the prolonged and severe state of bleaching there. ********************************************** Dr. Alina M. Szmant Coral Reef Research Group RSMAS-MBF University of Miami 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy. Miami FL 33149 TEL: (305)361-4609 FAX: (305)361-4600 or 361-4005 E-mail: ASZMANT at RSMAS.MIAMI.EDU ********************************************** From JAAP_W at epic7.dep.state.fl.us Fri Sep 11 14:56:52 1998 From: JAAP_W at epic7.dep.state.fl.us (Walt Jaap STP) Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 14:56:52 -0400 (EDT) Subject: More Florida Keys Bleaching Message-ID: <199809112031.UAA17649@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> NOTES ON BLEACHING, Tortugas area: 24 N 81 to 82 W. We dove 30 to 90 ft, 5 sites, Dry Tortugas National Park and on the Tortugas Banks, 8, 9 Sept. The incidence of bleaching (complete loss of color, total colony or partial) was moderate at most sites. Approximately 15 to 25 percent of the colonies were affected. Water temperature (diving computer data) was 86 to 87 F. Most Colpophyllia natans were exhibiting lightened color, but few were displaying bleached condition. On the Tortugas Banks (70 to 90 ft), the bleaching was less intense. We walked along the moat wall of Ft. Jefferson and saw many corals were very bleached. water depth is approximately 10 ft. Palythoa, Millepora, and Scleractinia all exhibited intense bleaching. Walt Jaap, FMRI From reefchck at ust.hk Sat Sep 12 00:23:13 1998 From: reefchck at ust.hk (reefchck at ust.hk) Date: Sat, 12 Sep 1998 12:23:13 +0800 (Taipei Standard Time) Subject: Reef Check Team Reports Message-ID: Reef Check Team Reports From Around the World - August 1998 In this report: Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Bonaire, Hawaii, Israel, PNG, Philippines, Tanzania, Japan, Columbia, Guam Reef Check 98 in Cayman Islands - Carrie Manfrino Kievman Our group of 12 divers completed Reef Check between July 1 and 4. We were fortunate to get enormous media coverage from the Cayman Islands Television Network (CITN 27). A brief report describing the plight of coral reefs and the Reef Check project was aired numerous times and I was interviewed on their Daybreak program. The reefs on Grand Cayman Island are under increasing stress for several reasons: 1. Tourism continues to grow and more hotels are being developed or expanded. 2. Dredging has just begun in the North Sound area which is fringed by a now popular reef. As I was flying off the island a large plume of muddy water was spilling toward the reef. Several more permits to dredge have been requested and were pending a decision when I left the islands in July. 3. There is talk in the legislature of changing some of the rules and regulations that govern the marine parks to allow line fishing in areas previously off limits. 4. Fisherman are using a new type of fishpot that is placed very near the fringing reef and that have a smaller mesh sizes than traditional Caymanian fishpots. 5. More and more mangroves are being destroyed by developers. Reef Check 98 in Hong Kong - Carmen Lee WWF Hong Kong is the local coordinator for this year's Reef Check in Hong Kong, and there are altogether 7 teams led by a group of enthusiastic divers who wish to participate in this event . A press conference was held on 28 July 1998, which was well attended by media reporters. The kick-off launch for Reef Check was at the Coral Beach of Hoi Ha Wan on 8 August 1998, with the generous support from Ocean Sky Diving Co. Ltd. The other 6 Reef Check sites are Ping Chau, Moon Island (Hoi Ha Wan), Bluff Island, Shelter Island, Nine Pins and Lemma, which will be surveyed this month. Reef Check 98 in Bahrain - K. Roger Uwate The Reef Check team in Bahrain has completed surveys on three different coral reefs. On Fasht Al Adhom, a shallow and a deep water site was completed. A new coral area was surveyed near Khwar Fasht (one survey). In addition, on 7/8/98, two transects were completed on Abul Thama. Abul Thama is considered by sports divers as the best coral reef in Bahrain. The two local English papers have already published stories on the Abul Thama surveys. In addition, plans are proceeding to produce a marine conservation poster. A local sponsor has agreed to fully support printing costs. The poster focuses on public participation in marine conservation activities (including volunteers helping in Reef Check). This poster should be finished in a few weeks. It will be distributed primarily to the various schools in Bahrain (when schools start next month). Reef Check 98 in Bonaire - Susie Westmacott Bonaire Reef Check participants have already taken part in the Marine Park's surveys in the past so we have a relatively experienced crew. As observers we are also including the newly qualified Bonaire Marine Park scuba kids. They have been trained by the Marine Park and are keen to become involved in our monitoring and survey work. Reef Check 98 in Maui, - Carl M. Stepath August 13 & 15, 1998 (A continued project of Clean Oceans '98) Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Sanctuary, Kihei -Thur, Aug. 13; 6-8pm Coral Reef Ecology & Reef Check Preparations -Saturday, Aug. 15 from 8-10am, Reef Check Coral Reef Monitoring Welcome to this coral reef ecology workshop, and an opportunity to learn about coral reef monitoring. Divers and scientists at more than 300 locations around the world will examine coral reef health this summer. The sponsoring organization on Maui and Kauai is Save Our Seas. Professional and recreational divers, with knowledge of marine biology and at least one professional marine scientist per team will monitor the reef at Kalepolepo. Scientists will be on hand to give explanations and answer questions, and validate the data. This continues work at Kapalua Bay in June on Maui, Anini in June on Kauai, Princeville in August on Kauai. As you probalbly know the first Reef Check in the world was held at Princeville Kauai in June of 1997 at the Clean Oceans Conference. We have continued the project to the best of our ability. Reef Check 98 in Israel - Zvika Livnat Down here in Eilat, Israel, recently we received a confirmation for the project science leader position from Dr Nanette E.Chadwick Furman, which is wonderful for the project. she is a very respected scientist and an expert on corals. This year all the volunteers for israel are marine biologists and diving instructors. We like to keep it in a professional level. we are still waiting for approval on budgets. (Ed. Note: Nan will be coordinating with our other Israel teams led by Joe Breman). Reef Check 98 in Papua New Guinea - Norman Quinn Dr. Norman Quinn, University of Papua New Guinea, is coordinating the efforts in Papua New Guinea. With the assistance of Dr. B.L. Kojis and local university students reefs in Oro Province, off Kavieng, and in the Central Province have been survey. Logistic assistance has been provided by local dive centers. None of the reef surveyed have been severely impacted by anthropogenic pollution. Subsistence fishing appears to be the most important impact on the fish populations of the reefs. Reef Check 98 in Frontier Tanzania - Damon Stanwell-Smith The volunteers have been trained in ReefCheck techniques, using both western and Tanzanian personnel. The sites have been identified and will be surveyed this week. In addition Jean-Luc has given a lecture/workshop to the SCUBA club of Dar es Salaam, as they were interested in participating in Reefcheck. Frontier has an ongoing marine research programme in Southern Tanzania, we have recently surveyed reef areas with as much as 70% coral bleaching. Detailed results are being collated, together with monitoring of recovery and overgrowth. We look forward to seeing the results of both ReefCheck 97 and this year's stirling efforts. Reef Check 98 in Japan - Mariko Abe Starting from Iriomote island (done by Underwater Creature Network), Japanese teams have finished the reefcheck survey at 5 points so far. Apart from Iriomote, Henoko (Okinawa mainland. by Love DugongNetowork), Ishigaki island(by Coral Network), Tokashiki island (Diving Base Teera), Miyake-jima(by Miyakejima sizen fureai tomonokai). Last year the number of participant groups was only two. However, over 10 groups will be finish the survey by the end of September. We think it is a great progress & ReefCheck 98' in Japan is going successfully so far. Reef Check 98 in Colombia - Nohora Galvis In Colombia, there is a lot activity related to REEF CHECK 98. Four events are planned to be developed : one at the end of August (Corales del Rosario) and three more in September (Santa Marta, San Andr?s y Gorgona). It would be interesting sharing information about a list of species for the Eastern Pacific (Gorgona). Reef Check 98 in Guam - Sandra Romano Reef Check here went really well on Sunday. We had about 45 people who did 3 different sites. Everybody really got into it. I am working up the data now and will get it off to you next week- there are a few loose ends to tie up. It really is a good exercise for everyone- I think they have really learned a lot. Reef Check 98 in Palawan, Philippines - Sarah Curran Survey sites for ReefCheck are Port Barton (mid west Palawan), Honda Bay (Central) and Busuanga (northern Palawan). We have conducted surveys at 4 sites in Port Barton and will conduct surveys at Honda Bay and Busuanga this month. From visits to other sites including Port barton, there is a massive amount of bleaching occuring. At Port Barton, Honda bay and other areas in Mindoro we were finding sites with 70% bleached hard coralincluding soft forms, and almost all anemones are bleached . Water temperature is around 32 degrees even at 10 m. Regards Keith Kei Assistant Coordinator Institute for Environment and Sustainable Development Applied Technology Centre Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Clearwater Bay Kowloon HONG KONG Tel: (852) 2358-6936 Fax: (852) 2358-1334 e-mail: reefchck at ust.hk web site: http://www.ust.hk/~webrc/ReefCheck/reef.html From reefchck at ust.hk Sat Sep 12 00:28:59 1998 From: reefchck at ust.hk (reefchck at ust.hk) Date: Sat, 12 Sep 1998 12:28:59 +0800 (Taipei Standard Time) Subject: Reef Check Update - September 98' Message-ID: Reef Check Update -- September 1998 STATUS: We are pleased to report that Reef Check 1998 has gone very well. At latest count we have teams in over 30 countries and territories and based on last year's events, we would expect to add a few more before the official field survey "window" closes on 30 Spetember. Due to the enthusiastic response from our teams in all corners of the globe, we are sending the team report separately from this update. The accompanying team report includes news from: Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Bonaire, Hawaii, Israel, PNG, Tanzania, Japan, Columbia, Guam. REPORT: Anyone who would like to receive a copy of the 1997 Reef Check global summary paper can obtain it from our FTP site or from T-SHIRTS: Beautiful 6-color Reef Check logo t-shirts and stickers are now available. Stickers are free and t-shirts cost US$12 plus shipping, and all proceeds go to support Reef Check. Contact us at for orders or see us at ITMEMS. We have already sent out several hundred Certificates of Participation in Reef Check 98, suitable for framing. HAWAII: Following the Coral Reef Monitoring Workshop organized by Jim Maragos in Hawaii in June, Reef Check has been taking off in Hawaii, thanks to the hard work of Carl Stepath and many other individuals and organizations. Surveys have been or will be carried out on all the major Hawaiian Islands for the first time using one method. By the way, the Hawaii connection is linking Guam (Sandra Romano), Israel (Nan Chadwick-Furman), and Florida (Bill Tyler) to name a few. PHILIPPINES: At the end of July, training for trainers was carried out in Cebu, and Dumaguete Philippines with Mike Ross, Alan White, and Laurie Raymundo as hosts. We are grateful to the Tetratech CRMP project and Vaughan Pratt's International Marine Life Alliance for adopting Reef Check as part of their on-going and extensive programs in community-based management. The next joint Reef Check/GCRMN training for trainers is planned for Nha Trang, Vietnam with participants from Myanmar, Cambodia and China to be supported by UNEP and Japan. We take this opportunity to remind those with existing monitoring programs that it is normally very easy to "adopt" the simple Reef Check methods into your regular program. The advantage is that you will be able to make national and regional comparisons and to give your participants the incentive of participation in the global survey. ISRS FRANCE: In between the heavy wine tasting sessions, Reef Check coordinators had a chance to compare notes at the ISRS meeting hosted in Perpignan and French Coordinator Michel Pichon and incoming ICRI Chairman Bernard Salvat have pledged their support in French Polynesia. Moshira Hassan made a presentation focusing on Reef Check Red Sea, A. Harborne gave an excellent talk on generating habitat classification maps and G. Hodgson presented a summary of the 1997 results and 1998-9 plans. Fund raising is moving ahead and it looks like we will have additional funds for teams in 1999 in Asia, the Caribbean and Melanesia. If you are from a country where there has not yet been a Reef Check - please contact us so that we can plan for next year. For those teams still sitting on data - please send them in now! On 19 November, we will be holding our annual Press Conference to announce the preliminary results for 1998. We need as much data as possible now to give a convincing report. Since this has been the Year of the Ocean and given the bleaching event - we expect this will be a good opportunity to get our message out to the public. We encourage all Reef Check coordinators to plan their own local Press Conferences for 19 November or later to multiply the impact. Our Press Release will be available to coordinators about 1 week in advance of the conference. As the end of the 1998 season is approaching, we would like to again thank all those dozens of coordinators and hundreds of volunteers who have made the past two years global surveys so successful. Regards Keith Kei Assistant Coordinator Institute for Environment and Sustainable Development Applied Technology Centre Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Clearwater Bay Kowloon HONG KONG Tel: (852) 2358-6936 Fax: (852) 2358-1334 e-mail: reefchck at ust.hk web site: http://www.ust.hk/~webrc/ReefCheck/reef.html From reefchck at ust.hk Sun Sep 13 00:09:40 1998 From: reefchck at ust.hk (reefchck at ust.hk) Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1998 12:09:40 +0800 (Taipei Standard Time) Subject: Reef Check Press Conderence! Message-ID: Dear all, Reef Check will hold a Press Conference on 19 November to report the preliminary results of the 1998 global survey, and coral bleaching and mortality will be featured. Due to the early start this year, a number of surveys occurred pre-bleaching so we are short of good visuals. We would like to request anyone with good video (15 min) or slides (2-3) of bleached, dying or dead corals if they would be willing to share with us, to please send us a copy. We will be happy to reimburse copying and postage costs (if you arrange with us first). On the 19th we will have at least 6 video monitors showing different parts of the world. We will be happy to give full credit to the photographer/scientist in writing beneath the video or print. We are particularly interested in images showing mortality of very large colonies. Thank you for your generosity. -- Gregor Hodgson, PhD Institute for Environment and Sustainable Development Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Clearwater Bay, Hong Kong Reef Check: http://www.ust.hk/~webrc/ReefCheck/reef.html From bcausey at ocean.nos.noaa.gov Mon Sep 14 00:38:03 1998 From: bcausey at ocean.nos.noaa.gov (Causey, B.) Date: 14 Sep 1998 00:38:03 -0400 Subject: Coral Bleaching / Looe Key Reef Message-ID: Greetings: Coral bleaching has been reported in a variety of coral habitats in the Florida Keys over the past 2 - 3 months. This past Friday (September 11, 1998) the Sanctuary's Education Team and I snorkeled in four different coral habitats on and around Looe Key Reef. We observed moderate coral bleaching in the intermediate reef habitat (45' depth) and in some of the shallower coral reef areas. Most alarming was the impact to the shallow Acropora species on the reef crest and shallow backreef. There has been a steady recruitment and growth spurt of Acropora palmata and A. cervicornis in that area since the mid to late 1980's. Almost 100% of the Acropora colonies are severely bleached and large patches of coral tissue have died. In some instances the entire colonies were dead. It will be hard to tell what will survive at this point, considering many of the stark white colonies were still alive at this time. There was a considerable amount of bleaching in the Millepora and again..... I observed a lot of mortality. Although many of the head coral species were in various stages of stress from bleaching..... they were not in as bad a condition as they were last year. I did not have a temperature meter with me and checked one of our thermographs on the reef flat and could not read the temp..... but the water was noticeably cooler than it was a week or 2 ago. It may be that we are through the critical period for this year. Historically, our coral bleaching in the Keys lessens as we start getting weather changes and cool fronts moving through the area. This is the first year we have had back-to-back coral bleaching events (2 years in a row) in the Florida Keys.... since I moved here in the early 1970's. It will be interesting to see what the future has in store for our reefs regarding other such trends. Billy Causey, Superintendent Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary From Helen at coral-sea.com.au Sun Sep 6 03:43:57 1998 From: Helen at coral-sea.com.au (Helen Walker) Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1998 17:43:57 +1000 Subject: No subject Message-ID: <199809141501.PAA13961@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Dear Coral List Members For those of you who have tried with out success to access our on line catalogue of coral reef & marine science topic publications at "http://www.coral-sea.com.au/bookshop" please try again......we have solved the problem and the page is once again up and running. I apologise for any inconvenience. With regards Helen Walker (Distribution Manager) Coral Sea Imagery PO Box 2186 Townsville QLD 4810 Tel: 0747 211633 Fax: 0747 211477 Check out our online catalogue " http://www.coral-sea.com.au/bookshop" From aszmant at rsmas.miami.edu Mon Sep 14 17:40:06 1998 From: aszmant at rsmas.miami.edu (Alina Szmant) Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 17:40:06 -0400 Subject: AFR/Telstra Australian Internet award 1998 - Mangroves & Coral Reefs Message-ID: <199809142140.RAA02284@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Hello all: Below is a message I received that may be of interest to other coral reefers. Take a look at the web site and if you like it, vote for it. Here's our chance to help publicize the beauty and ecological important of coral reefs and mangroves. Alina Szmant >Return-Path: >Delivered-To: szmant at oj.rsmas.miami.edu >Delivered-To: aszmant at rsmas.miami.edu >Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1998 22:11:44 +1000 (EET) >From: Dr Eric Wolanski >To: aszmant at rsmas.miami.edu >Subject: AFR/Telstra Australian Internet award 1998 - Mangroves & Coral > Reefs > >Alina, >I know you are very busy so I would doubly appreciate if you could vote >for my AIMS home page "Mangroves and coral reefs" for that award. A chance >for science of coral reefs and mangroves to win a prize in a world of >commercialism. Simply open my home page at http://ibm590.aims.gov.au >click on the top icon (AFR/Telstra) and vote for that page! >If you can pass on this request, the better the chances. >Thanking you >Eric Wolanski > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ********************************************** Dr. Alina M. Szmant Coral Reef Research Group RSMAS-MBF University of Miami 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy. Miami FL 33149 TEL: (305)361-4609 FAX: (305)361-4600 or 361-4005 E-mail: ASZMANT at RSMAS.MIAMI.EDU ********************************************** From Gregory.Boland at mms.gov Tue Sep 15 07:45:51 1998 From: Gregory.Boland at mms.gov (Gregory Boland) Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 07:45:51 -0400 Subject: bleaching follow-ups Message-ID: <5FE63740.@mms.gov> I have noticed similar comments to a number of bleaching reports lately, something like "I don't know how this is going to affect things in the long run," or "who knows what permanent damage this extensive bleaching will cause." I'm sure we all share the same dread and concerns and it would be very productive if we could indeed find out what really does happen. Perhaps everyone submitting bleaching reports this year (including yours truly) can post a "recovery report" some time late this year or early in 1999 if possible. Accumulated bleaching reports and recovery reports could be accumulated, paired up and saved for reference. Greg Boland Minerals Management Service From eweil at caribe.net Tue Sep 15 22:58:30 1998 From: eweil at caribe.net (Ernesto Weil) Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 22:58:30 -0400 Subject: Info from P.Rico Message-ID: <3.0.32.19980915225827.006e91d0@caribe.net> A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/enriched Size: 1413 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/19980915/4da4a55b/attachment.bin From vicki at bigpond.com.kh Tue Sep 15 22:35:43 1998 From: vicki at bigpond.com.kh (Vicki Nelson) Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 09:35:43 +0700 Subject: destructive practices Message-ID: <06534360916364@bigpond.com.kh> Hi everyone, I am just starting on a case study on destructive fishing (mostly dynamite) and collection of corals for souvenirs in Cambodia. There is much bleating about the seriousness of the problem here, but nobody seems to know the exact extent of it, who's responsible, how much damage there is and so on. I'm aiming to try to get some data on at least the levels of damage from dynamite (without becoming damaged myself) and the turnover from the souvenir trade. To put our findings into a global context, I would like to request information about work people have been doing elsewhere, especially references to literature. Before I get sat upon for asking other people to do my library search, I should point out that there is no library here. I have no access to literature or reports at all apart from what people are kind enough to send me. Luckily next week I'm going to England and Scotland for a couple of weeks and will hopefully have an opportunity to go to bookshops and a library or two. If anyone can point me in the direction of the Seminal Work(s) on destruction of reefs and its consequences, I can try to get it/them myself. If anyone is altruistic enough to send me reprints, reports or books I will be eternally grateful (so will the Cambodians - they're chronically lacking in any kind of resource material). Web addresses are also useful (its best if they're scientific or have quantitative data). Thanks very much, cheers, Vicki Dr Vicki Nelson Danida Coastal Zone Management Project PO Box 2298 Phnom Penh 3 855-15-839-884 email: vicki at bigpond.com.kh From hendee at aoml.noaa.gov Wed Sep 16 09:22:50 1998 From: hendee at aoml.noaa.gov (Jim Hendee) Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 09:22:50 -0400 (EDT) Subject: bleaching follow-ups In-Reply-To: <5FE63740.@mms.gov> Message-ID: This is a great suggestion. For those who do post to coral-list, I'll include those recovery notes in the bleaching archives on the CHAMP Home Page. Cheers, Jim On Tue, 15 Sep 1998, Gregory Boland wrote: > Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 07:45:51 -0400 > From: Gregory Boland > To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > Subject: bleaching follow-ups > > I have noticed similar comments to a number of bleaching reports > lately, something like "I don't know how this is going to affect > things in the long run," or "who knows what permanent damage this > extensive bleaching will cause." I'm sure we all share the same dread > and concerns and it would be very productive if we could indeed find > out what really does happen. > > Perhaps everyone submitting bleaching reports this year (including > yours truly) can post a "recovery report" some time late this year or > early in 1999 if possible. Accumulated bleaching reports and recovery > reports could be accumulated, paired up and saved for reference. > > Greg Boland > Minerals Management Service > From Hoeksema at naturalis.nnm.nl Wed Sep 16 09:35:03 1998 From: Hoeksema at naturalis.nnm.nl (Hoeksema, B.W.) Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 15:35:03 +0200 Subject: Quaternary marine (palaeo)biogeography of SE Asia Message-ID: Quaternary marine (palaeo)biogeography of SE Asia This is one of the 15 planned sessions of the International Symposium on the Biogeography of SE Asia 2000 to be held 4-9 June 2000, in Leiden, The Netherlands. Organisation The National Museum of Natural History, the Rijksherbarium/Hortus Botanicus (both in Leiden) and the Netherlands Research School of Sedimentary Geology (NSG), Amsterdam. Marine biogeography and bioodiversity Scientists and students who have a serious interest in the biogeography of marine organisms and the biodiversity of marine ecosystems in SE Asia, such as coral reefs, may be interested to attend the session on Quaternary marine (palaeo)biogeography of SE Asia. Those who have suggestions for topics relevant to this session or would like to participate, and therefore would like to receive more information in the future, should contact the convenor. Why SE Asia? Southeast Asia has received much attention in recent years, both from earth scientists and biologists. It is a region where several lithospheric plates are colliding and this process of ongoing mountain building has resulted in a very complicated biotic history. It comprises major hotspots of global biodiversity. However, the natural environment is much under threat and increased attempts are made to study and to preserve what is left. It has become clear in recent years that the abiotic and biotic developments can only be understood if they are studied in an integrated way. Therefore both earth scientists and biologists are invited to share their knowledge of specific aspects concerning Southeast Asia. The aim of the symposium The main aim of the symposium is to give a comprehensive and integrated summary of the knowledge at the start of the new millennium. Although there will be ample room for short communications and posters, the accent is on review papers covering all aspects of historical biogeography of the area, including geological developments, palaeoclimatology, marine and terrestrial life, plants as well as animals. In addition, attention will be paid to methodology, and to "applied biogeography" and conservation. Special themes may include monitoring of Global Climatic Change and Biodiversity assessments. The meeting will consist of invited presentations, contributed lectures and posters, and workshops such as on computer applications and on multidisciplinary research themes. It is intended to publish the review papers as a book that reflects the main aim of the symposium: a comprehensive and integrated summary of the knowledge at the start of the new millennium. The other contributions will either be published separately or as part of the book. The scientific programme is proposed to consist of five sections, each with several sessions. For each section several people have been or are approached to act as convenor. Since the coverage is not yet complete, we invite you to suggest additional names, with particular emphasis on names of people from SE Asia. Convenors for a session will receive the addresses of the other convenors for the same section enabling them to act in concert. 1. Methodology: 3 sessions: Geology; Palaeontology; Biogeography 2. Mesozoic: 2 sessions: Geology & Palaeontology; Gondwana distribution patterns in recent organisms 3. Tertiary: 3 sessions: Geology/Plate tectonics; Palaeontology; Tertiary distribution patterns in recent organisms 4. Quaternary: 4 sessions: Geology & Climatic Change; Terrestrial (palaeo)biogeography; Marine (palaeo)biogeography; Human Impact 5. Applied Biogeography: 3 sessions: Biodiversity Informatics; Global Change; Societal Needs & Conservation Attendance from SE Asia Researchers and students from the Southeast Asian Region are especially invited to attend the symposium and to contribute with lectures and/or posters. The Steering Committee and the International Organizing Committee will do their utmost to improve funding possibilities for participation by people from SE Asia. Convenor for this session: Hoeksema at Naturalis.nnm.nl Dr. Bert W. Hoeksema National Museum of Natural History Naturalis P.O. Box 9517 2300 RA Leiden The Netherlands Tel.: +31.71.5687631 Fax: +31.71.5687666 E-mail: Hoeksema at Naturalis.NNM.nl From glover at btl.net Wed Sep 16 16:22:06 1998 From: glover at btl.net (Tom Bright) Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 14:22:06 -0600 Subject: Bleached Belizean Reefs Message-ID: <7718756486E.AAD5CC8@wgs1.btl.net> Memorandum To: Mr. James Azueta, Coordinator of Marine Protected Areas, Belize Dept. of Fisheries. From: Dr. Thomas J. Bright, Station Manager, Glover's Reef Marine Research Station, Wildlife Conservation Society. Subject: Wide scale Bleaching on all of Belize's Coral Reefs. Date: Sept. 15, 1998 Dear James, The entire Belizean coral reef ecosystem has experienced a massive and pervasive event of coral bleaching. I have personally observed serious bleaching down to a depth of at least 8 meters on the fore reef, top reef and back reef of the main barrier reef at Ranguana Pass, the patch reefs at Crawl Caye, Laughing Bird Caye, Scipio Caye, Bird Caye, pinnacle reefs between Ranguana Pass and Lighthouse Caye off Placencia, and the shallow water off Rum Point. Danny Wesby reports massive bleaching on the fore reef, top reef, back reef and patch reefs at Glover's Reef Atoll down to at least 7 meters depth. Chris Berlin reports serious bleaching off Ambergris Caye. Fishermen have told me of bleaching on the main Barrier Reef from Buttonwood Caye to Ranguana Pass. Divers observed bleaching at South Water Caye and Cocoplum Caye. All of the observers indicate that, although they have seen bleaching in past years at this time, none have ever seen it so widespread and so extensive as this year's event. They said that this is the warmest they remember the water temperature ever being. All indicate that they began noticing the bleaching during the last week or so. >From this information I conclude that there has been a massive and heretofore unprecedented (in the memory of those Belizean fishermen, watermen and divers contacted) degree of zooxanthellae expulsion (bleaching) in the reef coral populations of the entire Belizean Reef ecosystem from the mainland beach out to the Atolls and including the main Belize Barrier Reef down to at least 8 meters depth, and probably deeper. Further, it appears that the bleaching is correlated in time with a period of exceptionally high regional sea water temperature, and calm weather (there has been very little wind during the last month). Bleaching at Crawl Caye on Sept. 2 was reported by me to Dylan Gomez and the National Coral Reef Monitoring Group. Bleaching was noted on Sept. 7 at Glover's Reef by the Wildlife Conservation Society staff. Since then the bleaching has intensified and spread. Thus I conclude that the presumed cause of the bleaching (high sea water temperature) manifested itself around the first of September and has not yet abated. Further, I feel that the bleaching started around the first of September, has progressed since then, has not yet run it's course, and could get worse than it is now. I observed water temperature, on my fish finder, at one meter depth, during a sail from Belize City to Ranguana Pass and across the Gulf of Honduras to Punta Sal, Honduras during the time in question. It was consistently between 30 C and 32 C and most of the time it was 31 C. Danny Wesby measured the Glover's Reef Temperatures on Sept. 15. The surface temp. was 32 C and the temperature at 2 meters was 30 C. The surface waters (upper 1/3 Meter or so) on shoals and near cayes is warmer, often 36 to 38 C. Some qualitative conclusions based on my personal observations are as follows: Almost all Milleporan and Scleractinian corals and the Zooanthid Palythoa exhibited some degree of bleaching. Total to high bleaching was prevalent in Millepora, Agaricia, Porites porites and Palythoa. High to moderate bleaching was prevalent in Montastrea, Siderastrea, and Diploria. Moderate to low bleaching occurred in Dendrogyra and Acropora (although A. palmata appeared only moderately bleached on the main Barrier Reef, totally bleached colonies were observed in places on the lagoonal patch reefs). Most Millepora, Porites porites, Agaricia and Palythoa were pure white . Many Montastrea "annularis" (all three growth forms) were pure white over the major part of their coralla, many were tan, all were affected. Other species unnamed above were also affected. Black band disease was observed on M. "annularis", Diploria and Gorgonia but not in any greater frequency than usual. This is the most extensive case of bleaching that I have ever observed. I hope that subsequent mortality is minimal. A monitoring effort should be undertaken to assess the ultimate impact of this massive bleaching event on the reef coral populations of Belize. Dr. Thomas J. Bright, Station Manager WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY Glover's Reef Marine Research Station PO Box 2310 Belize City, Belize Ph./Fax. 011-501-02-33855 (Belize City) Ph. 011-501-05-22153 (Middle Caye) E-mail Website From sjameson at coralseas.com Wed Sep 16 17:57:33 1998 From: sjameson at coralseas.com (Stephen C Jameson) Date: Wed, 16 Sep 98 17:57:33 -0400 Subject: destructive practices Message-ID: <199809162152.RAA09286@radagast.wizard.net> Dear Vicki, On 9/16/98 you wrote. >Hi everyone, > >I am just starting on a case study on destructive fishing (mostly dynamite) >and collection of corals for souvenirs in Cambodia. There is much bleating >about the seriousness of the problem here, but nobody seems to know the >exact extent of it, who's responsible, how much damage there is and so on. >I'm aiming to try to get some data on at least the levels of damage from >dynamite (without becoming damaged myself) and the turnover from the >souvenir trade. To put our findings into a global context, I would like to >request information about work people have been doing elsewhere, especially >references to literature. Before I get sat upon for asking other people to >do my library search, I should point out that there is no library here. I >have no access to literature or reports at all apart from what people are >kind enough to send me. Luckily next week I'm going to England and Scotland >for a couple of weeks and will hopefully have an opportunity to go to >bookshops and a library or two. If anyone can point me in the direction of >the Seminal Work(s) on destruction of reefs and its consequences, I can try >to get it/them myself. If anyone is altruistic enough to send me reprints, >reports or books I will be eternally grateful (so will the Cambodians - >they're chronically lacking in any kind of resource material). Web >addresses are also useful (its best if they're scientific or have >quantitative data). > >Thanks very much, > >cheers, > >Vicki > >Dr Vicki Nelson >Danida Coastal Zone Management Project >PO Box 2298 >Phnom Penh 3 >855-15-839-884 >email: vicki at bigpond.com.kh Check out the follow two references (they are both on the web) for a global perspective on destructive fishing practices. Jameson SC, McManus JW, Spalding MD (1995) State of the Reefs: Regional and Global Perspectives. International Coral Reef Initiative, US Dept of State, Washington, DC http://www.ogp.noaa.gov/misc/coral/sor/ Burke L, Bryant D, McManus J, Spalding M (1998) Reefs at Risk: A map-based indicator of potential threats to the world?s coral reefs. World Resources Institute, Washington DC. http://www.wri.org/indictrs/reefrisk.htm Best regards, Dr. Stephen C. Jameson, President Coral Seas Inc. - Integrated Coastal Zone Management 4254 Hungry Run Road, The Plains, VA 20198-1715 USA Office: 703-754-8690, Fax: 703-754-9139 Email: sjameson at coralseas.com Web Site: www.coralseas.com From tsocci at usgcrp.gov Thu Sep 17 11:06:50 1998 From: tsocci at usgcrp.gov (Tony Socci) Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1998 11:06:50 -0400 Subject: September 23, 1998 USGCRP Seminar: "Depletion and Recovery of the Ozone Layer: An Update of the Scientific Understanding" Message-ID: U.S. Global Change Research Program Seminar Series Depletion and Recovery of the Ozone Layer: An Update of the Scientific Understanding What are the current and projected trends in stratospheric ozone-depleting chemicals in the atmosphere? Has the Montreal Protocol been effective in reducing ozone-depleting chemicals in the atmosphere? How severe is ozone depletion at present? Will ozone depletion worsen before it gets better? Is ozone depletion confined solely to high latitudes? Will the ozone layer recover to its natural state, and if so, when? Are there likely to be surprises along the way? Public Invited Wednesday, September 23, 1998, 3:15-4:45 PM TEMPORARY LOCATION - Longworth House Office Bldg., Room 1539 Washington, DC Reception Following INTRODUCTION Dr. David Goodrich, Executive Director, U.S. Global Change Research Program Coordination Office, Washington, DC SPEAKER Dr. Daniel L. Albritton, Director, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Aeronomy Laboratory, Boulder, CO Introduction State-of-Science Update: The Stratospheric Ozone Layer The forthcoming United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report,"Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 1998" will be the newest in a series of assessments providing an update on the state of scientific understanding of the Earth's ozone layer. The key scientific points and conclusions contained within this report's Executive Summary are listed below. These key points were established and agreed upon at a peer-review meeting held in early June, 1998, of the full assessment report. Over 250 scientists from around the world participated in the writing and review of the 1998 report, which will go to press later this year and will be available in early 1999. Key Points of UNEP's Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 1998 The total tropospheric abundance of ozone-depleting gases peaked in 1994 and is now (slowly) starting downward, giving direct evidence that the Montreal Protocol is working. The springtime Antarctic ozone hole continues unabated, with the extent of Antarctic ozone depletion essentially unchanged since the early 1990s. In the Arctic, six of the past nine winters have been cold and protracted. As predicted in the 1994 assessment, those winters have seen lower-than-usual ozone levels in the region. Ozone has declined during some months by 25-30% below the 1960s average. Over the middle latitudes of both the northern and southern hemispheres, the decadal ozone decline has slowed since about 1991. The understanding of how changes in stratospheric chlorine/bromine and aerosol loading affect ozone suggests some reasons why a linear extrapolation of the pre- 1991 ozone trend to the present is not suitable. Ozone losses in the stratosphere may have caused part of the observed cooling of the lower stratosphere in the polar and upper middle latitudes (about 0.6 ?C per decade since 1979). The Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of methyl bromide is now calculated to be 0.4 [compared to 0.6 from the previous (1994) assessment], with the change being largely the result of the recognition and better quantification of removal mechanisms in soils and oceans. In the stratosphere, the peak in the abundance of ozone-depleting gases is expected before the year 2000, and the ozone layer will be in its most vulnerable state for the next decade or two. Detection of the start of the ozone layer recovery may not be possible for perhaps another 20 years, due to natural ozone variability and changing atmospheric conditions. There are not many remaining options for substantially hastening the return to a natural ozone layer. The largest of these options are associated with potential action regarding the halons, which would typically lower the sum of the ozone depletion over the next 50 years by a few to several percent. Non-adherence to the Montreal Protocol could also add to future integrated ozone depletion. Biography Dr. Daniel L. Albritton has directed the Aeronomy Laboratory of NOAA's Environmental Research Laboratories in Boulder, Colorado since 1986. The research of the Laboratory is focused on understanding the chemistry and dynamics of the atmosphere. Several key environmental phenomena are being addressed: stratospheric ozone depletion, regional tropospheric chemistry, tropospheric ozone production, tropical ocean/atmosphere interactions, and the climate system. The Laboratory is staffed with approximately 115 scientists, engineers, and support personnel. Personal Research: Dr. Albritton joined the Aeronomy Laboratory in 1967 and conducted research on the laboratory investigation of atmospheric ion-molecule reactions and theoretical studies of diatomic molecular structure. In later years, his research interest has been the field investigation of atmospheric trace-gas photochemistry. He has published approximately 150 papers in these areas, has contributed numerous invited review papers, and has lectured worldwide on these subjects. NOAA National and International Research Planning: Dr. Albritton was one of two coordinators of the drafting of the initial research plan for the U.S. Global Change Research Program. He has been a member of review and steering groups for the National Academy of Sciences, other-Federal Agency and private-sector programs, and international research efforts such as the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry Program. He is the Science Vice-Chair of the Air Quality Research Subcommittee of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. He also leads the Atmospheric Chemistry Project of NOAA's Climate and Global Change Program and NOAA's "Health of the Atmosphere" regional air quality research program. Scientific Assessments of the Stratospheric Ozone Layer: Dr. Albritton serves as Co-chair of the United Nations Environment Programme's Ozone Science Assessment Panel. In this capacity, he provides scientific information to the United Nations Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. He has often been called upon to describe this science to other governmental and industrial organizations and to the public. He has also testified frequently before Congress on this topic. Scientific Assessments of the Climate System: He has served as a Lead Author on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scientific assessment reports. He has been invited by numerous organizations to summarize the current scientific knowns and unknowns regarding the climate system. Recognition and Awards: Dr. Albritton is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and of the American Geophysical Union. He has served on the Editorial Advisory Board of the Journal of Molecular Spectroscopy and the Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry, as well as serving as editor of the latter journal. Dr. Albritton has received several awards and honors for outstanding performance in NOAA, including two Department of Commerce Gold Medal Awards and two Presidential Rank Awards. For his role in leading scientific assessments of stratospheric ozone depletion, he has received a 1992 Special Award from the American Meteorological Society, the 1993 Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the 1994 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award, and a 1995 U. N. Environment Programme Ozone Award. The Next Seminar is scheduled for Monday, October 12, 1998 Tentative Topic: Status of Global Fish Stocks: Causes and Consequences For more information please contact: Anthony D. Socci, Ph.D., U.S. Global Change Research Program Office, 400 Virginia Ave. SW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20024; Telephone: (202) 314-2235; Fax: (202) 488-8681 E-Mail: TSOCCI at USGCRP.GOV. Additional information on the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) and this Seminar Series is available on the USGCRP Home Page at: http://www.usgcrp.gov. A complete archive of seminar summaries can also be found at this site. Normally these seminars are held on the second Monday of each month. From jumajime at biologia.univalle.edu.co Thu Sep 17 11:43:59 1998 From: jumajime at biologia.univalle.edu.co (Juan Manuel Jiménez) Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1998 10:43:59 -0500 Subject: Eastern pacific Parrotfish Bioerosion Message-ID: <36012E3F.3A66B824@biologia.univalle.edu.co> Dear all, my name is Juan Manuel Jim?nez and I?m working in my BSc. thesis at the Universidad del valle, Cali-colombia. My thesis is dealing with coral reef bioerosion in the eastern pacific (Parrotfishes). I have made an extensive search at my Universitiy library and by internet on my thesis subject and have found a lot of references the most recent are papers from Belwood an Bruggeman 1996, respectively. 1)I would like to know if any of you have more recent papers you could send to me dealing with Parrotfish: bioerosion patterns of distribution on the reef feeding ecology interaction plant-herbivorous fishes If you have any other material that could help me I would apreciate very much to receive it. 2) Does any of you have the e-mail address of: PJB Scott Paul Sammarco CW Stearn PJ Vine ME Hay Thank you very much in advance for your help and time and I hope not to botter any one. Sincerely, Juan Manuel -- Juan Manuel Jimenez Personal Address Calle 1C # 66B100 Apto. 502B El Refugio Cali - Colombia South America jumajime at biologia.univalle.edu.co Office: Seccion de Biologia Marina Departamento de Biologia Universidad del Valle A.A.: 25360 From eweil at caribe.net Thu Sep 17 12:49:57 1998 From: eweil at caribe.net (Ernesto Weil) Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1998 12:49:57 -0400 Subject: More info from PR Message-ID: <004a01bde25b$365fef00$c0d35bd1@default> Hi there, To complete the information sent a couple of days ago, bleaching in the offshore reefs of the southwestern coast of PR (edge of platform, 5 miles offshore and reefs - spurs- and - grooves- start at 18 meters and extend down to 40 m depth) is less conspicuous. Few colonies of D. labyrinthiformis, U. humilis, U. purpurea, A. lamarcky, P.astreoides, P.porites, M. franksi , and M. alcicornis are completely bleach. Large colonies of M.faveolata and M. franksi show small areas that are pale and/or white (no diseases). Today we observed one bleached individual of Condilactis gigantea. Overall, frequency of bleached colonies is very low and less than in the nearshore reefs. Water temperature was 84 degrees. Saludos, EW Dr. Ernesto Weil Depart. of Marine Sciences, UPR PO BOX 908 Lajas PR 00667 Ph. (787) 899-2048 x. 241 FAX (787) 899-2630/899-5500. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/19980917/90871321/attachment.html From ccc at coralcay.demon.co.uk Fri Sep 18 06:05:44 1998 From: ccc at coralcay.demon.co.uk (ccc at coralcay.demon.co.uk) Date: Fri, 18 Sep 1998 10:05:44 +0000 Subject: Water quality analysis Message-ID: <199809180851.JAA25595@coralcay.demon.co.uk> Dear Coral listers, During our coral reef conservation project in East Kalimantan in early 1998 we took water samples from reefs in our project area North of Balikpapan and had them analysed for a quite large range of parameters: Dissolved oxygen, Salinity, Total Carbon, Total Inorganic Carbon, pH value, Conductivity, Nitrate, Sulphate, Phosphate, Alkalinity, Water Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids, Total Suspended Solids, Metals: Mg, K, Na, Ca, Fe, Co, Pb, Ni, As, Cd, and Hg. We are now in the process of analysing these data. I have been through the primary literature to find a similar data set in the region (Indonesia but preferrably East Borneo) to use as comparative data, but with no great success. Does anyone have such a dataset in grey literature or knows contacts I could approach? Thanks a lot. Maria Beger Assistant Science Co-ordinator -- Coral Cay Conservation Ltd. 154 Clapham Park Road, London, SW4 7DE, UK. Tel: +44 (0)171 498 6248 Fax: +44 (0)171 498 8447 E-Mail: ccc at coralcay.demon.co.uk | "Providing resources for the protection and WWW: http://www.coralcay.org/ | sustainable use of coastal environments." From acohen at whoi.edu Fri Sep 18 19:55:39 1998 From: acohen at whoi.edu (Anne Cohen) Date: Fri, 18 Sep 1998 16:55:39 -0700 Subject: looking for Dr Brent Constantz Message-ID: <3602F2FB.569678FB@whoi.edu> Hello, I am reading a wonderful paper by Dr Brent R. Constantz on skeletal organization in Caribbean Acropora spp. and would like very much to discuss this work further with him. He is not listed in the coral researchers directory but perhaps someone knows his current email address or whereabouts. Can you help ? many thanks Anne -- Dr Anne L. Cohen Department of Geology and Geophysics Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods Hole, MA, 02543 USA phone: (508) 289 2958 fax: (508) 289 2183 email: acohen at whoi.edu From potts at biology.ucsc.edu Fri Sep 18 18:07:51 1998 From: potts at biology.ucsc.edu (Donald Potts) Date: Fri, 18 Sep 1998 15:07:51 -0700 (Pacific Daylight Time) Subject: looking for Dr Brent Constantz In-Reply-To: <3602F2FB.569678FB@whoi.edu> Message-ID: Brent can be contacted at BConstantz at aol.com Don Potts From bmcphers at usgs.gov Fri Sep 18 14:18:56 1998 From: bmcphers at usgs.gov (Benjamin F Mcpherson ) Date: Fri, 18 Sep 1998 14:18:56 -0400 Subject: coral bleaching, Walker's Cay, northern Bahamas, Sept 4-7, 1998. Message-ID: <199809191529.PAA21293@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Bob Halley and Gene Shinn, USGS, suggested I pass these observations along. ------- Forwarded Message Return-Path: bmcphers at srv1sfltpa.er.usgs.gov Received: from localhost (srv2sfltpa.er.usgs.gov [144.47.17.242]) by srv1sfltpa.er.usgs.gov (Geomail 1.2.3) with ESMTP id NAA19378; Tue, 15 Sep 1998 13:25:28 -0400 Message-Id: <199809151725.NAA19378 at srv1sfltpa.er.usgs.gov> X-Mailer: exmh version 1.5.2 12/21/94 To: rhalley at wayback.er.usgs.gov, "Eugene A Shinn St. Petersburg, FL" cc: "Benjamin F Mcpherson, Supv. Hydrologist (Biol), Tampa, FL" Subject: coarl bleaching Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 13:25:27 -0400 From: "Benjamin F Mcpherson, Supv. Hydrologist (Biol), Tampa, FL" My wife Margie and I recently went to Walker's Cay in the northern Bahamas to dive with sharks. What struck me on these dives was the great amount of coral that was bleached white, including many different types of coral. I haven't been in Bahama waters or in the Keys for years, but when I did dive there I don't remember anything like what I saw in early September at Walkers Cay. The bleaching stands out very clearly on many of my underwater photos. I've heard a lot about bleaching in the Keys and other places, primarily in warmer periods. I haven't seen such obvious bleaching in Honduras or on other Caribbean reefs I've visited during the last several years (but these diving trips were in early summer). I'm wondering if bleaching is more severe in the northern Caribbean reefs or if I just happened to be there when highest temperatures caused a more obvious effect ? Is the same thing happening now (Sept) in Honduras and Caymans ? Any thoughts on this. From darrin.drumm at stonebow.otago.ac.nz Sun Sep 20 01:38:52 1998 From: darrin.drumm at stonebow.otago.ac.nz (Darrin Drumm) Date: Sun, 20 Sep 1998 17:38:52 +1200 Subject: looking for information on the ISRS/CMC fellowship Message-ID: <3.0.32.19980920173612.006904e0@brandywine.otago.ac.nz> Dear List members Last year there was a posting on this list to inform postgraduate students of Graduate Fellowship for Coral Reef Research supported by the International Society for Reef Studies (ISRS) and Center for Marine Conservation (CMC). I have been trying to find information pertaining to a 1999 competition for this fellowship but have failed in my efforts to contact these organizations. Nor have been able to find information on the Web relating to the Fellowship. I understood from last years competition that the award was likely to be offered annually. If anybody can provide information on a 1999 round i would be most appreciative. Feel free to contact me directly at the below address. Thanks for your help. Sincerely, Darrin Drumm darrin.drumm at stonebow.otago.ac.nz From jlowrie at cscmail.org Mon Sep 21 16:06:39 1998 From: jlowrie at cscmail.org (Jonathan Lowrie) Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 13:06:39 -0700 Subject: Marine Aquarium Conference of North America Message-ID: <430B1492F8BDD111B03E080009EC8A4A176FB7@GENSERVER1> Sorry for the short notice, but I only recently joined this listserv. The Marine Aquarium Conference of North America is THIS WEEKEND, September 25 to September 27 in LOS ANGELES. This is an 'advanced' level Marine Aquarium/Coral reef hobby conference, but in recent years has had some excellent research on keeping corals, etc. So it may be of interest to many of you. For more details, go to http://www.masla.com and look for MACNA X. Below is a list of speakers and topics. Daniel Knop "Some news about coral farming, giant clams and lime reactors " Dieter Brockmann Coral Reef Aquaristics in Germany - Past, Present and Future Prospects.. Dr.Jean Jaubert- Natural approaches for the maintenance of captive reefs: concepts, benefits and applications.. Martin Moe "The Marine Aquarium: Past, Present, and Future" Dr. Walter Adey The linkage of calcification and photosynthesis optimizes calcification in wild and model reefs. Allegra Small The Biodiversity of Coral Reefs: a comparison to rain forests and aquaria. Dr. Bruce Carlson Reef Aquariums: Simulations of nature or just fancy gardens? Charles Delbeek Once Rare and Still Rare Fish in the Marine Hobby Trade: We're Not Talking Sashimi! Phil Shane and Paul Holthus Marine Fish, A very bright future Julian Sprung Reef Fishes of the past; the fossils of Bolca. Dr. Ken Yates The Aquarium Wave: When will it Crest ? Stanley Brown Captive Propagation: the tip of the Iceberg. Dana Riddle and Andy Amussen"Lights! Color! Acropora!" - Dr. Jim Wolf Reef Science and the Trickle Down Theory Mike Paletta The History of Reefkeping from a Hobbyist's Point of View John Dyer BANQUET SPEAKER - Marine Life in its Natural Enviroment Larry Jackson "Setting up a Berlin Style Reef" Dr. Timothy Hovanec Nitrification in Marine Aquaria - current status and future research George Paleudis Captive Husbandry of the Lined Seahorse, Hippocampus erectus. Dr. Rob Hildreth Diseases of Marine Fishes with Emphasis on Prevention and a Discussion on Head and Lateral Line Erosion Steve Tyree The recent history of keeping Reef Building Stony Corals and New Filtration Methods Utilizing Live Sponges. Albert Thiel Propagation of LPS corals by cutting Jaime BaqueroFish Collection. Net caught fish, coral reefs and somebody who has been forgotten.. the fisherfolk. Jonathan Lowrie & Eric Borneman Chemical messengers of the sea and how they relate to interspecies interaction in terms of immunity and disease. Morgan Lidster, Bob Goemans, Leng Sy, Albert Thiel Natural Filtration, Algal Turf Scrubbers, Natural Nitrate Reduction, "MUD", and Mangrove Filtration Tom Frakes and Roy Herndon Aquacultured Live Rock Bob Fenner Selection of appropriate Marine Life David BaskinFish; Field to Facility, " The Process " Dr. Marlin Atkinson Research at Biosphere 2 Here is the Schedule: Thursday, Sept. 24, 1998 12:00 Noon - Exhibitor Set-up 3:00 PM - MASNA Delegates Meeting Friday, Sep. 25, 1998 8:00 AM - AMDA Annual Meeting 10:00 AM - Jim Wolf * 11:00 AM - Steve Tyree ( Main Session Room ) * 11:00 AM - Bob Fenner ( Meeting Room ) 12:00 Noon - Stanley Brown 1:00 PM - Tim Hovanec 2:00 PM - Dr. Jean Jaubert * 3:00 PM - Larry Jackson ( Main Session Room ) * 3:00 PM - George Paluedis ( Meeting Room ) 4:00 PM - Ken Yates 5:00 PM - Daniel Knop 6:00 PM - Jonathan Lowrie & Eric Borneman ( Main Session Room ) 6:00 PM - Morgan Lidster, Bob Goemans, Leng Sy, Albert Thiel and Marlin Adkinson ( Meeting Room ) 8:00 PM - On-Line Chat / Exhibitor Expo / Outdoor Social Saturday, Sept. 26, 1998 9:00 AM - Mike Pellata 10:00 AM - Phil Shane and Paul Holthus *11:00 AM - Allegra Small ( Main Session Room ) *11:00 AM - Tom Frakes and Roy Herndon ( Meeting Room ) 12:00 PM Lunch Break 1:00 PM - Bruce Carlson 2:00 PM - Julian Sprung 3:00 PM - Dana Riddle and Andy Amussen 4:00 PM - Dieter Brockmann 5:00 PM - Break 5:00 PM - Western Marine Organization Meeting 7:00 PM - MACNA X Banquet 8:00 PM - MASNA Presentation 8:30 PM - John Dyer 9:15 PM - MASLA Mermaid Presentation Sunday, Sept. 27, 1998 9:00 AM - Charles Delbeek 10:00 AM - Rob Hildreth 11:00 AM - Walter Adey 12:00 PM - Lunch Break 12:15 PM - WMO / MASNA Meeting 1:00 PM - MACNA X Raffle 2:00 PM - Martin Moe 3:00 PM - Albert Thiel 4:00 PM - Jaime Baquero 5:00 PM - David Baskin [Jonathan Lowrie] Hope to see some of you there Jonathan From d.fenner at aims.gov.au Mon Sep 21 19:03:03 1998 From: d.fenner at aims.gov.au (Doug Fenner) Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 09:03:03 +1000 Subject: Indonesian disaster Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.19980922090303.006f30dc@email.aims.gov.au> Coralisters, I've just spoken with Charlie Veron who has just returned from a trip to north Flores, Indonesia. This is an area that is said to be among the best that Indonesia has to offer for coral reefs. The current economic crisis with the skyrocketing price of rice has many people desperate if not starving. In their desperation, blast fishermen are out in large numbers. Charlie heard blasts about every 10 minutes. The results are that the reefs have for the most part been reduced to rubble- nothing left. Charlie spoke to several people who had been to different parts of Indonesia, and they confirmed that the same sort of thing has happened all over except for a few areas where there are still rice supplies. Charlie reported that if you got way out from shore, beyond the reach of the canoes, that there are reefs that are still in good shape with fantastic coral. One presumes that they too are in danger of being demolished in time. The words "ecological disaster" come to mind if this is widespread. I wonder if others have observed this- Please post reports for everyone to read. -Doug Douglas Fenner, Ph.D. Coral Taxonomist Australian Institute of Marine Science PMB No 3 Townsville MC Queensland 4810 Australia phone 07 4753 4241 e-mail: d.fenner at aims.gov.au web: http://www.aims.gov.au From Hoeksema at naturalis.nnm.nl Tue Sep 22 04:34:54 1998 From: Hoeksema at naturalis.nnm.nl (Hoeksema, B.W.) Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 10:34:54 +0200 Subject: coral blasting Message-ID: In reply to the message of Doug Fenner: North Flores was considered one of the best dive areas in Indonesia until December 1992, when an earthquake occurred, followed by a tsunami and a cyclone (see "Diving Indonesia, A guide to the World's Greatest Diving", edition 1996: p. 152). Apparently, blast fishing is removing the corals that have remained so far. Until August 1998, I have been studying the effect of blast fishing at South Sulawesi during the last 4.5 years. On average, I heard two blasts every hour underwater. Some of the explosions were close and other ones were far away since the sound of blasts can be carried over long distances through water. Coral recovery appears to be a slow process with little long-term effect since the blast craters contain rubble that does not form a solid and safe substratum to young coral recruits. Blast fishing is a well-known practice in SE Asia that has been difficult to control since the first decades of this century. Although the price of rice has increased in Indonesia, so has the price of fish. Especially fishermen who cater to the export business earn much money (Dollars converted into Rupiahs). This group of rich fishermen, however, is a small minority. If the occurrence of blast fishing has increased due to the economic crisis in Indonesia, then this would indeed be a disaster for the reefs with consequences for a long time. It is likely that fishermen would go to reefs more remote if the reefs nearby would become useless as a resource. This can also be seen in the over-fishing of sea cucumbers. Their (export) price has increased drastically (in Dollars and even more Rupiahs). However, with regard to blast fishing, most fishermen are after pelagics, like schools of mackerels and fuseliers, and these are not necessarily depending on healthy coral reefs. It is just that they can be caught more easily above shoals of 3-7 m depth after they become hit by a blast and sink to the bottom. Blasts in the open sea are useless because the fish would sink out of reach, unless the fishermen would use expensive nets. Fishermen who use explosives are aware that they cause damage to their environment. Just telling them about this is not enough. They are among the poorest people in Indonesia and they often risk their lifes at sea. For them it is a matter of survival which is difficult to comprehend by most of us who sit in front of a screen on our desk. Doug Fenner's message is right in bringing this problem to our attention. The problem is that we have not been able to stop what has been going on for decades. And now it appears to have become worse than ever. I wonder who or which organisation can do something about this. Best regards, Bert W. Hoeksema Bert W. Hoeksema National Museum of Natural History Naturalis P.O. Box 9517 2300 RA Leiden The Netherlands Tel.: +31.71.5687631 Fax: +31.71.5687666 E-mail: Hoeksema at Naturalis.NNM.nl From kikuchi at ufba.br Tue Sep 22 07:48:43 1998 From: kikuchi at ufba.br (Ruy Kenji Papa de Kikuchi) Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 08:48:43 -0300 (Hor.oficial do Leste da Am.Sul) Subject: coral blasting In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Dear coral-listers, The problem of blast-fishing in reef areas is just one more example that many, if not all, environmental problems are consequences in great part of poverty, which international policies have contributed to worsen lately. We inherited a way of living (or at least expect to have it) that is inspired in the opulence of developed nations which we (third world) cannot afford and the underdeveloped countries, most of them I guess, are trying to play a game which roles are set for them to loose. The global market exists for those who have much money to earn much more and nothing more matters, and the last year's economic crisis shows us this obvious thing. This 'philosophical' paragraph was written only to say that sporadic and restricted actions to specific environmental problems will not resolve problems. Maybe we scientists must try to cross swords with economists and win some battles before some environmental (thus social, and vice-versa) problems will begin to be solved. Just a last word. I'm not implying that the culprits are alien to the underdeveloped countries people. Ruy Kenji P. Kikuchi Feira de Santana State University Brazil kikuchi at ufba.br From jware at erols.com Tue Sep 22 08:29:31 1998 From: jware at erols.com (John Ware) Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 08:29:31 -0400 Subject: Dynamiting in Caribbean?? Message-ID: <3607982B.FD2AC005@erols.com> Dear Listers, Appropos of the just listed material on blast fishing: Last week I overheard a recreational diver asserting that dynamite fishing was being used on the island of Roatan (Honduras). The diver had no data to support this contention, just stating what he had been told on a recent trip. I have not heard of or read of blast fishing in the Caribbean in general or on Roatan in particular. Do any of you have any information on current use of blast fishing on Roatan or anywhere in the Caribbean? Thanks, John -- *********************************************************** * * * John R. Ware, PhD * * President * * SeaServices, Inc. * * 19572 Club House Road * * Gaithersburg, MD, 20886, USA * * 301 987-8507 * * jware at erols.com * * * * _ * * ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * * _|__ * * | _ | * * _______________________| |______ * * |\/__ Sea Services, Inc. \ * * |/\__________________________________/ * *********************************************************** From bhaskell at ocean.nos.noaa.gov Tue Sep 22 10:22:10 1998 From: bhaskell at ocean.nos.noaa.gov (Haskell, Ben) Date: 22 Sep 1998 10:22:10 -0400 Subject: Tortugas 2000 Message-ID: <199809221434.OAA15973@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Dear Coral list, CMPAN and other interested parties- The following is an introduction to the process to create a coral reef marine reserve in the Tortugas region of the Florida Keys. "The Tortugas, Florida, probably surpasses any other situation in the trop= ical Atlantic, in the richness of its marine fauna and in natural = advantages for the study of tropical life..." (Mayer 1903). Alfred = Goldsborough Mayer's observation about the Tortugas written 95 years ago = still holds true, and is even more relevant today with the degradation of = coral reef ecosystems in the Florida Keys and around the world. However, = one thing that hasn't changed much since the days of Mayer's Tortugas = Marine Lab (1904-1939) and Louis and Alexander Agassiz's Tortugas = explorations in the mid- to late 1800's is the relatively pristine = quality of the water and marine resources of the region. This is among = the various reasons that the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary = (FKNMS) plans to designate an area in the Tortugas region as an ecological= reserve in the year 2000. The FKNMS has the most extensive network of marine reserves in the US, = implemented in July 1997 after 6 years of controversy and debate. The 23 = marine zones cover less than 1% of the 2800 square nautical mile (951,547 = ha) Sanctuary but encompass 65% of the bank reef habitat along the coral = reef tract. The Tortugas Ecological Reserve will be the second reserve, = the purpose of which is to protect a representative segment of the = ecosystem allowing it to return to as natural a state as possible. The = existing Western Sambo Ecological Reserve is 3000 ha, extends from land = to the offshore bank reef and prohibits all consumptive activities but = allows diving and snorkeling. For a description of the zones visit our = website at www.fknms.nos.noaa.gov. The Tortugas are a remote area located 112 km west of Key West and over = 224 km from mainland Florida. Its coral reef, hardbottom, and seagrass = communities are bathed by the clearest and cleanest waters in the Florida = Keys archipelago. The oceanography of the area is dominated by gyres = fueled by the Gulf Stream -one of the world's strongest currents- = creating a vortex of marine biodiversity. Based on recent research by = Roberts (1997) the Tortugas has a high potential for receiving larvae = emanating from a wide area in the Caribbean as well as exporting larvae = to a large area including the entire Keys archipelago and the east coast = of Florida. Tortugas 2000 is a community-based, collaborative project to create the = reserve. A working group composed of user and government stakeholders is = tasked with developing criteria for the reserve and then drafting = boundary alternatives for public comment. The process to create the = reserve is being chronicled on the Tortugas 2000 website at http://fpac.fs= u.edu/tortugas. At this site you will find such things as a description = of the unique resources, a one-page, downloadable update on the process, = deliberations of the working group, a conference center where discussions = take place on different aspects of designing the reserve, and background = information on marine reserves. We need your help in designing the best possible marine reserve. Here's = how you can assist us: 1) If you have specific knowledge of the Tortugas area through research = or observations please share them with us. 2) If you have suggestions on what criteria to use for designing the = reserve please send them to Ben Haskell at bhaskell at ocean.nos.noaa.gov. 3) Please offer your comments on creating the reserve either online = through the website when that becomes available, via email, via regular = mail, or by attending one of our 5 scoping meetings during Oct./Nov. (see = website for dates and locations). 4) If you have an interest in seeing a world-class research facility = developed in the Dry Tortugas to study the effects of the reserve and the = deepwater coral communities then let us know. 5) If you're interested in working as a marine reserve intern and have = web development skills on Mac and/or UNIX then please send resume to = bhaskell at ocean.nos.noaa.gov. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is one of twelve National = Marine Sanctuaries in the United States designated to protect significant = natural and cultural resources. Thank you for your interest, Benjamin Haskell, Project Manager References Mayer, A.G. 1903. The Tortugas, Florida as a station for research in = biology. Science 17: 190-192. Roberts, C. 1997. Connectivity and management of Caribbean coral reefs. = Science 278: 1454-1457. From delbeek at hawaii.edu Tue Sep 22 12:52:58 1998 From: delbeek at hawaii.edu (J. Charles Delbeek) Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 06:52:58 -1000 Subject: coral blasting In-Reply-To: Message-ID: As always it is the age old dilemna of offering alternatives. Unless one can offer them alternatives, native peoples will do what is necessary for short term survival. J. Charles Delbeek M.Sc. "The fact that my physiology differs from yours pleases me to no end." Mr. Spock On Mon, 21 Sep 1998, Hoeksema, B.W. wrote: > In reply to the message of Doug Fenner: > > North Flores was considered one of the best dive areas in Indonesia > until December 1992, when an earthquake occurred, followed by > a tsunami and a cyclone (see "Diving Indonesia, A guide to the > World's Greatest Diving", edition 1996: p. 152). Apparently, > blast fishing is removing the corals that have remained so far. > > Until August 1998, I have been studying the effect of blast fishing at > South Sulawesi during the last 4.5 years. On average, I heard two blasts > > every hour underwater. Some of the explosions were close and other > ones were far away since the sound of blasts can be carried over long > distances through water. > > Coral recovery appears to be a slow process with little long-term > effect since the blast craters contain rubble that does not > form a solid and safe substratum to young coral recruits. > > Blast fishing is a well-known practice in SE Asia that has > been difficult to control since the first decades of this century. > Although the price of rice has increased in Indonesia, so has the price > of fish. Especially fishermen who cater to the export business earn much > money (Dollars converted into Rupiahs). This group of rich fishermen, > however, is a small minority. > > If the occurrence of blast fishing has increased due to the > economic crisis in Indonesia, then this would indeed be a disaster > for the reefs with consequences for a long time. > > It is likely that fishermen would go to reefs more remote > if the reefs nearby would become useless as a resource. This > can also be seen in the over-fishing of sea cucumbers. Their (export) > price has increased drastically (in Dollars and even more Rupiahs). > However, with regard to blast fishing, most fishermen are after > pelagics, > like schools of mackerels and fuseliers, and these are not necessarily > depending on healthy coral reefs. It is just that they can be caught > more > easily above shoals of 3-7 m depth after they become hit by a blast and > sink to the bottom. Blasts in the open sea are useless because the fish > would sink out of reach, unless the fishermen would use expensive nets. > > Fishermen who use explosives are aware that they cause damage to their > environment. Just telling them about this is not enough. They are among > the poorest people in Indonesia and they often risk their lifes at sea. > For them it is a matter of survival which is difficult to comprehend by > most of > us who sit in front of a screen on our desk. > > Doug Fenner's message is right in bringing this problem to > our attention. The problem is that we have not been able to stop what > has been going on for decades. And now it appears to have become > worse than ever. I wonder who or which organisation can do something > about this. > > Best regards, > > Bert W. Hoeksema > > Bert W. Hoeksema > National Museum of Natural History Naturalis > P.O. Box 9517 > 2300 RA Leiden > The Netherlands > Tel.: +31.71.5687631 > Fax: +31.71.5687666 > E-mail: Hoeksema at Naturalis.NNM.nl > > > From armono at engr.mun.ca Tue Sep 22 12:03:30 1998 From: armono at engr.mun.ca (Haryo Armono) Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 13:33:30 -0230 Subject: Artificial reefs References Message-ID: <3607CA51.46A1FCDF@engr.mun.ca> Dear Coral listers, I'm writing my master thesis about "Flow Field Modelling on the Hemispherical Artificial Reefs using Finite Volume Methods." I need some references (papers or textbook) for that. What I've found are: 1. Frank M.D'itri,, 1986. "Artificial Reefs: Marine and Freshwater Applications", Lewis Publishers, Inc. 2. L.M. Chou, 1997,"Artificial Reefs of Southeast Asia - Do they enhance or degrade the marine environtment", Kluwer Academic Publishers 3. Alan T. White; Chou Loke Ming; M.W.R.N. de Silva; Flordeliz Y. Guarin., 1990, "Artificial Reefs for Marine Habitat Enhancement in Southeast Asia", Internationa Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management. 4. Some papers from Journal of Waterways, Port Coastal and Ocean Engineering, ASCE and Proceeding of International Conference of Coastal Engineeering, on Numerical Modelling and Submerged Breakwater / Artificial Reefs. It would be helpful if someone could give me more textbook or international journal related with artificial reefs for my references. Thank you ******************************************** Haryo D. Armono Box 79 Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) St. John's, NF Canada A1B 3X5 http://www.engr.mun.ca/~armono ICQ#15545070 ******************************************** From jkelsey at ucb.edu.bz Tue Sep 22 18:04:14 1998 From: jkelsey at ucb.edu.bz (JONATHAN KELSEY) Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 16:04:14 -0600 Subject: coral blasting Message-ID: <70AAE52696@pmail.ucb.edu.bz> > Subject: Re: coral blasting > As always it is the age old dilemna of offering alternatives. Unless one > can offer them alternatives, native peoples will do what is necessary for > short term survival. > > J. Charles Delbeek M.Sc. Dear Mr. Delbeek, Your statement regarding native peoples, as I think others will agree, is quite hasty. I think you will find there many well documented examples of native people conserving marine resources. I suggest you pick up copies of James McGoodwin's "Crisis in the World's Fisheries" and "Words of the Lagoon" by Bob Johannes. Carl Safina's, "Song for the Blue Ocean" also documents some indigenous peoples efforts at conserving resources. Examples can also be found in the history of Maine's 'native' lobstermen. If you would like some specific cites I would be more than happy to contribute. I would offer that the fact that the people you refer to are native people has little to do with resource degradation of this scale. More often such exploitation comes from forcing small-scale, artesinal, and subsistence fishers into a capital-based economy. It is a plague that has devastated even the world's most abundant fisheries, from Newfoundland cod to California anchovie and urchin. I've not meant to be rude, but I feel that it is important to see beyond this strong, hegemonistic, and typically-western viewpoint. Thank you. Sincerely, Jonathan Kelsey Research and Education Coordinator University College of Belize Marine Research Centre P.O. Box 990 Belize City, Belize Central America Phone: 023-0256 JKELSEY at ucb.edu.bz > > "The fact that my physiology differs from yours pleases me to no end." > Mr. Spock > > From uksda at kupang.wasantara.net.id Tue Sep 22 18:45:12 1998 From: uksda at kupang.wasantara.net.id (Andalusi) Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 18:45:12 -0400 Subject: Coral Blasting Message-ID: <199809230023.AAA19600@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Dear Coral Listers As u all know probably that there are lots of coral blasting in Indonesia and as I am now based in Timor Islands and working for an environment agency It is very sad to know that we haven't been able to tackle the problem yet. The blasting event done by most of the fisherman is a chain of irresponsible action from some people. I agree that ppl who do the coral blasting is the poorest ppl. But it seems that they see this is a very easy way to collect fish compare using the line fishing method and also they cannot afford to have a (floating) bagan. But I have to admit probably there are some other force besides what has been thought as in the above, behind what they do. The detonator is not available freely, only certain organization can have the detonator Therefore to cut such action is a bit difficult. Since the distribution must come from internal source that are difficult to sought. Someone told me that sometimes an irrespponsible person from the responsible organization which should be guarding marine area is behind the distribution of the detonator. I can't do anything about coral blasting for a moment. The only thing I can do is coordinate patroling in the area. But it is not easy since there are many agencies should be involved. We are trying to coordinate the patroling with the navy, with the local government on policy problem so this can be tackled. Yet, we have a long way to go, in the meanwhile hopefully the coral is still there One more thing besides blasting is the cyanide fishing. Which can also be found in NTT. A recent survey by LIPI (indonesian Scientific Authority) has temporarily found out that the number of species of fish and any other marine life is very scarce in Kupang Bay. I don't know what phenomenon occured in here since we have very little expertise and manpower to conduct a good coral reef protection activities. Therefore, if u have any other report or suggestion, I hope that u can share it with us here in NTT please. I will pass the existing mail from this list to the responsible government agencies and navy hopefully we can do something about it. From EricHugo at aol.com Tue Sep 22 20:52:34 1998 From: EricHugo at aol.com (EricHugo at aol.com) Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 20:52:34 EDT Subject: Artificial reefs References Message-ID: <4ac5aea8.36084652@aol.com> There is someone I know here in Houston who is heading off the "Rigs to Reefs" program off Galveston island in Texas. He has also worked with similar programs off the Calfiornia coast and has, if I am not mistaken, accumulated some pretty good data and refernce material already. His name is James Wiseman and you can reach him at jwiseman at uclink.berkeley.edu. Eric Borneman From delbeek at hawaii.edu Tue Sep 22 23:24:40 1998 From: delbeek at hawaii.edu (J. Charles Delbeek) Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 17:24:40 -1000 Subject: coral blasting In-Reply-To: <70AAE52696@pmail.ucb.edu.bz> Message-ID: As I said, unless offered alternatives, the resources come second to survival. The examples you mentioned obviously hilight instances where alternatives HAVE been found be they better management of resources, alternative uses, sustainable yield programs, etc etc. Having contacts in the aquarium industry as well as in organisations such as Ocean Voice International, the International Marinelife Alliance, and Project Seahorse, I have some insight to the cyanide fishing issues in the Philippines and as well as the collection and devastation of seahorse populations around the Pacific basin. My comment concerned the message that it is easy to poohpooh people for dynamiting or overfishing their resources from the comfort of ones living room. Unless alternatives can be offered there is little incentive to stop. As a Philippine fisherman once told a friend of mine who was giving a lecture in a local village about reef ecology and the perils of overfishing "When I come home with my stomach empty and my family waiting for food, and I see a fish in the water ... what do you think I will do? Will I think I need to leave that fish for the good of the reef or will I catch it to feed my wife and children?" I consider native peoples as the people in living in the area, so yes Newfoundlanders are "native peoples" too :-) I did not mean to imply that being a "native" was in any way a comment on their environmental ethics. Please don't read between my lines. J. Charles Delbeek M.Sc. "The fact that my physiology differs from yours pleases me to no end." Mr. Spock > Your statement regarding native peoples, as I think others will > agree, is quite hasty. I think you will find there many > well documented examples of native people conserving marine > resources. I suggest you pick up copies of James McGoodwin's "Crisis > in the World's Fisheries" and "Words of the Lagoon" by Bob Johannes. > Carl Safina's, "Song for the Blue Ocean" also documents some > indigenous peoples efforts at conserving resources. > > Examples can also be found in the history of Maine's 'native' > lobstermen. If you would like some specific cites I would be > more than happy to contribute. > > I would offer that the fact that the people you refer to are native > people has little to do with resource degradation of this scale. > More often such exploitation comes from forcing small-scale, > artesinal, and subsistence fishers into a capital-based economy. It > is a plague that has devastated even the world's most abundant > fisheries, from Newfoundland cod to California anchovie and urchin. > I've not meant to be rude, but I feel that it is important to see > beyond this strong, hegemonistic, and typically-western viewpoint. > Thank you. > > Sincerely, > Jonathan Kelsey > > Research and Education Coordinator > University College of Belize > Marine Research Centre > P.O. Box 990 > Belize City, Belize > Central America > > Phone: 023-0256 > JKELSEY at ucb.edu.bz > > > > > > > "The fact that my physiology differs from yours pleases me to no end." > > Mr. Spock > > > > > > > From woodley at uwimona.edu.jm Wed Sep 23 00:40:57 1998 From: woodley at uwimona.edu.jm (Jeremy Woodley) Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 23:40:57 -0500 (GMT-0500) Subject: Dynamiting in Caribbean?? In-Reply-To: <3607982B.FD2AC005@erols.com> Message-ID: It has been taking place in Jamaica, mostly near Kingston, for at least thirty years. Jeremy Woodley On Tue, 22 Sep 1998, John Ware wrote: > Dear Listers, > > Appropos of the just listed material on blast fishing: > > Last week I overheard a recreational diver asserting that dynamite > fishing was being used on the island of Roatan (Honduras). The diver > had no data to support this contention, just stating what he had been > told on a recent trip. > > I have not heard of or read of blast fishing in the Caribbean in general > or on Roatan in particular. Do any of you have any information on > current use of blast fishing on Roatan or anywhere in the Caribbean? > > Thanks, > > John > -- > *********************************************************** > * * > * John R. Ware, PhD * > * President * > * SeaServices, Inc. * > * 19572 Club House Road * > * Gaithersburg, MD, 20886, USA * > * 301 987-8507 * > * jware at erols.com * > * * > * _ * > * ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * > * _|__ * > * | _ | * > * _______________________| |______ * > * |\/__ Sea Services, Inc. \ * > * |/\__________________________________/ * > *********************************************************** > From inco at istn.irost.com Wed Sep 23 16:57:36 1998 From: inco at istn.irost.com (inco at istn.irost.com) Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 15:57:36 -0500 Subject: No subject Message-ID: Dear Coral List Subscribers I was wondering if you would kindly help me with the following issue: I am a marine biologist(M.Sc.) and would like to work on a specific project regarding the environmental impacts and health (from ecological point of view)of the coral reefs of the Persian Gulf(IRAN). I am trying to get in touch with scientists and researchers who have worked on the coral reefs of this region, or if they have any suggestions or recommendations in this respect. I require this information concerning a research proposal, as the economical and developmental (including coastal tourism) activities is increasing in this region. Therefore, I would like to establish a baseline in order not only to increase public awarness but to help decision-makers to consider the "issues" in their long-term plans. I would be most grateful if you contact me at: Email: INCO at ISTN.IROST.COM Or Shokri_mr at hotmail.com Thank you in advance. Mohammad Reza Shokri Iranian National Center For Oceanography Living Resource Dep. No:51, Bozorgmehr Ave., 14168 Tehran - Iran P.O.Box:14155-4781 From coral at aoml.noaa.gov Wed Sep 23 10:07:31 1998 From: coral at aoml.noaa.gov (Coral Workstation at NOAA/AOML) Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 10:07:31 -0400 (EDT) Subject: CHAMP, coral-list shutdown Message-ID: <199809231409.OAA24386@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Due to the impending threat of Hurricane Georges, all computers at NOAA/AOML, including the one that serves the CHAMP Home Page and coral-list, will be shutdown until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience. Cheers, Jim Hendee CHAMP and coral-list administrator From kat1003 at cus.cam.ac.uk Wed Sep 23 11:28:14 1998 From: kat1003 at cus.cam.ac.uk (K.A. Teleki) Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 16:28:14 +0100 (BST) Subject: Reef Encounter - call for contributions Message-ID: DEALINE FOR CONTRIBUTIONS 1st OCTOBER REEF ENCOUNTER No. 24 NEWSLETTER OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR REEF STUDIES CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS Dear all, We are currently looking for articles for the next issue of Reef Encounter. We would welcome contributions from a few hundred words to a couple of pages on any aspect of reef studies, including news, comments, short reviews (but not original scientific data) and especially illustrations/cartoons. Our deadline is 1st October and text sent by email is strongly preferred. You can also send illustrations (and text if desired) to the address at the end of this message. Please email your articles to one of us at: Maggie Watson, iclarm at caribsurf.com David Obura, dobura at africaonline.co.ke Kristian Teleki, kat1003 at cus.cam.ac.uk If you are interested in joining the International Society for Reef Studies and receiving Reef Encounter please contact Callum Roberts, cr10 at york.ac.uk Thanks, Maggie, David and Kristian _______________________________________________________________ Kristian A. Teleki Tel +44 1223 333399 (General) Cambridge Coastal Research Unit +44 1223 339775 (Direct) Department of Geography University of Cambridge Fax +44 1223 355674 Downing Place Cambridge CB2 3EN Email: kat1003 at cus.cam.ac.uk United Kingdom _______________________________________________________________ From coral at aoml.noaa.gov Mon Sep 28 08:15:36 1998 From: coral at aoml.noaa.gov (Coral Workstation at NOAA/AOML) Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1998 08:15:36 -0400 (EDT) Subject: coral-list & CHAMP back online Message-ID: <199809281217.MAA00996@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Greetings, Coral-List and the CHAMP Home Page are back online. Sorry for any inconvenience. Cheers, Jim Hendee coral-list administrator From eakin at ogp.noaa.gov Wed Sep 23 22:57:58 1998 From: eakin at ogp.noaa.gov (Mark Eakin) Date: 23 Sep 1998 22:57:58 U Subject: Artificial reefs References Message-ID: Subject: Time: 9:30 AM RE>Artificial reefs References Date: 9/23/98 These are all older references, but may be a good start. Others on the list will be able to provide newer references: Bohnsack, J. A. and F. H. Talbot (1980). "Species-packing by reef fishes on Australian and Caribbean reefs an experimental approach." Bulletin of Marine Science 30(3): 710-723. Bohnsack, J. A. (1983). "Species turnover and the order versus chaos controversyconcerning reef fish community structure." Coral Reefs 1(4): 223-228. Bohnsack, J. A. (1983). "Resiliency of reef fish communities in the Florida Keys following a January 1977 hypothermal fish kill." Environmental Biology of Fishes 9(1): 41-53. Bohnsack, J. A. and D. L. Sutherland (1985). "Artificial reef research: a review with recommendations for future priorities." Bulletin of Marine Science 37(1): 11-39. Bohnsack, J. A. (1989). "Are high densities of fishes at artificial reefs the result of habitat limitation or behavioral preference?" Bulletin of Marine Science 44(2): 631-645. Hixon, M. A. and W. N. Brostoff (1985). "Substrate characteristics, fish grazing, and epibenthic reef assemblages off Hawaii." Bulletin of Marine Science 37(1): 200-213. Menge, B. A., L. R. Ashkenas, et al. (1983). "Use of artificial holes in studying community development in cryptic marine habitats in a tropical rocky intertidal region." Marine Biology 77: 129-142. Molles, M. C. (1978). "Fish species diversity on model and natural reef patches:experimental insular biogeography." Ecological Monographs 48(3): 289-305. Mueller, E. L. (1988). "Managing interreefal environments and resources by artificial constructions." Proceedings of the Sixth International Coral Reef Symposium, Townsville 2: 387-391. Russell, B. C., F. H. Talbot, et al. (1974). "Patterns of colinisation of artificial reefs by coral reeffishes." Proceedings of the Second International Coral Reef Symposium, Australia 1: 207-215. Russell, B. C., G. R. V. Anderson, et al. (1977). "Seasonality and recruitment of coral reef fishes." Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 28(4): 421-528. Sale, P. F., W. A. Douglas, et al. (1975). "Choice of microhabitats by coral reef fishes at settlement@ Coral Reefs at 3(2)@91-99 at 1984@file at reef fish/damsel/larvae/habitat@ Sale, PF/Dybdahl, R at Determinants of community structure for coral reef fishes in an experimental habitat." Ecology 56(6): 1343-1355. Schroeder, R. E. (1985). "Recruitment rate patterns of coral-reef fishes at Midway Lagoon (Northwestern Hawaiian Islands)." Proceedings of the Fifth International Coral Reef Congress, Tahiti 5: 379-384. Schuhmacher, H. (1988). "Development of coral communities on artificial reef types over 20 years (Eilat, Red Sea)." Proceedings of the Sixth International Coral Reef Symposium, Townsville 3: 379-384. Shulman, M. J., J. C. Ogden, et al. (1983). "Priority effects in the recruitment of juvenile coral reeffishes." Ecology 64(6): 1508-1513. Shulman, M. J. (1985). "Recruitment of coral reef fishes: effects of distribution of predators and shelter." Ecology 66(3): 1056-1066. Talbot, F. H., B. C. Russell, et al. (1978). "Coral reef fish communities unstable, high-diversity systems?" Ecological Monographs 48(4): 425-440. Williams, D. M. and P. F. Sale (1981). "Spatial and temporal patterns of recruitment of juvenile coral reef fishes to coral habitats within One Tree Lagoon, Great Barrier Reef." Marine Biology 65(3): 245-253. Cheers, Mark From d.fenner at aims.gov.au Mon Sep 28 19:13:35 1998 From: d.fenner at aims.gov.au (Doug Fenner) Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 09:13:35 +1000 Subject: Indonesia blast fishing Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.19980929091335.0070e9f0@email.aims.gov.au> In response to the observations on blast-fishing in Flores, Indonesia: There is no doubt that the situation in Indonesia is nearing disaster proportions. People are starving. The economy is already a mess, and will get worse. Present "aid" efforts, such as exist, are futile, self-serving and slow. We may be seeing a demonstration of how completely one man (one family) can wreck the fourth largest country in the world, the one that has (had?) more reefs than any on the planet. On the other hand, we should not kid ourselves that this is a new situation. Blast-fishing has been used in the region for almost a century. There are reports, backed up by eyewitness evidence (some of it mine) that the reefs all around the entire perimeter of Sumatra were largely bombed out in 3-4 years, in the early 1990's. There are places around Sulawesi where explosions every 10 min. are the norm! But the problem here lies in the phrase "eyewitness accounts." Indonesia probably has fewer published accounts of its reefs, per hectare, than anywhere else. We need rigorously conducted retrospective studies far more than we need anecdotal evidence. If we knew how fast the bomb (and don't forget the cyanide) destruction was accelerating due to the economic crash, we could make some econometric projections re value of lost resources that might have political impact. Having said that: I appreciate the value of Bert Hoeksma's observations (Bert has been out there for a long time, and knows a great deal about the place). Some if not most bomb damage produces destabilised rubble on which recruitment is slow. On the other hand, in many areas it is possible to see new recruits littering the bottom of craters a year old. In my opinion, a much larger longterm threat to the reefs of the entire SE Asian region is land-based sources of pollution, the subject of the recent UN Protocol. After the bombing and the cyanide stop (if they ever do), those reefs will gradually recover. In contrast, there are no sewage treatment plants anywhere in Indonesia, and few if any industrial controls (and none that are adhered to.) Our Java project has reported heavy metal values in marine sediments well above acceptable limits, and every major city in Indonesia has a big offshore reef gap. This situation is documented in an upcoming paper by Evan Edinger (Mar Poll Bull), in which he summarizes several reef studies from Indonesia and compares with data from older studies. In short, land-based sources produce something between total reef extirpation (as Tom Tomascik has described for Jakarta Bay) to a reduction of 30% in generic diversity over the past 15 years. Even in an economic crisis, food aid and better patrolling can reduce the damage from bombing. The other stuff just keeps on coming.... Yours in sorrow-Mike Risk riskmj at mcmail.cis.McMaster.CA From jlang at uts.cc.utexas.edu Mon Sep 28 20:29:53 1998 From: jlang at uts.cc.utexas.edu (Judith C. Lang) Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1998 18:29:53 -0600 Subject: Artificial reefs References Message-ID: <199809282326.SAA29210@curly.cc.utexas.edu> Coraleros, Thanks to Mark Eakin for the 1980's era references. P apers and abstracts presented at the "Fifth Interntional Conference of Aquatic Habitat Enhancement," many of which concern articifial reefs, were published in theBulletin of Marine Science vol 55 in 1994. In 1989, Bull. Mar. Sci. (vol. 44 ) published the proceedings of the fourth conference of this association. Judy Lang From c.wilkinson at aims.gov.au Mon Sep 28 19:59:17 1998 From: c.wilkinson at aims.gov.au (Clive Wilkinson) Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 09:59:17 +1000 Subject: Bleaching and ITMEMS Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.19980929095917.006d72a0@email.aims.gov.au> A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/enriched Size: 2828 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list-old/attachments/19980929/600922c0/attachment.bin From sh at dna.bio.warwick.ac.uk Tue Sep 29 04:14:45 1998 From: sh at dna.bio.warwick.ac.uk (sheppard) Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 09:14:45 +0100 Subject: Special issue of 'Biodiversity and Conservation 'on Coral Reefs Message-ID: <361096F5.6ECA@dna.bio.warwick.ac.uk> The Editor of the journal Biodiversity and Conservation (Prof Alan Bull) has invited me to help investigate the interest in and possible scope of a special issue of the journal on coral reefs. The journal is '...devoted to all aspects of biological diversity, its descriptions, analysis and conservation, and its controlled rational use by humankind...' Some crisp reviews in addition to a collection of papers is intended. If you have a paper in development which could fit the scope of this proposed collection and this journal, please contact me as soon as possible. At this early stage no closely focussed theme yet exists, other than to say that I think papers on 'other' groups (i.e. less often considered than are corals and fishes) would be welcome too. -- Best wishes Charles Sheppard From uksda at kupang.wasantara.net.id Tue Sep 29 05:41:23 1998 From: uksda at kupang.wasantara.net.id (Andalusi) Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 16:41:23 +0700 (JAVT) Subject: Need information Message-ID: <1265522138F@kupang.wasantara.net.id> Dear Coral Lister, I need your help, I read from a book entitled "Ecology of Nusa Tenggara and Maluku" there is an endemic coral species in Sumba. Please if someone know about this can you give me the picture or the description about this species. I also appreciate any other information concerning the coastal and marine life, what you observe when you visit Nusa Tenggara TImur, either it is in FLores, TImor, Sumba Lembata, Alor. This chain of island is definitely need someone's touch. The last expedition perhaps the Snellius expedition and it was way too long ago. Indonesia Scientific Institute has recently conduct a study in Kupang Bay, we are still waiting for the result :((. I hope that some of you could also make a study here in Nusa Tenggara Timur concerning marine and coastal diversity. It will give us a new input to our knowledge about our area. Thank you very much for your input. From norbert.schmidt at net4you.co.at Tue Sep 29 14:54:54 1998 From: norbert.schmidt at net4you.co.at (norbert schmidt) Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 11:54:54 -0700 Subject: coral bleaching Message-ID: <36112CFE.5D07@net4you.co.at> Dear members, for publications I need to know extent and geographical destribution of bleached regions. Is the Red Sea effected ? Your cooperation is important and most appreciated. I was for two months in Maldives. As you will be aware more than 90% of the archipelago?s corals are dead.Acroporae are gone completely with a few exceptions,no recovering at all. Porites seem to do well and largely get back to normal.As well anenemies are gaining colour again. A personal note: I do not believe at all, this happened for the first time to Maldives. When I started diving there end of 70ies, the reefs all over looked very much same as now (=covered with algae), founding the Maldive?s reputation as top fish- but poor coral-area.We thought Acanthaster must have hit, but it looks now like an unrecognized bleaching event. Please infos on effected regions! Thanking You Norbert Schmidt From bt3171 at qmw.ac.uk Mon Sep 28 09:23:50 1998 From: bt3171 at qmw.ac.uk (Cassian Edwards) Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1998 14:23:50 +0100 Subject: Insecticide on a Reef Message-ID: <000001bdeae3$3b0e2360$100b258a@casper> Hello, I am thinking of using an insectide to eliminate mesoherbivores from algal biomass as part of a treatment looking at grazing rates. The planned experiment will be conducted in situ on an algal-dominated coral reef and away from any coral populations (>20m). The last thing I want to do is to use an insecticide that could potentially cause damage to any other organisms, other than those within the treatment, either by way of the quantity of dose applied or via the longevity of the insecticide within the water system. The planned procedure would be to squirt a minimal amount of a suitable insecticide into a temporararily sealable bag/container encapsulating ~20g of macroalgae of approximately 1.5L capacity for a period of about 20 minutes before removal from the bag/container. Perhaps I could have some 'positive' feedback as to what types of insecticide could be applicable (as well as dose), and also to the general procedure and morality of such an experiment. Please reply directly to myself at c.edwards at qmw.ac.uk and I will endeavour to post a detailed reply at a later date. Thank you. Cassian Edwards School of Biological Sciences Queen Mary and Westfield College University of London Mile End Road London E1 4NS ENGLAND Tel: +44 (0)171 975 5555 ext. 4121 Fax: +44 (0)181 983 0973 Email: c.edwards at qmw.ac.uk From jonima at tin.it Thu Sep 24 17:25:02 1998 From: jonima at tin.it (Nicola Marchesi) Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 22:25:02 +0100 Subject: Ship Groundings on Coral Reefs Message-ID: <360AB7A8.5491@tin.it> Dear All, I'm currently trying to collect all possible information on the ecological, social, economic and legal implications of ship groundings on coral reefs. I would be gratefull to anybody who could provide me with usefull sources of information or with the contact details of someone who is involved in research activities on the subject. Also, where can I find some statistics on the occurrance of ship groundings throughout the world ? Please send all replies to my personal e-mail address and I'll post a resume of the information I received on the coral-list in due course. Thank you in advance for all the help you will be able to give me. Best Regards to all, -- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: NICOLA MARCHESI (Mr.) Marine Environmental Scientist VIA BORGOGNA 7 20122 MILANO, ITALIA home tel & fax +39 02 795855 mobile tel +39 335 6633182 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: From dodge at nsu.acast.nova.edu Tue Sep 29 08:14:19 1998 From: dodge at nsu.acast.nova.edu (Richard E. Dodge) Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 08:14:19 -0400 Subject: Conference Notice: CORAL REEF ASSESSMENT, MONITORING, AND RESTORATION, April 14-16, 1999, Ft. Lauderdale, FL Message-ID: <3.0.4.32.19980929081419.00774d20@ocean.nova.edu> Dear Coral Listers, Here is an announcement and call for papers for what we feel will be a very interesting April 14-16, 1999 Conference. Please check the indicated web site or write for more info. ************************************************************************** ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR PAPERS: International Conference on: SCIENTIFIC ASPECTS OF CORAL REEF ASSESSMENT, MONITORING, AND RESTORATION 14-16 April 1999 Ft. Lauderdale, FL USA Organized by the National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI) Purpose: To develop a scientific synthesis of assessment, monitoring, and restoration designed for enhanced understanding and management of all aspects of coral reefs. This conference seeks to also identify emerging concepts and to describe new and innovative scientific and technological approaches. Format: The conference will include invited keynote and plenary talks, contributed papers in three concurrent sessions, a poster session, and workshops. Abstracts: Abstract submission information is available on the web or will be mailed upon request. A special peer-reviewed publication of Plenary Talks and selected Contributed Papers is planned. Registration: Early registration fees apply before 1 January 1999. There is a significant student discount. Registration includes the Conference program of invited Keynote, Plenary Talks, Contributed Papers, Poster Session, Abstract Book, opening reception, closing banquet, poster reception, continental breakfast and break refreshments for each of the three days. Venue: The Radisson Bahia Mar Beach Resort is located in the heart of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Special conference rates are available. For more information on the conference and for registration please check the web at: http://www.nova.edu/ocean/ncri/confinfo_1.html or contact: National Coral Reef Institute Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center 8000 N. Ocean Dr. Dania, FL 33004 USA ncriconfinfo at mako.ocean.nova.edu PHONE: 954-920-1909 Fax: 954-921-7764 ************************************************************************** Thanks, Dick Dodge Richard E. Dodge, Ph.D. Dean, Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center 8000 N. Ocean Dr.; Dania, FL 33004 voice (954) 920-1909; fax (954)-921-7764 NSU OC web page: http://www.nova.edu/ocean/ NOTICE: International Conference on: SCIENTIFIC ASPECTS OF CORAL REEF ASSESSMENT, MONITORING, AND RESTORATION National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI) April 14-16, 1999, Ft. Lauderdale, FL http://www.nova.edu/ocean/ncri/confinfo_1.html From dthoney at idt.net Tue Sep 29 10:18:12 1998 From: dthoney at idt.net (Dennis A. Thoney, Ph.D.) Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 10:18:12 -0400 Subject: Post doc working with sea horses Message-ID: <3610EC24.190C@idt.net> I have been asked to forward avertisements for two post docs. Please forward your resumes to Jeff Boehem at JBoehm at sheddaquarium.org -- Dennis A. Thoney, Ph.D. General Curator New York Aquarium Wildlife Conservation Society Boardwalk and West 8th St. Brooklyn, NY 11224 www.wcs.org -------------- next part -------------- POSITION DESCRIPTION COLLABORATION PROJECT SEAHORSE INTERNATIONAL/JOHN G. SHEDD AQUARIUM TITLE: Aquarium Research Coordinator Project Seahorse International / John G. Shedd Aquarium DEPARTMENT: Conservation, Shedd Aquarium REPORTS TO: VP Research and Veterinary Services (Shedd) With additional supervision from: Dr. Heather Hall (PSI, Zoological Society of London) Dr. Amanda Vincent (PSI, McGill University) and the Director of Conservation (Shedd) The primary responsibility of this team member will be to develop and co-ordinate research on syngnathid husbandry, management and conservation in public aquaria and among skilled hobbyists. S/he will draw on the outputs from - an international aquarium workshop on seahorse husbandry, conservation and management at JGSA. Approx Duties and Responsibilities % time 20 1. Coordinate and prompt research action among involved institutions * 20 2. Design experimental protocols, organize data gathering, and guide analysis 15 3. Design and maintain databases 15 4. Write reports, papers, briefing documents and articles 15 5. Liaise with professionals and colleagues representing complementary disciplines (e.g., pathologists, nutritionists, culturists) * 10 6. Respond to public inquiries 5 7. Perform other duties as assigned. * includes participating in professional fora (e.g., annual AZA meetings), presenting papers, leading discussion groups, etc. Position Specifications: 1. Education: PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant biological science (e.g. aquatic biology, aquaculture, conservation biology). 2. Relevant Work Experience: Experience working in the husbandry of aquatic species, field conservation relevant to the care and husbandry of aquatic species and/or experience in an aquarium or zoological park setting is essential. Experience in the management of scientific research databases is essential. Experience in the coordination of research scientists preferred. Experience working in developing countries an asset. 3. Special Knowledge and Skills: Experimental design and statistical analysis; database management; familiarity with issues in aquatic conservation; previous knowledge of syngnathid husbandry and biology preferred though not required; foreign language skills an asset. 4. Personal Characteristics: The ideal candidate will be highly independent with strong written and oral communication skills. S/he will need to network with a wide range of colleagues internationally, and will be responsible to both PSI and the Shedd Aquarium. This position will require strong interpersonal skills, effective time management and a great deal of flexibility. 5. Location andTravel: This position is based in Chicago, USA with extensive national and international travel. One of several positions supporting the collaboration between Project Seahorse International and the John G. Shedd Aquarium. In the initial phases, one of these positions will be based at the Shedd Aquarium and the others will be based at McGill University in Montreal. Date position description finalised: August 18, 1998 POSITION DESCRIPTION COLLABORATION PROJECT SEAHORSE INTERNATIONAL/JOHN G. SHEDD AQUARIUM TITLE: Special Activity Co-ordinator Project Seahorse International / John G. Shedd Aquarium DEPARTMENT: PSI, McGill University REPORTS TO: Dr. Amanda Vincent (PSI, McGill University) With additional supervision from: VP Research and Veterinary Services (Shedd) Dr. Heather Hall (PSI, Zoological Society of London) and the Director of Conservation (Shedd) The primary responsibility of this team member will be to develop and implement special activities to support syngnathid conservation and management, in consultation with PSI teams and in collaboration with JGSA personnel and external partners. These projects will be wide ranging, from educational materials and livelihood development to policy briefings. First priority will be joint initiatives with the JGSA, but the person will also support other PSI activities. The person will, in consultation with supervisors and institutions: (a) develop proposals for special projects; (b) obtain grants to support special PSI projects; (c) co-ordinate agreed activities, liaising among participants and stakeholders, and finding supporting expertise where necessary; (d) provide PSI technical input to agreed activities, undertaking or facilitating biological or management research and analysis; (e) write reports, papers, briefing documents and articles to support PSI initiatives, including those led by other team members; (f) manage resource databases for PSI; (g) develop and maintain web sites for PSI-related activities; and (h) perform other duties as assigned. Examples of projects to be undertaken by the special activity co-ordinator might be: publications (e.g. middle reader book, adult coffee table book) educational support (e.g. teachers' pack, scholarship modules, environmental studies map) legislative analysis, policy briefings international activities in support of alternative livelihood ventures in the Philippines web site development, information resource management technical support (e.g. field guide revision) Approx Duties and Responsibilities % time 25 1. Provide PSI technical input to agreed activities, undertaking or facilitating biological or management research and analysis. 20 2. Coordinate agreed activities, liaising among participants and stakeholders, and finding supporting expertise where necessary. 15 3. Write reports, papers, briefing documents and articles 10 4. Develop proposals for special projects, in consultation with supervisors and institutions. 10 5. Obtain grants to support special PSI projects, in consultation with JGSA 10 6. Manage resource databases for PSI 5 7. Develop and maintain web sites for PSI-related activities 5 8. Perform other duties as assigned. Position Specifications: 1. Education: The applicant must possess a PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant biological science (e.g. aquatic biology, aquaculture, conservation biology). 2. Relevant Work Experience: Experience in conservation-related research and management required. Experience in environmental education, web site design, public relations, publishing, and policy development would all be assets. Project leadership skill and experience working in developing countries preferred. 3. Special Knowledge and Skills: Strong written and oral communication skills are essential. The following would be desirable: teaching experience, familiarity with issues in aquatic conservation, good computer skills, artistic and statistical abilities, previous knowledge of syngnathid biology, foreign language skills. French would be an asset in Montreal, a bilingual city. 4. Personal Characteristics: The ideal candidate will be highly independent. S/he will need to network with a wide range of colleagues internationally, and will be responsible to both PSI and the Shedd Aquarium. This position will require strong interpersonal skills, effective time management and a great deal of flexibility. 5. Location and Travel: This position is based in Montreal, Canada with frequent visits to Chicago, USA and other extended international travel. 6. Citizenship. "In accordance with Canadian immigration policy, this advertisement is directed first at Canadian citizens." **AV to check exact wording required. One of several positions supporting the collaboration between Project Seahorse International and the John G. Shedd Aquarium. In the initial phases, one of these positions will be based at the Shedd Aquarium and the others will be based at McGill University in Montreal. Date position description finalised: August 18, 1998 From holtzd%fkeys at cenmarine.com Tue Sep 29 20:50:03 1998 From: holtzd%fkeys at cenmarine.com (holtzd%fkeys at cenmarine.com) Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 20:50:03 -0400 Subject: Keys Reefs After George Message-ID: A group of experienced divers and snorkelers will be looking Thursday at initial post-hurricane conditions along the shallow reef tops off Boca Chica and Key West and reporting their anecdotal findings. Our goal is simply to scope out how things appear and perhaps identify questions that need to be answered based on our observations. Any suggestions from the scientific community and others on how best to accomplish this limited inquiry would be appreciated. Also, any requests or thoughts from researchers who have a particular interest in the Western Sambos Ecological Reserve and the Sand Key, Rock Key and Eastern Dry Rocks Sanctuary Protected Areas are welcome. Thank you. ************************************************************************* David Holtz Center for Marine Conservation Florida Keys Office 513 Fleming Street Suite 14 Key West, FL 33040 305-295-3370 305-295-3371 (fax) dholtz at cenmarine.com fkeysman at aol.com (home) From d.fenner at aims.gov.au Wed Sep 30 01:47:34 1998 From: d.fenner at aims.gov.au (Doug Fenner) Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 15:47:34 +1000 Subject: Good Indonesia news Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.19980930154734.0076b108@email.aims.gov.au> In spite of these horror stories from other areas in Indonesia, I have a bit of good news (relative). We are working in several communities in North Sulawesi and there has been no noticible increase in bomb fishing in this area. Bomb fishing is occuring here (and we have educational campaigns underway to help reduce and hopefully/ultimately to stop it), but it is occuring at about the same rate as a year ago. North Sulawesi , economically, is doing quite well as the rupiah devaluation has meant that exports here of copra, cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, seawed make farming attractive and may actually be reducing fishing pressure a bit as people move to farming export crops rather than fishing. However, we have not yet noticed changes in fishing effort yet either as fish prices have also increased (the increase in prices of farm versus fish produce is kind of a wash with each other). In fact, in a recent survey we conducted in June 1998, more than half the respondents in 4 villages surveyed on the Maluku sea coast said they were better off or the same compared to a year ago!!!! The local joke going around here is that there is no resesi (recesion) only resepsi (receptions). People in Manado are starting to have trouble finding maids as farming has become more lucrative recently. Brian Crawford Technical Advisor Proyek Pesisir (Coastal Resources Management Project - Indonesia) URI Coastal Resources Center Manado Field Office Jalan Wolter Mongisidi No. 5 Kleak, Ling. I Rt. 01/19 Manado, Sulawesi Utara 95115 Indonesia Tel: (62-431) 841-671 or 841-672 Fax: (62-431) 841-673 email: crawford at manado.wasantara.net.id CRC WWW site: http://crc.uri.edu (forwarded by Doug Fenner) Douglas Fenner, Ph.D. Coral Taxonomist Australian Institute of Marine Science PMB No 3 Townsville MC Queensland 4810 Australia phone 07 4753 4241 e-mail: d.fenner at aims.gov.au web: http://www.aims.gov.au From jonima at tin.it Thu Sep 24 05:17:24 1998 From: jonima at tin.it (Nicola Marchesi) Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 10:17:24 +0100 Subject: Ship Groundings on Coral Reefs Message-ID: <360A0E24.2DD8@tin.it> Dear All, I'm currently trying to collect all possible information on the ecological, social, economic and legal implications of ship groundings on coral reefs. I would be gratefull to anybody who could provide me with usefull sources of information or with the contact details of someone who is involved in research activities on the subject. Also, where can I find some statistics on the occurrance of ship groundings throughout the world ? Please send all replies to my personal e-mail address and I'll post a resume of the information I received on the coral-list in due course. Thank you in advance for all the help you will be able to give me. Best Regards to all, -- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: NICOLA MARCHESI (Mr.) Marine Environmental Scientist VIA BORGOGNA 7 20122 MILANO, ITALIA home tel & fax +39 02 795855 mobile tel +39 335 6633182 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::