scubabdref
Registered
just got back a couple weeks ago and while had a wonderful trip, can see how much the environment is under threat. Dived on Kauai and Kona, most visible was retreat of live reef while snorkeling at Kahalu'u park south of Kona. We were there in 2006 and 2011, both times we were probably there at high tide, turtles right up to shore, coral "pillows" covered with live coral, lots of fish, vibrant. We were there an hour after high tide this time, the fish were reasonably plentiful, but the perceptible health of the coral was a lot less. Bleaching on the tops of the ring corals (sorry, I don't know the correct terms, so I'm using descriptive names) and far fewer live outcroppings. Lots of dead coral (staghorn). Covered with dead organic matter
We saw the same on our dives, the fish are there, but noticeably fewer, and the reef is not healthy, signs of bleaching, and lots of dead coral. Is this correctly observed, is it widespread across the islands, and are the causes as "simple" as ocean warming, a recent temp spike producing a current bleaching event, too much organic runoff, too many tourists, or... Haven't been underwater in the islands in 4 years, and it looks like we can see environmental decay before our eyes based on our memories.
Mahalo nui loa and aloha !
We saw the same on our dives, the fish are there, but noticeably fewer, and the reef is not healthy, signs of bleaching, and lots of dead coral. Is this correctly observed, is it widespread across the islands, and are the causes as "simple" as ocean warming, a recent temp spike producing a current bleaching event, too much organic runoff, too many tourists, or... Haven't been underwater in the islands in 4 years, and it looks like we can see environmental decay before our eyes based on our memories.
Mahalo nui loa and aloha !