[Coral-List] Recovering Acropora cervicornis populations-USVI

[Robert Brewer]

 Approximately 2km off the south shore of St Thomas (USVI), an area immediately east of Flat Cay contains extensive cervicornis fields.  The fields start at 3-4m depth near the cay's eastern edge and drop to 10-11 meters as the slope declines.  The healthiest coral is nearest the cay, with predation and disease increasing with depth and distance from the cay (anecdotal observations over the last year); unfortunately Hurricane Earl inflicted some damage on the fields, but the extent has not been determined.  The entire area containing these fields is ~3 acres.

Rob Brewer
Master of Marine and Environmental Science student
University of the Virgin Islands
email: allsport1 at hotmail.com