tarponchik
Contributor
Let's not forget the evil twin of climate change, ocean acidification.
White Plague spreading on the Cozumel Coral???
- Thread starter ANDREW INGRAM
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I had last dove in Cozumel mid last November, came back down here for good back in April. I seen nothing related to the Stoney Coral disease in November but was shocked at what I saw in April. Friends tell me that it started appearing in December.
Being sorta retired and nothing much to do, I wanted to do water samples, send them out to labs etc etc - but was directed to the NOAA site to learn about the disease and what was going on. They have hundreds of people that are 1000 times smarter than I and they can't figure it out but they are trying - I figure they are way smarter, have way more resources and way more direction than you or I.
It doesn't mean that we shouldn't get involved or educate ourselves about what they are doing. The webinar link above is from early May this year, there is a ton of information, history and contact info in there. I'd hope that the local Marine Park is in contact with them and working with them in some way or another, a local dive company has done some things but I'm not sure if those things were sanctioned by anyone.
Ministryofgiraffes
Contributor
I saw it today.
Likewise. I dove there last April (2018), as I have done at least once a year since 1995 and I didn't see any of it that I can recall. I dove there again last month and it was pretty advanced by then. Whatever it is, it's pretty virulent. I will take a look at your link when I get a chance, and thanks!
scubafanatic
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Any sign of dive packages, resorts, etc. lowering their prices to reflect the new normal ? Seeing any spike in dive ops/boats going up for sale ?
That picture shows just how fast this disease progresses along. My understanding, unlike bleaching where coral can rebound, this is dead as in not coming back dead. The disease does not effect all coral, just certain types.
I'm not very politically correct so shoot me now - Yes this is terrible, tragic and all that - it's not devastating nor anywhere near OMG I can't dive Cozumel...... I had a fantastic day underwater today, and expect the same tomorrow. One thing it may show is just how important the marine park can be in the caring for of Cozumel.
scubafanatic
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Ministryofgiraffes
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Nah, I wouldn’t say it’s that bad. Probably not for a couple of years yet.. big if you haven’t been to Cozumel, probably better tick it off sooner than later
I wouldn't think so. Not yet, anyway. Maybe never. So far, the affected corals are not that large a percentage of all there is to see there.
Brules
Contributor
Def not going to kill the dive industry, diving is still fantastic there, it is just shocking how fast this is progressing once it hits.
I had a diver with me for several days who is a ocean biologist and he noticed it right off the bat and said there are some corals that are resistant to it and they will have to repopulate which is a slow process. Its like small pox for coral, its very deadly but a certain % is naturally resistant to it.
I had a diver with me for several days who is a ocean biologist and he noticed it right off the bat and said there are some corals that are resistant to it and they will have to repopulate which is a slow process. Its like small pox for coral, its very deadly but a certain % is naturally resistant to it.
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