[Coral-List] SCTLD

[Martinelli,Maurizio M]

Hello Coral-Listers,



Since 2014, the Florida Reef Tract has been experiencing a persistent outbreak of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). This disease affects roughly half of Florida's coral species -- including all our major framework builders, corals that contribute substantially to coral cover, and ESA-listed species -- and has led to significant population declines of affected species in impacted areas. Outside of Florida, SCTLD has now been reported in eight Caribbean locations.



Due to the severity and longevity of this outbreak in Florida, a response has coalesced among management agencies, researchers, conservation practitioners, non-governmental organizations, veterinarians, and engaged citizens. Here, the response is led by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and National Park Service.



Our partners have begun producing a quarterly bulletin to provide high-level updates on the SCTLD outbreak and response efforts, with a focus on Florida. To receive this quarterly Florida SCTLD Response Bulletin in your inbox, please send an email to Coral at FloridaDEP.gov<mailto:Coral at FloridaDEP.gov> with the subject line "Sign me up for SCTLD bulletin."



For up-to-date information and news related to the Florida response efforts (including a link to the first quarterly bulletin), please visit: https://floridakeys.noaa.gov/coral-disease/. Technical information on the SCTLD response can be found here: https://floridadep.gov/rcp/coral/content/stony-coral-tissue-loss-disease-response. Information pertinent to the wider Caribbean region can be found at: https://www.agrra.org/coral-disease-outbreak/.



Best regards,

Maurizio ?


Maurizio M. Martinelli
Coral Disease Response Coordinator
Florida Sea Grant
Email: mmartinelli1 at ufl.edu
Office: (305) 795-1221
Cell: (352) 665-9920