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CORAL DISEASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
RESEARCH DATE(S)2012 - [TBA]
RESEARCH MISSION
The goal of this project is to continue to help decrease the devasting effects of coral disease in reefs around Little Cayman Island. Last year, thanks to our DWAR divers, we completed a pilot project to evaluate whether it would be possible to stop the progression of specific diseases that are killing hundred-year-old colonies in a matter of weeks. This critical pilot project was funded by PADI Project AWARE Foundation. We will start this initiative as a small project, and will continue to upgrade the scope of our work with the assistance of DWAR divers.
The main goal of this project is to continue test a system to manage coral disease outbreaks at multiple scales and effectively decrease live coral loss to disease. We were successful in designing and testing a method that worked to stop the progress of coral disease, in particular, White Plague Syndromes.
Specific Field Work for DWAR Divers: Divers will help relocate corals that were tagged in summer 2006. These corals will be photographed and viewed by the group to determine whether the disease is progressing and what the rate of progress was. A series of new corals will be tagged and carefully treated with a special epoxy mixture.A series of visits will be made after epoxy is applied and corals will be documented by the DWAR research team. The results from the preliminary study indicates that it is possible to stop the spread of White plague disease.
THE RESEARCHER(S)
DIVING ACTIVITIES
Each research dive will involve several activities. Divers will help with logistic support, such as carrying research equipment (transect lines, pins, hammers, etc). Also, divers will aid in tagging corals, taking temperature measurements, taking photographs of tagged corals, etc. Removal of the diseased band will be accomplished by scientists but divers will assist in handling materials and equipment during this process. More detailed information will be provided in the first day of the program.
SPECIAL NOTES
None.
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