By Pacific Island Times News Staff
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has warned that Guam’s coral reefs are predicted to experience severe and widespread bleaching that could lead to their eventual demise.
Guam’s reefs have barely recuperated from severe bleaching events that occurred nearly every summer from 2013 to 2017, which resulted in the mortality of one third of the island's corals.
Scientists said the rising temperature is reversing the coral reefs’ seven-year recovery.
In April, NOAA confirmed that Guam is experiencing the fourth global coral bleaching event due to extremely high ocean temperatures worldwide.
Coral bleaching occurs when rising ocean temperatures and other environmental stressors cause corals to eject their symbiotic microalgae, leading to the coral colony turning white and rapidly declining in health.
NOAA said water temperatures just 2℉ hotter than the maximum threshold for corals for four weeks is enough to trigger widespread bleaching. Guam’s bleaching threshold is 86℉, and local ocean temperatures began to climb past 86℉ starting in April.
So far, only patches of bleaching have been observed affecting certain coral species, according to the Guam Reef Restoration and Intervention Partnership or GRRIP, a group of local reef managers, scientists and practitioners.
However, on Sept. 29, Guam’s waters entered Bleaching Alert Level 2: the highest possible alert for our region which indicates that significant bleaching and mortality is expected within the next month.
NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch program delivers real-time data on ocean temperatures and bleaching warnings.
The new emerging threats to coral reefs have prompted GRRIP to launch an information drive in preparation for the potential recurrence of coral bleaching.
“Over the past several months, GRRIP members have been monitoring the current health of Guam’s reefs through snorkeling surveys looking for signs of bleaching,” GRIIP said in a press release.
GRRIP said it plans to initiate an island-wide bleaching surveying effort to determine which reefs and species experience the most mortality.
“These surveys may help GRRIP identify less-impacted sites or bleaching-resistant corals that could be grown in local coral nurseries and outplanted in other areas,” the group said.
Guam reefs provide seafood, coastal protection from big waves, meaningful interactions with nature, tourist attractions and cultural traditions.
“Severe bleaching can eliminate the reef’s ability to provide these benefits, and it is in our community’s best interest to do all we can to give our reefs their best chance at survival,” GRRIP said.
The group urged residents and tourists to remain extra vigilant and follow best practices for ocean recreation, such as avoiding stepping on corals, using reef-safe sunblock, proper disposal of trash, and anchoring boats away from the reef to avoid anchor damage. Fishermen are advised to ensure that no fishing gear is left on the reef where it can entangle and physically damage marine life.
If you notice coral bleaching while snorkeling or diving, you are encouraged to report these observations to GRRIP through the Eyes of the Reef Marianas citizen science portal: https://eormarianas.org/quick-report/.
Last week, The Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs announced a $293,511 grant to support the Guam Department of Agriculture’s FY2024 Coral
Reef Initiative for management, coordination, education, outreach, research and
regional coordination related to the protection of coral reef natural resources.
The funds awarded to Guam were part of the $2.6 million federal grant under the Coral Reef and Natural Resources Funds to Protect Natural Resources and Biodiversity in the Insular Areas.
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