[Coral-List] Re: Coral Bleaching Observed on coral reefs in San Andres, Colombia

[Alan E Strong]

Note:

    http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data2/dhwa.7.12.2005.gif

Our Degree Heating Weeks product shows levels close to "8" in many 
areas...highest we have ever seen since we began this thermal stress 
accumulation product (1985)...only 1995 appears to have come close to 
this level in that region off Panama/Columbia!!

regards,
Al Strong
Coral Reef Watch

Billy Causey wrote:

> Greetings,
> I apologize up front for any cross-postings. 
>
> I just returned to the Florida Keys (July 8) from an International 
> Advisory Board meeting with CORALINA in San Andres. On July 4th Martha 
> Prada and other CORALINA staff took Cheri Recchia, Jan Steffen and 
> myself snorkeling on reefs off San Andres.  While the Diadema 
> population appeared to be rather abundant and healthy, some of the 
> corals were showing signs of stress.  Colonies of/ Millepora 
> complanata /were bleached .... with colonies ranging from fully 
> bleached-out to colonies that were partially bleached.  While none of 
> the other species of corals were fully bleached, there was some paling 
> observed.
>
> One evening, CORALINA hosted a meeting with Seaflower MPA stakeholders 
> and I had a discussion with Valentino Duffis, a Fisher Advisor to 
> CORALINA.  Mr Duffis said, "in his 25 years of fishing the San Andres 
> Archipelago, he had never witnessed the calm weather conditions for as 
> long as he has over the past few months."  His observation was that 
> thermal stress was having an impact on  the marine environment.
>
> At an October 2004 meeting in the same area ... I observed rather 
> extensive coral bleaching on some of the shallow coral reefs around 
> San Andres.  I believe I posted those observations at the time.
>
> Jim Hendee .... how do we get a CREWS station in San Andres?
>
> sincerely, Billy Causey


-- 
**** <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* 
Alan E. Strong  
Branch Chief, Marine Ecosystem and Climate Branch (MECB)
Coral Reef Watch Project Coordinator
Phys Scientist/Oceanographer 
  NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/SOCD -- E/RA3  {formerly NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/ORAD}
  NOAA Science Center -- RM 601 
  5200 Auth Road
  Camp Springs, MD 20746-4304 
        Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov
             301-763-8102 x170   [Tues-Thurs]
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