Subject: RE: The Dust Hypothesis Date: Wed, 1 Jan 2003 17:45:28 -0500 From: szmanta To: "Precht, Bill" , coral-list Dear All: I have read several times the hypothesis that the Diadema die-off in the Caribbean was somehow caused by African dust. Can someone explain to me the logic behind this when the same species of sea urchin is doing well, and matter of fact, has been a pest because of too high of population densities on reefs just off the West coast of Africa (much closer to the dust and potential pathogen source)? Happy New Year to all. Alina Szmant >===== Original Message From "Precht, Bill" ===== >Dear Coral List: > >For those following the "dust" for the past few years I thought you might >find these tidbits of interest. > >Have a great holiday! >- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > >The Dust Hypothesis > >Question: > >Why have coral reefs that are bathed in clear oceanic waters throughout >much of the Caribbean suffered algal infestation, coral diseases, and near >extinction of herbivorous sea urchins almost simultaneously during the >1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s? The best known factors detrimental to coral >reefs include sewage, run-off from land, dredging, UV light, etc. These >factors do not apply for many affected reefs where human population is low. >Is there an alternative way to spread nutrients and diseases? > >(Contineud) > >http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/ > > > Online mini-movie > > Watch USGS scientists Ginger Garrison, Gene Shinn, Chuck Holmes, and > Dale Griffin in "The Effects of Globally Transported African and > Asian Dust on Coral Reef and Human Health" > > http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/documentary/ > > > National Public Radio interview > > Project scientists Gene Shinn and Ginger Garrison were interviewed > along with geologist/novelist Sarah Andrews on National Public Radio > station KQED in San Francisco on the popular morning talk show > "Forum" on January 15, 2002. Listen to the interview. > > www.kqed.org/audioarchive/frameset/forum/2002/01/2002-01-15b-forum.html > > >//////////////// > > >Mercury From China Rains Down on California > > Environmental News Service (ENS) > http://ens-news.com/ > > December 20, 2002 > >SANTA CRUZ, California, - Industrial emissions in Asia are a major source >of mercury in rainwater that falls along the California coast, a new study >suggests. > >The mercury in rainwater is not in itself a health threat, but mercury >pollution is a problem in San Francisco Bay and other California waters >because the toxic element builds up in the food chain. State regulatory >agencies are looking for ways to reduce the amount of mercury entering the >state's waters from various sources. > >It is not just the mercury itself but a whole cocktail of atmospheric >pollutants that contribute to the deposition of mercury in rainfall. >Elemental mercury behaves as a gas in the atmosphere and is not washed out >in rain until it has been oxidized into a charged ionic form that can be >captured by water droplets. > >Ozone, a major component of urban and industrial smog, plays a key role in >this oxidation process, said Douglas Steding, lead author of a paper >published Thursday in the online edition of the "Journal of Geophysical >Research - Atmospheres." The report by Steding and other researchers from >the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) will appear in a later >print edition of the journal. > >"There is a relatively large reservoir of mercury in the atmosphere, and >it's the rate of oxidation that determines how much of it gets deposited in >rainfall," Steding said. > >Mercury is a trace contaminant of most coal, and emissions from coal >burning power plants are a major source of mercury pollution in many parts >of the world. In the Pacific Basin, the main source of atmospheric mercury >is coal combustion in China. > >China relies on coal as a fuel and accounts for about 10 percent of the >total global industrial emissions of mercury. > >Air pollution in China also generates ozone, which peaks during the winter >due to increased fuel consumption for heating. Air loaded with mercury and >ozone moves off the continent into the Western Pacific, where it is >incorporated into developing storms. > >"The mercury we measured in rainwater results from a combination of mercury >emissions and ozone production, as well as meteorological factors - the >storm tracks that transport the pollutants across the Pacific," Steding >said. > >Steding collected rainwater samples at two sites in central California: on >the coast at UCSC's Long Marine Laboratory and at Moffett Field near San >Jose, on the inland side of the Santa Cruz Mountains. For each rainfall >event, the researchers used air mass trajectories calculated by a national >climate lab to trace the movement of the storms across the Pacific from >Asia. > >Rainwater collected at the coastal site showed the background >concentrations of mercury in storms as they arrived off the Pacific Ocean. >Those measurements were about three times higher than estimates of the >natural, preindustrial level, Steding said. > >Rainwater from the inland site showed mercury concentrations 44 percent >higher than at the coastal site. Steding attributed the difference between >the two sites to ozone in Bay Area smog, rather than local emissions of >mercury. > >"There is a local influence of urban smog on the mercury oxidation rate. We >see a background signal of mercury blowing off the Pacific, then a local >enrichment that's probably due to urban smog," Steding said. "If we want to >reduce mercury deposition, it's not enough to shut down local emissions of >mercury, because other pollutants influence how much of the mercury in the >atmosphere ends up in rainwater." > >Steding said people should not worry about health effects from the mercury >in rainwater, because the concentrations are very low. But the deposition >in rain does add mercury to surface waters, where the toxin enters the food >chain and builds up to high levels in certain kinds of fish. > >State health officials have issued advisories warning people not to eat >fish from more than a dozen bodies of water in California, including San >Francisco Bay. > > # # # > >http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2002/2002-12-20-09.asp#anchor1 > > >/////////////////// > > >Steding, Douglas J.; Flegal, A. Russell > >Mercury concentrations in coastal California precipitation: >Evidence of local and trans-Pacific fluxes of mercury to North America > >10.1029/2002JD002081 > >19 December 2002 > >http://www.agu.org/pubs/toc2002/jd.shtml#dec > > >//////////////// > > >Mercury In California Rainwater Traced ... > >ScienceDaily News Release > >.. Steding emphasized that people should not worry about health effects >from the mercury in rainwater, because the concentrations are very low. > >http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/12/021220075156.htm > >- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > >***************************************** >Season's Greetings from NOAA's CHAMP! >***************************************** >~~~~~~~ >For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Alina M. Szmant UNCW Center for Marine Science On travel from UNCW ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: URGENT - Looking for a small coral reef animals specialist for Date: Wed, 1 Jan 2003 17:47:29 -0500 From: "Fabrice Poiraud-Lambert" To: "Coral List" a talk Sender: owner-coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Precedence: list Dear All, CIRCoP (International Coral Reef Conferences of Paris - 31st of Jan 1st of Feb 2003) is a General Public dedicated event, created to communicate about coral reefs (their status; what can be done and what is done to protect & restore them; reef life and behavior, economy related to coral reefs; Medicine and coral reefs; etc...). We expect 3000 visitors during 2 days, to follow 16 talks and about 20 movies about all aspects of Coral Reefs (check web site : www.circop.com for program, venue detail, etc...) To replace a missing lecturer, we are looking for one or two 45' talks about small reefs animals such as : shrimps, crabs, nudibranches, worms, etc... and about their way of life, interaction, symbiosis with other animals (such corals or other inverts), techniques of camouflage/protection, etc... If you would like to be candidate, please reply and suggest a tittle + 5 lines of description. Best Regards Fabrice Poiraud-Lambert CIRCoP, Director http://www.circop.com, to Enjoy Great Protected Coral Reefs ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Land Based Pollution Date: Fri, 3 Jan 2003 07:11:16 -0500 From: CSalt5@aol.com To: coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov CC: dmeyer@peer.org I received the email regarding Coral Reef Task Force Priorities indirectly, through Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. Sand dredged from offshore may not be considered land based, but it is one of the primary causes of coral reef degradation in south Florida. As a Fish and Wildlife Service biologist, I specialized in commenting on beach restoration projects for over 10 years; I know beach projects and beach project politics. This controvercial area is not for the faint hearted. I was eventually forced into early retirement for proposing that the FWS conduct surveys of the proposed Broward County beach project area (and offshore dredge area) rather than Broward County's environmental consultant. This was in accordance with past procedures and consistent with the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. The Broward County project will bury at least 36 acres of nearshore coral communities and degrade uncalculated acreage just outside the proposed fill area due to the settling of suspended sediment. Unnumbered ancient star and brain corals near the proposed dredge area will suffer the same fate. These impacts have been documented in numerous past projects. How is it that this, perhaps the number one cause of direct coral destruction, is not on the Coral Reef Task Force's list of priorities? As for land based pollution, there are perhaps hundreds of acres of coral community in Broward County that are either dead or nearly dead because insufficiently treated sewage is being pumped just offshore of Broward beaches. The one outfall I know of runs east from Hollywood, Fl. I would be happy to accompany you or any other Task Force member to see the damage first hand. Chuck Sultzman ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Re: CIRCoP lecturer needed Date: Fri, 3 Jan 2003 07:13:05 -0500 From: Michael Janes To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Dear Fabrice, Listed bellow are two possible talks I would be able to prepare and give at your conference if invited. Please let me know if this is what you are looking for. Coral Reef Partnerships: Symbiosis, Commensalisms, and Parasitism A variety of tropical reef organisms rely on each other in intimate ways for their survival. In many cases, both micro and macro life forms are sustained through tight relationships that have developed over many generations. This talk provides detailed examples of partnerships occurring among different phyla (algae, worms, other invertebrates, and fish) on the reef and defines both their similarities and differences. The Coral / Algae Connection...Light is life For most corals light affords them a means to prosper through their symbiotic relationship with single cell algae. Others lack this form of partnership yet still thrive. My talk outlines the fundamental basis of coral algae partnerships, examines how they function, and defines their role on the coral reef. Further, the differences between photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic corals are explored. Best wishes for a successful conference. Sincerely, Michael. Michael P. Janes Senior Aquarist AquaTouch, Inc. 12040 N. 32nd Street Phoenix, Arizona 85028 USA (602) 765-9058 phone (602) 765-9044 fax email: mjanes@aquatouch.com ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Landmark meeting Date: Fri, 3 Jan 2003 07:25:25 -0500 From: "N A J Graham" To: Time is running out to register for the 5th International Conference on Environmental Future. This landmark conference on the 'environmental future of aquatic ecosystems' (http://www.icef.eawag.ch) is to be held in Zurich, Switzerland, 23-27 March 2003 and cheap registration is available until January 15th only. Leading scientists from around the world are to predict the potential alternative state(s) of each of the 21 marine and freshwater ecosystems by the year 2025 with respect, in particular, to climate change, human population growth and fisheries decline (see abstracts on website). Many of the reviews have been published in the journal Environmental Conservation and the outputs of the conference will be published by Cambridge University Press in a 2-volume book which each registrant will receive for free. Registration fees for this significant venture are substantially reduced upto January 15th 2003 and student rates are also available (http://www.icef.eawag.ch). Best regards, Nick Graham Junior Research Associate Marine Science & Technology University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Tel: +44 (0)191 222 5868 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: RE: The Dust Hypothesis Date: Fri, 3 Jan 2003 07:31:26 -0500 From: lessiosh To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov, "'szmanta'" Alina and others Happy new year. "Diadema antillarum" on the African coast has the same name, but it is not the same species. Its mitochondrial DNA is as different from Caribbean D. antillarum as that of D. paucispinum and D. savignyi. See Lessios, Kessing and Pearse, 2001, Population structure and speciation in tropical seas: global phylogeography of the sea urchin Diadema. Evolution, 55:955-975. So, this may answer this particular objection, but there are additional difficulties with the dust hypothesis to explain the Diadema mass mortality: 1. Why did it start at such a specific point at the mouth of the Panama Canal? The data in "H.A. Lessios, D.R. Robertson, J.D. Cubit. 1984 Spread of Diadema mass mortality through the Caribbean. Science, 226:335-337" are good enough to conclude that it really did start at the mouth of the canal, rather than first being noticed there. Disease due to dust traveling all the way from Africa and falling in the Caribbean would be more likely to start at various places in a large area. That it only started in one location, and that this location is so close to where ships discharge ballast water is more consistent with its having come in ballast water from the Pacific. Presumably, the pathogen is benign for Pacific species of Diadema, but killed the Atlantic ones. That it infected no other sea urchin species, not even the E. Atlantic Diadema, suggests that it is very specific. 2. Why did the mortality front travel by currents over large distances of water? If it came from the atmosphere, there should be no correlation with water current direction in its spread. The last locations to be infected were Bermuda and the Virgin Islands, not particularly consistent with dust coming from Africa. 3. Why were Diadema in aquaria also infected? 4. Why have there been subsequent local outbreaks at very specific times? I suppose that it can all be explained if one assumes that dust, traveled high over most of the Atlantic and the Caribbean, fell in the SE Caribbean and only what landed in Panama happened to contain a pathogenic organism, which was then spread by the currents and cross-infection. We will never know for sure. The dust hypothesis, like any other, is speculation, with some things that fit and others that don't. Haris Lessios H. A. Lessios Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Balboa, Panama Telephone: +507/212-8708 Fax +507/212-8791 Telephone from the US (domestic call): 202/786-2099 x 8708 Mail address: From the USA: Unit 0948 APO AA 34002-0948 From elsewhere: Box 2072 Balboa, Panama > > >-----Original Message----- >From: owner-coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov >[mailto:owner-coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of szmanta >Sent: Wednesday, January 01, 2003 5:45 PM >To: Precht, Bill; coral-list >Subject: RE: The Dust Hypothesis > > >Dear All: > >I have read several times the hypothesis that the Diadema die-off in >the Caribbean was somehow caused by African dust. Can someone explain >to me the logic behind this when the same species of sea urchin is doing >well, and matter of fact, has been a pest because of too high of >population densities on reefs just off the West coast of Africa (much >closer to the dust and potential pathogen source)? > >Happy New Year to all. > >Alina Szmant > > >===== Original Message From "Precht, Bill" ===== > >Dear Coral List: > > > >For those following the "dust" for the past few years I thought you >might > >find these tidbits of interest. > > > >Have a great holiday! > >- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > > > >The Dust Hypothesis > > > >Question: > > > >Why have coral reefs that are bathed in clear oceanic waters throughout > >much of the Caribbean suffered algal infestation, coral diseases, and >near > >extinction of herbivorous sea urchins almost simultaneously during the > >1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s? The best known factors detrimental to >coral > >reefs include sewage, run-off from land, dredging, UV light, etc. These > >factors do not apply for many affected reefs where human population is >low. > >Is there an alternative way to spread nutrients and diseases? > > > >(Contineud) > > > >http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/ > > > > > > Online mini-movie > > > > Watch USGS scientists Ginger Garrison, Gene Shinn, Chuck Holmes, >and > > Dale Griffin in "The Effects of Globally Transported African and > > Asian Dust on Coral Reef and Human Health" > > > > http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/documentary/ > > > > > > National Public Radio interview > > > > Project scientists Gene Shinn and Ginger Garrison were >interviewed > > along with geologist/novelist Sarah Andrews on National Public >Radio > > station KQED in San Francisco on the popular morning talk show > > "Forum" on January 15, 2002. Listen to the interview. > > > > >www.kqed.org/audioarchive/frameset/forum/2002/01/2002-01-15b-forum.html > > > > > >//////////////// > > > > > >Mercury From China Rains Down on California > > > > Environmental News Service (ENS) > > http://ens-news.com/ > > > > December 20, 2002 > > > >SANTA CRUZ, California, - Industrial emissions in Asia are a major >source > >of mercury in rainwater that falls along the California coast, a new >study > >suggests. > > > >The mercury in rainwater is not in itself a health threat, but mercury > >pollution is a problem in San Francisco Bay and other California waters > >because the toxic element builds up in the food chain. State regulatory > >agencies are looking for ways to reduce the amount of mercury entering >the > >state's waters from various sources. > > > >It is not just the mercury itself but a whole cocktail of atmospheric > >pollutants that contribute to the deposition of mercury in rainfall. > >Elemental mercury behaves as a gas in the atmosphere and is not washed >out > >in rain until it has been oxidized into a charged ionic form that can >be > >captured by water droplets. > > > >Ozone, a major component of urban and industrial smog, plays a key role >in > >this oxidation process, said Douglas Steding, lead author of a paper > >published Thursday in the online edition of the "Journal of Geophysical > >Research - Atmospheres." The report by Steding and other researchers >from > >the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) will appear in a later > >print edition of the journal. > > > >"There is a relatively large reservoir of mercury in the atmosphere, >and > >it's the rate of oxidation that determines how much of it gets >deposited in > >rainfall," Steding said. > > > >Mercury is a trace contaminant of most coal, and emissions from coal > >burning power plants are a major source of mercury pollution in many >parts > >of the world. In the Pacific Basin, the main source of atmospheric >mercury > >is coal combustion in China. > > > >China relies on coal as a fuel and accounts for about 10 percent of the > >total global industrial emissions of mercury. > > > >Air pollution in China also generates ozone, which peaks during the >winter > >due to increased fuel consumption for heating. Air loaded with mercury >and > >ozone moves off the continent into the Western Pacific, where it is > >incorporated into developing storms. > > > >"The mercury we measured in rainwater results from a combination of >mercury > >emissions and ozone production, as well as meteorological factors - the > >storm tracks that transport the pollutants across the Pacific," Steding > >said. > > > >Steding collected rainwater samples at two sites in central California: >on > >the coast at UCSC's Long Marine Laboratory and at Moffett Field near >San > >Jose, on the inland side of the Santa Cruz Mountains. For each rainfall > >event, the researchers used air mass trajectories calculated by a >national > >climate lab to trace the movement of the storms across the Pacific from > >Asia. > > > >Rainwater collected at the coastal site showed the background > >concentrations of mercury in storms as they arrived off the Pacific >Ocean. > >Those measurements were about three times higher than estimates of the > >natural, preindustrial level, Steding said. > > > >Rainwater from the inland site showed mercury concentrations 44 percent > >higher than at the coastal site. Steding attributed the difference >between > >the two sites to ozone in Bay Area smog, rather than local emissions of > >mercury. > > > >"There is a local influence of urban smog on the mercury oxidation >rate. We > >see a background signal of mercury blowing off the Pacific, then a >local > >enrichment that's probably due to urban smog," Steding said. "If we >want to > >reduce mercury deposition, it's not enough to shut down local emissions >of > >mercury, because other pollutants influence how much of the mercury in >the > >atmosphere ends up in rainwater." > > > >Steding said people should not worry about health effects from the >mercury > >in rainwater, because the concentrations are very low. But the >deposition > >in rain does add mercury to surface waters, where the toxin enters the >food > >chain and builds up to high levels in certain kinds of fish. > > > >State health officials have issued advisories warning people not to eat > >fish from more than a dozen bodies of water in California, including >San > >Francisco Bay. > > > > # # # > > > >http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2002/2002-12-20-09.asp#anchor1 > > > > > >/////////////////// > > > > > >Steding, Douglas J.; Flegal, A. Russell > > > >Mercury concentrations in coastal California precipitation: > >Evidence of local and trans-Pacific fluxes of mercury to North America > > > >10.1029/2002JD002081 > > > >19 December 2002 > > > >http://www.agu.org/pubs/toc2002/jd.shtml#dec > > > > > >//////////////// > > > > > >Mercury In California Rainwater Traced ... > > > >ScienceDaily News Release > > > >.. Steding emphasized that people should not worry about health effects > >from the mercury in rainwater, because the concentrations are very low. > > > >http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/12/021220075156.htm > > > >- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > > > >***************************************** > >Season's Greetings from NOAA's CHAMP! > >***************************************** > >~~~~~~~ > >For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > >digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > >Alina M. Szmant >UNCW Center for Marine Science >On travel from UNCW > >~~~~~~~ >For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . ******************************************************************* Dr. Alina M. Szmant Coral Reef Research Group Professor of Biology Center for Marine Science University of North Carolina at Wilmington 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane Wilmington NC 28409-5928 tel: (910)962-2362 fax: (910)962-2410 email: szmanta@uncwil.edu http://www.uncwil.edu/people/szmanta/ ****************************************************************** --Boundary_(ID_LWPAmk1OzhYyaFAKJvhtSw) Content-type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" I think Haris meant to send this message out to all interested parties by hit the 'reply' instead of 'reply all' button.

Alina Szmant



Date: Thu, 02 Jan 2003 10:35:35 -0500
From: lessiosh <lessiosh@naos.si.edu>
Subject: RE: The Dust Hypothesis
To: 'szmanta' <szmanta@uncwil.edu>
Reply-to: lessiosh@naos.si.edu
X-VMS-To: IN%"szmanta@uncwil.edu"  "'szmanta'"
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook, Build 10.0.4024
Importance: Normal
Original-recipient: rfc822;szmanta@uncwil.edu

Alina and others

Happy new year.

"Diadema antillarum" on the African coast has the same name, but it is
not the same species.  Its mitochondrial DNA is as different from
Caribbean D. antillarum as that of D. paucispinum and D. savignyi.  See
Lessios, Kessing and Pearse, 2001, Population structure and speciation
in tropical seas: global phylogeography of the sea urchin Diadema.
Evolution, 55:955-975.

So, this may answer this particular objection, but there are additional
difficulties with the dust hypothesis to explain the Diadema mass
mortality:

1.  Why did it start at such a specific point at the mouth of the Panama
Canal? The data in "H.A. Lessios, D.R. Robertson, J.D. Cubit.  1984
Spread of Diadema mass mortality through the Caribbean. Science,
226:335-337" are good enough to conclude that it really did start at the
mouth of the canal, rather than first being noticed there.  Disease due
to dust traveling all the way from Africa and falling in the Caribbean
would be more likely to start at various places in a large area.  That
it only started in one location, and that this location is so close to
where ships discharge ballast water is more consistent with its having
come in ballast water from the Pacific.  Presumably, the pathogen is
benign for Pacific species of Diadema, but killed the Atlantic ones.
That it infected no other sea urchin species, not even the E. Atlantic
Diadema, suggests that it is very specific.

2.  Why did the mortality front travel by currents over large distances
of water?  If it came from the atmosphere, there should be no
correlation with water current direction in its spread.  The last
locations to be infected were Bermuda and the Virgin Islands, not
particularly consistent with dust coming from Africa.

3.  Why were Diadema in aquaria also infected?

4.  Why have there been subsequent local outbreaks at very specific
times?

I suppose that it can all be explained if one assumes that dust,
traveled high over most of the Atlantic and the Caribbean, fell in the
SE Caribbean and only what landed in Panama happened to contain a
pathogenic organism, which was then spread by the currents and
cross-infection.  We will never know for sure.  The dust hypothesis,
like any other, is speculation, with some things that fit and others
that don't.

Haris Lessios

H. A. Lessios
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Balboa, Panama

Telephone: +507/212-8708
Fax +507/212-8791
Telephone from the US (domestic call): 202/786-2099 x 8708

Mail address:
From the USA:
Unit 0948
APO AA 34002-0948

From elsewhere:
Box 2072
Balboa, Panama



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov
[mailto:owner-coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of szmanta
Sent: Wednesday, January 01, 2003 5:45 PM
To: Precht, Bill; coral-list
Subject: RE: The Dust Hypothesis


Dear All:

I have read several times the hypothesis that the Diadema die-off in
the  Caribbean was somehow caused by African dust.  Can someone explain
to me the logic behind this when the same species of sea urchin is doing
well, and matter of fact, has been a pest because of too high of
population densities on reefs just off the West coast of Africa (much
closer to the dust and potential  pathogen source)?

Happy New Year to all.

Alina Szmant

>===== Original Message From "Precht, Bill" <Bprecht@pbsj.com> =====
>Dear Coral List:
>
>For those following the "dust" for the past few years I thought you
might
>find these tidbits of interest.
>
>Have a great holiday!
>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>
>The Dust Hypothesis
>
>Question:
>
>Why have coral reefs that are bathed in clear oceanic waters throughout
>much of the Caribbean suffered algal infestation, coral diseases, and
near
>extinction of herbivorous sea urchins almost simultaneously during the
>1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s? The best known factors detrimental to
coral
>reefs include sewage, run-off from land, dredging, UV light, etc. These
>factors do not apply for many affected reefs where human population is
low.
>Is there an alternative way to spread nutrients and diseases?
>
>(Contineud)
>
>http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/
>
>
>   Online mini-movie
>
>      Watch USGS scientists Ginger Garrison, Gene Shinn, Chuck Holmes,
and
>      Dale Griffin in "The Effects of Globally Transported African and
>      Asian Dust on Coral Reef and Human Health"
>
>   http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/documentary/
>
>
>   National Public Radio interview
>
>      Project scientists Gene Shinn and Ginger Garrison were
interviewed
>      along with geologist/novelist Sarah Andrews on National Public
Radio
>      station KQED in San Francisco on the popular morning talk show
>      "Forum" on January 15, 2002. Listen to the interview.
>
>
www.kqed.org/audioarchive/frameset/forum/2002/01/2002-01-15b-forum.html
>
>
>////////////////
>
>
>Mercury From China Rains Down on California
>
>   Environmental News Service (ENS)
>   http://ens-news.com/
>
>   December 20, 2002
>
>SANTA CRUZ, California, - Industrial emissions in Asia are a major
source
>of mercury in rainwater that falls along the California coast, a new
study
>suggests.
>
>The mercury in rainwater is not in itself a health threat, but mercury
>pollution is a problem in San Francisco Bay and other California waters
>because the toxic element builds up in the food chain. State regulatory
>agencies are looking for ways to reduce the amount of mercury entering
the
>state's waters from various sources.
>
>It is not just the mercury itself but a whole cocktail of atmospheric
>pollutants that contribute to the deposition of mercury in rainfall.
>Elemental mercury behaves as a gas in the atmosphere and is not washed
out
>in rain until it has been oxidized into a charged ionic form that can
be
>captured by water droplets.
>
>Ozone, a major component of urban and industrial smog, plays a key role
in
>this oxidation process, said Douglas Steding, lead author of a paper
>published Thursday in the online edition of the "Journal of Geophysical
>Research - Atmospheres." The report by Steding and other researchers
from
>the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) will appear in a later
>print edition of the journal.
>
>"There is a relatively large reservoir of mercury in the atmosphere,
and
>it's the rate of oxidation that determines how much of it gets
deposited in
>rainfall," Steding said.
>
>Mercury is a trace contaminant of most coal, and emissions from coal
>burning power plants are a major source of mercury pollution in many
parts
>of the world. In the Pacific Basin, the main source of atmospheric
mercury
>is coal combustion in China.
>
>China relies on coal as a fuel and accounts for about 10 percent of the
>total global industrial emissions of mercury.
>
>Air pollution in China also generates ozone, which peaks during the
winter
>due to increased fuel consumption for heating. Air loaded with mercury
and
>ozone moves off the continent into the Western Pacific, where it is
>incorporated into developing storms.
>
>"The mercury we measured in rainwater results from a combination of
mercury
>emissions and ozone production, as well as meteorological factors - the
>storm tracks that transport the pollutants across the Pacific," Steding
>said.
>
>Steding collected rainwater samples at two sites in central California:
on
>the coast at UCSC's Long Marine Laboratory and at Moffett Field near
San
>Jose, on the inland side of the Santa Cruz Mountains. For each rainfall
>event, the researchers used air mass trajectories calculated by a
national
>climate lab to trace the movement of the storms across the Pacific from
>Asia.
>
>Rainwater collected at the coastal site showed the background
>concentrations of mercury in storms as they arrived off the Pacific
Ocean.
>Those measurements were about three times higher than estimates of the
>natural, preindustrial level, Steding said.
>
>Rainwater from the inland site showed mercury concentrations 44 percent
>higher than at the coastal site. Steding attributed the difference
between
>the two sites to ozone in Bay Area smog, rather than local emissions of
>mercury.
>
>"There is a local influence of urban smog on the mercury oxidation
rate. We
>see a background signal of mercury blowing off the Pacific, then a
local
>enrichment that's probably due to urban smog," Steding said. "If we
want to
>reduce mercury deposition, it's not enough to shut down local emissions
of
>mercury, because other pollutants influence how much of the mercury in
the
>atmosphere ends up in rainwater."
>
>Steding said people should not worry about health effects from the
mercury
>in rainwater, because the concentrations are very low. But the
deposition
>in rain does add mercury to surface waters, where the toxin enters the
food
>chain and builds up to high levels in certain kinds of fish.
>
>State health officials have issued advisories warning people not to eat
>fish from more than a dozen bodies of water in California, including
San
>Francisco Bay.
>
>  #  #  #
>
>http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2002/2002-12-20-09.asp#anchor1
>
>
>///////////////////
>
>
>Steding, Douglas J.; Flegal, A. Russell
>
>Mercury concentrations in coastal California precipitation:
>Evidence of local and trans-Pacific fluxes of mercury to North America
>
>10.1029/2002JD002081
>
>19 December 2002
>
>http://www.agu.org/pubs/toc2002/jd.shtml#dec
>
>
>////////////////
>
>
>Mercury In California Rainwater Traced ...
>
>ScienceDaily News Release
>
>.. Steding emphasized that people should not worry about health effects
>from the mercury in rainwater, because the concentrations are very low.
>
> http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/12/021220075156.htm
>
>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>
>*****************************************
>Season's Greetings from NOAA's CHAMP!
>*****************************************
>~~~~~~~
>For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the
>digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html .

Alina M. Szmant
UNCW Center for Marine Science
On travel from UNCW

~~~~~~~
For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the
digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html .

*******************************************************************
Dr. Alina M. Szmant
Coral Reef Research Group
Professor of Biology
Center for Marine Science
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
5600  Marvin K. Moss Lane
Wilmington  NC  28409-5928
tel:  (910)962-2362  fax:  (910)962-2410
email:  szmanta@uncwil.edu
http://www.uncwil.edu/people/szmanta/
****************************************************************** --Boundary_(ID_LWPAmk1OzhYyaFAKJvhtSw)-- ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Re: The Dust Hypothesis Date: Fri, 3 Jan 2003 07:31:27 -0500 From: "Alan E Strong" To: szmanta CC: "Precht Bill" , coral-list Hi Alina, ...could have something to do with aerosol particle size and selective settling as air trajectory carried dust westward...? Just a thought....happy new year every one! Cheers, Al szmanta wrote: >Dear All: > >I have read several times the hypothesis that the Diadema die-off in >the Caribbean was somehow caused by African dust. Can someone explain >to me the logic behind this when the same species of sea urchin is doing >well, and matter of fact, has been a pest because of too high of >population densities on reefs just off the West coast of Africa (much >closer to the dust and potential pathogen source)? > >Happy New Year to all. > >Alina Szmant > >>===== Original Message From "Precht, Bill" ===== >>Dear Coral List: >> >>For those following the "dust" for the past few years I thought you might >>find these tidbits of interest. >> >>Have a great holiday! >>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - >> >>The Dust Hypothesis >> >>Question: >> >>Why have coral reefs that are bathed in clear oceanic waters throughout >>much of the Caribbean suffered algal infestation, coral diseases, and near >>extinction of herbivorous sea urchins almost simultaneously during the >>1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s? The best known factors detrimental to coral >>reefs include sewage, run-off from land, dredging, UV light, etc. These >>factors do not apply for many affected reefs where human population is low. >>Is there an alternative way to spread nutrients and diseases? >> >>(Contineud) >> >>http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/ >> >> >> Online mini-movie >> >> Watch USGS scientists Ginger Garrison, Gene Shinn, Chuck Holmes, and >> Dale Griffin in "The Effects of Globally Transported African and >> Asian Dust on Coral Reef and Human Health" >> >> http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/documentary/ >> >> >> National Public Radio interview >> >> Project scientists Gene Shinn and Ginger Garrison were interviewed >> along with geologist/novelist Sarah Andrews on National Public Radio >> station KQED in San Francisco on the popular morning talk show >> "Forum" on January 15, 2002. Listen to the interview. >> >> www.kqed.org/audioarchive/frameset/forum/2002/01/2002-01-15b-forum.html >> >> >>//////////////// >> >> >>Mercury From China Rains Down on California >> >> Environmental News Service (ENS) >> http://ens-news.com/ >> >> December 20, 2002 >> >>SANTA CRUZ, California, - Industrial emissions in Asia are a major source >>of mercury in rainwater that falls along the California coast, a new study >>suggests. >> >>The mercury in rainwater is not in itself a health threat, but mercury >>pollution is a problem in San Francisco Bay and other California waters >>because the toxic element builds up in the food chain. State regulatory >>agencies are looking for ways to reduce the amount of mercury entering the >>state's waters from various sources. >> >>It is not just the mercury itself but a whole cocktail of atmospheric >>pollutants that contribute to the deposition of mercury in rainfall. >>Elemental mercury behaves as a gas in the atmosphere and is not washed out >>in rain until it has been oxidized into a charged ionic form that can be >>captured by water droplets. >> >>Ozone, a major component of urban and industrial smog, plays a key role in >>this oxidation process, said Douglas Steding, lead author of a paper >>published Thursday in the online edition of the "Journal of Geophysical >>Research - Atmospheres." The report by Steding and other researchers from >>the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) will appear in a later >>print edition of the journal. >> >>"There is a relatively large reservoir of mercury in the atmosphere, and >>it's the rate of oxidation that determines how much of it gets deposited in >>rainfall," Steding said. >> >>Mercury is a trace contaminant of most coal, and emissions from coal >>burning power plants are a major source of mercury pollution in many parts >>of the world. In the Pacific Basin, the main source of atmospheric mercury >>is coal combustion in China. >> >>China relies on coal as a fuel and accounts for about 10 percent of the >>total global industrial emissions of mercury. >> >>Air pollution in China also generates ozone, which peaks during the winter >>due to increased fuel consumption for heating. Air loaded with mercury and >>ozone moves off the continent into the Western Pacific, where it is >>incorporated into developing storms. >> >>"The mercury we measured in rainwater results from a combination of mercury >>emissions and ozone production, as well as meteorological factors - the >>storm tracks that transport the pollutants across the Pacific," Steding >>said. >> >>Steding collected rainwater samples at two sites in central California: on >>the coast at UCSC's Long Marine Laboratory and at Moffett Field near San >>Jose, on the inland side of the Santa Cruz Mountains. For each rainfall >>event, the researchers used air mass trajectories calculated by a national >>climate lab to trace the movement of the storms across the Pacific from >>Asia. >> >>Rainwater collected at the coastal site showed the background >>concentrations of mercury in storms as they arrived off the Pacific Ocean. >>Those measurements were about three times higher than estimates of the >>natural, preindustrial level, Steding said. >> >>Rainwater from the inland site showed mercury concentrations 44 percent >>higher than at the coastal site. Steding attributed the difference between >>the two sites to ozone in Bay Area smog, rather than local emissions of >>mercury. >> >>"There is a local influence of urban smog on the mercury oxidation rate. We >>see a background signal of mercury blowing off the Pacific, then a local >>enrichment that's probably due to urban smog," Steding said. "If we want to >>reduce mercury deposition, it's not enough to shut down local emissions of >>mercury, because other pollutants influence how much of the mercury in the >>atmosphere ends up in rainwater." >> >>Steding said people should not worry about health effects from the mercury >>in rainwater, because the concentrations are very low. But the deposition >>in rain does add mercury to surface waters, where the toxin enters the food >>chain and builds up to high levels in certain kinds of fish. >> >>State health officials have issued advisories warning people not to eat >>fish from more than a dozen bodies of water in California, including San >>Francisco Bay. >> >> # # # >> >>http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2002/2002-12-20-09.asp#anchor1 >> >> >>/////////////////// >> >> >>Steding, Douglas J.; Flegal, A. Russell >> >>Mercury concentrations in coastal California precipitation: >>Evidence of local and trans-Pacific fluxes of mercury to North America >> >>10.1029/2002JD002081 >> >>19 December 2002 >> >>http://www.agu.org/pubs/toc2002/jd.shtml#dec >> >> >>//////////////// >> >> >>Mercury In California Rainwater Traced ... >> >>ScienceDaily News Release >> >>.. Steding emphasized that people should not worry about health effects >> >>from the mercury in rainwater, because the concentrations are very low. > >>http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/12/021220075156.htm >> >>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - >> >>***************************************** >>Season's Greetings from NOAA's CHAMP! >>***************************************** >>~~~~~~~ >>For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >>digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . >> > >Alina M. Szmant >UNCW Center for Marine Science >On travel from UNCW > >~~~~~~~ >For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > -- **** <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* Alan E. Strong Team Leader, Marine Applications Science Team (MAST) Phys Scientist/Oceanographer NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/ORAD -- E/RA3 NOAA Science Center -- RM 711W 5200 Auth Road Camp Springs, MD 20746-4304 Alan.E.Strong@noaa.gov 301-763-8102 x170 FAX: 301-763-8572 http://orbit-net.nesdis.noaa.gov/orad --------------050205080207060108010100 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi Alina,

...could have something to do with aerosol particle size and selective settling as air trajectory carried dust westward...?

Just a thought....happy new year every one!

Cheers,
Al

szmanta wrote:

Dear All:

I have read several times the hypothesis
that the Diadema die-off in
the  Caribbean was somehow caused by
African dust.  Can someone explain
to me the logic behind this when
the same species of sea urchin is doing
well, and matter of fact, has
been a pest because of too high of
population densities on reefs just
off the West coast of Africa (much
closer to the dust and potential
pathogen source)?

Happy New Year to all.

Alina
Szmant

===== Original Message From "Precht, Bill" <Bprecht@pbsj.com>
=====
Dear Coral List:

For those following the "dust" for the
past few years I thought you might
find these tidbits of
interest.

Have a great holiday!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Dust
Hypothesis

Question:

Why have coral reefs that are bathed
in clear oceanic waters throughout
much of the Caribbean suffered
algal infestation, coral diseases, and near
extinction of herbivorous
sea urchins almost simultaneously during the
1970s, 1980s, and early
1990s? The best known factors detrimental to coral
reefs include
sewage, run-off from land, dredging, UV light, etc. These
factors do
not apply for many affected reefs where human population is low.
Is
there an alternative way to spread nutrients and
diseases?

(Contineud)


http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/



Online mini-movie

     Watch USGS scientists Ginger Garrison,
Gene Shinn, Chuck Holmes, and
     Dale Griffin in "The Effects of
Globally Transported African and
     Asian Dust on Coral Reef and
Human Health"

  
http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/documentary/



National Public Radio interview

     Project scientists Gene
Shinn and Ginger Garrison were interviewed
     along with
geologist/novelist Sarah Andrews on National Public Radio

station KQED in San Francisco on the popular morning talk show

"Forum" on January 15, 2002. Listen to the interview.

  www.kqed.o

rg/audioarchive/frameset/forum/2002/01/2002-01-15b-forum.html


////////////////


Mercury
>From China Rains Down on California

  Environmental News Service
(ENS)
  http://ens-news.com/

  December
20, 2002

SANTA CRUZ, California, - Industrial emissions in Asia
are a major source
of mercury in rainwater that falls along the
California coast, a new study
suggests.

The mercury in
rainwater is not in itself a health threat, but mercury
pollution is
a problem in San Francisco Bay and other California waters
because
the toxic element builds up in the food chain. State
regulatory
agencies are looking for ways to reduce the amount of
mercury entering the
state's waters from various sources.

It
is not just the mercury itself but a whole cocktail of
atmospheric
pollutants that contribute to the deposition of mercury
in rainfall.
Elemental m
ercury behaves as a gas in the atmosphere and is not washed out
in
rain until it has been oxidized into a charged ionic form that can
be
captured by water droplets.

Ozone, a major component of
urban and industrial smog, plays a key role in
this oxidation
process, said Douglas Steding, lead author of a paper
published
Thursday in the online edition of the "Journal of
Geophysical
Research - Atmospheres." The report by Steding and other
researchers from
the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) will
appear in a later
print edition of the journal.

"There is a
relatively large reservoir of mercury in the atmosphere, and
it's the
rate of oxidation that determines how much of it gets deposited
in
rainfall," Steding said.

Mercury is a trace contaminant of
most coal, and emissions from coal
burning power plants are a major
source of mercury pollution in many parts
of the world. In the
Pacific Basin, the main source of atmosph
eric mercury
is coal combustion in China.

China relies on coal
as a fuel and accounts for about 10 percent of the
total global
industrial emissions of mercury.

Air pollution in China also
generates ozone, which peaks during the winter
due to increased fuel
consumption for heating. Air loaded with mercury and
ozone moves off
the continent into the Western Pacific, where it is
incorporated into
developing storms.

"The mercury we measured in rainwater results
from a combination of mercury
emissions and ozone production, as well
as meteorological factors - the
storm tracks that transport the
pollutants across the Pacific," Steding
said.

Steding
collected rainwater samples at two sites in central California:
on
the coast at UCSC's Long Marine Laboratory and at Moffett Field
near San
Jose, on the inland side of the Santa Cruz Mountains. For
each rainfall
event, the researchers used air mass trajectories
calculated by a na
tional
climate lab to trace the movement of the storms across the
Pacific from
Asia.

Rainwater collected at the coastal site
showed the background
concentrations of mercury in storms as they
arrived off the Pacific Ocean.
Those measurements were about three
times higher than estimates of the
natural, preindustrial level,
Steding said.

Rainwater from the inland site showed mercury
concentrations 44 percent
higher than at the coastal site. Steding
attributed the difference between
the two sites to ozone in Bay Area
smog, rather than local emissions of
mercury.

"There is a
local influence of urban smog on the mercury oxidation rate. We
see a
background signal of mercury blowing off the Pacific, then a
local
enrichment that's probably due to urban smog," Steding said.
"If we want to
reduce mercury deposition, it's not enough to shut
down local emissions of
mercury, because other pollutants influence
how much of the mercury
in the
atmosphere ends up in rainwater."

Steding said people
should not worry about health effects from the mercury
in rainwater,
because the concentrations are very low. But the deposition
in rain
does add mercury to surface waters, where the toxin enters the
food
chain and builds up to high levels in certain kinds of
fish.

State health officials have issued advisories warning
people not to eat
fish from more than a dozen bodies of water in
California, including San
Francisco Bay.

 #  #  #


http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2002/2002-12-20-09.asp#anchor1



///////////////////


Steding,
Douglas J.; Flegal, A. Russell

Mercury concentrations in coastal
California precipitation:
Evidence of local and trans-Pacific fluxes
of mercury to North America

10.1029/2002JD002081

19
December 2002


http://www.agu.org/pubs/toc2002/jd.shtml#dec



////////////////


Mercury
In California Rainwater Traced ...

ScienceDaily News
Release

.. Steding emphasized that people should not worry about
health effects
>from the mercury in rainwater, because the
concentrations are very low.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/12/021220075156.htm

-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-

*****************************************
Season's Greetings
from NOAA's
CHAMP!
*****************************************
~~~~~~~
For
directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or
the
digests, please see 
http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html
.

Alina M. Szmant
UNCW Center for Marine
Science
On travel from UNCW

~~~~~~~
For directions on
subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the
digests, please
see 
http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html
.


--
**** <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< *******
<>< *******
  Alan E. Strong
   Team Leader, Marine Applications Science Team (MAST)
          Phys Scientist/Oceanographer
    NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/ORAD -- E/RA3
    NOAA Science Center -- RM 711W
    5200 Auth Road
    Camp Springs, MD 20746-4304
          Alan.E.Strong@noaa.gov
               301-763-8102 x170
                FAX: 301-763-8572
    
http://orbit-net.nesdis.noaa.gov/orad

--------------050205080207060108010100-- ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: African Dust: Experimental Approach? Date: Fri, 3 Jan 2003 10:02:49 -0500 From: Jim Hendee To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov I have tried to search the literature to see if any controlled experiments have been conducted to ascertain whether pathogens on African Dust have been implicated in the onset of sea urchin or coral disease. I searched Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts, Oceanic Abstracts, Biosis, FirstSearch and the last couple of years of the Coral Reefs journal, but could not find that any work that has been done with controlled experiments and African Dust (AD). I would be interested to know if any work has been done, because we would be interested in using any results in the development of a sensor for the Dust on our CREWS environmental monitoring stations. So, if no experimental work has been done, might I suggest the following be considered by those of you who might have the resources. My apologies if this seems obvious, but it does appear the theory needs to be further investigated. Experimental Grid Utilizing Closed Aquaria ------------------------------------------ 1) Control tank with one or more species of corals and or urchins (with appropriate permits, of course!). Use the species of urchin that we know gets infected (see Haris Lessios' last post). 2) Tank with same critters, gets AD collected from USGS dust collectors, at same theorized rate of introduction as through AD storms. 3) Second control tank with "sanitized" AD. Any change in animal health in this tank might thus be due to the chemical properties of the dust itself; or in some way stress the animal(s) to be more susceptible to secondary infection by a pathogen. 4) Third control tank innoculated with theorized pathogens (including human ones) alone (i.e., no AD). Obviously, this would have to be closely controlled to prevent infecting the researcher! Follow up with microbiological assay. Continuously monitor the room(s) where aquaria are kept to see if the AD "leaks" into the rooms. All temperatures, salinity, light, feeding, etc. controlled to be same across all tanks and to be the as close to nature as possible. Future or parallel experiment might be to raise sea temperature to near bleaching threshold, thus seeing any possible correlations there. That should help settle the question, I would think. Sounds like a good graduate student project to me. Cheers, Jim szmanta wrote: > Dear All: > > I have read several times the hypothesis that the Diadema die-off in > the Caribbean was somehow caused by African dust. Can someone explain > to me the logic behind this when the same species of sea urchin is doing > well, and matter of fact, has been a pest because of too high of > population densities on reefs just off the West coast of Africa (much > closer to the dust and potential pathogen source)? > > Happy New Year to all. > > Alina Szmant > > >===== Original Message From "Precht, Bill" ===== > >Dear Coral List: > > > >For those following the "dust" for the past few years I thought you might > >find these tidbits of interest. > > > >Have a great holiday! > >- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > > > >The Dust Hypothesis > > > >Question: > > > >Why have coral reefs that are bathed in clear oceanic waters throughout > >much of the Caribbean suffered algal infestation, coral diseases, and near > >extinction of herbivorous sea urchins almost simultaneously during the > >1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s? The best known factors detrimental to coral > >reefs include sewage, run-off from land, dredging, UV light, etc. These > >factors do not apply for many affected reefs where human population is low. > >Is there an alternative way to spread nutrients and diseases? > > > >(Contineud) > > > >http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/ > > > > > > Online mini-movie > > > > Watch USGS scientists Ginger Garrison, Gene Shinn, Chuck Holmes, and > > Dale Griffin in "The Effects of Globally Transported African and > > Asian Dust on Coral Reef and Human Health" > > > > http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/documentary/ > > > > > > National Public Radio interview > > > > Project scientists Gene Shinn and Ginger Garrison were interviewed > > along with geologist/novelist Sarah Andrews on National Public Radio > > station KQED in San Francisco on the popular morning talk show > > "Forum" on January 15, 2002. Listen to the interview. > > > > www.kqed.org/audioarchive/frameset/forum/2002/01/2002-01-15b-forum.html > > > > > >//////////////// > > > > > >Mercury From China Rains Down on California > > > > Environmental News Service (ENS) > > http://ens-news.com/ > > > > December 20, 2002 > > > >SANTA CRUZ, California, - Industrial emissions in Asia are a major source > >of mercury in rainwater that falls along the California coast, a new study > >suggests. > > > >The mercury in rainwater is not in itself a health threat, but mercury > >pollution is a problem in San Francisco Bay and other California waters > >because the toxic element builds up in the food chain. State regulatory > >agencies are looking for ways to reduce the amount of mercury entering the > >state's waters from various sources. > > > >It is not just the mercury itself but a whole cocktail of atmospheric > >pollutants that contribute to the deposition of mercury in rainfall. > >Elemental mercury behaves as a gas in the atmosphere and is not washed out > >in rain until it has been oxidized into a charged ionic form that can be > >captured by water droplets. > > > >Ozone, a major component of urban and industrial smog, plays a key role in > >this oxidation process, said Douglas Steding, lead author of a paper > >published Thursday in the online edition of the "Journal of Geophysical > >Research - Atmospheres." The report by Steding and other researchers from > >the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) will appear in a later > >print edition of the journal. > > > >"There is a relatively large reservoir of mercury in the atmosphere, and > >it's the rate of oxidation that determines how much of it gets deposited in > >rainfall," Steding said. > > > >Mercury is a trace contaminant of most coal, and emissions from coal > >burning power plants are a major source of mercury pollution in many parts > >of the world. In the Pacific Basin, the main source of atmospheric mercury > >is coal combustion in China. > > > >China relies on coal as a fuel and accounts for about 10 percent of the > >total global industrial emissions of mercury. > > > >Air pollution in China also generates ozone, which peaks during the winter > >due to increased fuel consumption for heating. Air loaded with mercury and > >ozone moves off the continent into the Western Pacific, where it is > >incorporated into developing storms. > > > >"The mercury we measured in rainwater results from a combination of mercury > >emissions and ozone production, as well as meteorological factors - the > >storm tracks that transport the pollutants across the Pacific," Steding > >said. > > > >Steding collected rainwater samples at two sites in central California: on > >the coast at UCSC's Long Marine Laboratory and at Moffett Field near San > >Jose, on the inland side of the Santa Cruz Mountains. For each rainfall > >event, the researchers used air mass trajectories calculated by a national > >climate lab to trace the movement of the storms across the Pacific from > >Asia. > > > >Rainwater collected at the coastal site showed the background > >concentrations of mercury in storms as they arrived off the Pacific Ocean. > >Those measurements were about three times higher than estimates of the > >natural, preindustrial level, Steding said. > > > >Rainwater from the inland site showed mercury concentrations 44 percent > >higher than at the coastal site. Steding attributed the difference between > >the two sites to ozone in Bay Area smog, rather than local emissions of > >mercury. > > > >"There is a local influence of urban smog on the mercury oxidation rate. We > >see a background signal of mercury blowing off the Pacific, then a local > >enrichment that's probably due to urban smog," Steding said. "If we want to > >reduce mercury deposition, it's not enough to shut down local emissions of > >mercury, because other pollutants influence how much of the mercury in the > >atmosphere ends up in rainwater." > > > >Steding said people should not worry about health effects from the mercury > >in rainwater, because the concentrations are very low. But the deposition > >in rain does add mercury to surface waters, where the toxin enters the food > >chain and builds up to high levels in certain kinds of fish. > > > >State health officials have issued advisories warning people not to eat > >fish from more than a dozen bodies of water in California, including San > >Francisco Bay. > > > > # # # > > > >http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2002/2002-12-20-09.asp#anchor1 > > > > > >/////////////////// > > > > > >Steding, Douglas J.; Flegal, A. Russell > > > >Mercury concentrations in coastal California precipitation: > >Evidence of local and trans-Pacific fluxes of mercury to North America > > > >10.1029/2002JD002081 > > > >19 December 2002 > > > >http://www.agu.org/pubs/toc2002/jd.shtml#dec > > > > > >//////////////// > > > > > >Mercury In California Rainwater Traced ... > > > >ScienceDaily News Release > > > >.. Steding emphasized that people should not worry about health effects > >from the mercury in rainwater, because the concentrations are very low. > > > >http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/12/021220075156.htm > > > >- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > > > >***************************************** > >Season's Greetings from NOAA's CHAMP! > >***************************************** > >~~~~~~~ > >For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > >digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > > Alina M. Szmant > UNCW Center for Marine Science > On travel from UNCW > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: African Dust Date: Fri, 3 Jan 2003 14:43:28 -0500 From: Jim Hendee To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov I have subsequently heard that Gene Shinn and Ginger Garrison have graduate students working on this aspect, so I expect they will publish and/or describe something before too long. Sorry for the extra bandwidth... Cheers, Jim Jim Hendee wrote: > I have tried to search the literature to see if any controlled > experiments have been conducted to ascertain whether pathogens on > African Dust have been implicated in the onset of sea urchin or coral > disease. I searched Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts, Oceanic > Abstracts, Biosis, FirstSearch and the last couple of years of the Coral > Reefs journal, but could not find that any work that has been done with > controlled experiments and African Dust (AD). I would be interested to > know if any work has been done, because we would be interested in using > any results in the development of a sensor for the Dust on our CREWS > environmental monitoring stations. > > So, if no experimental work has been done, might I suggest the following > be considered by those of you who might have the resources. My > apologies if this seems obvious, but it does appear the theory needs to > be further investigated. > > Experimental Grid Utilizing Closed Aquaria > ------------------------------------------ > > 1) Control tank with one or more species of corals and or urchins (with > appropriate permits, of course!). Use the species of urchin that we > know gets infected (see Haris Lessios' last post). > > 2) Tank with same critters, gets AD collected from USGS dust > collectors, at same theorized rate of introduction as through AD storms. > > 3) Second control tank with "sanitized" AD. Any change in animal > health in this tank might thus be due to the chemical properties of the > dust itself; or in some way stress the animal(s) to be more susceptible > to secondary infection by a pathogen. > > 4) Third control tank innoculated with theorized pathogens (including > human ones) alone (i.e., no AD). Obviously, this would have to be > closely controlled to prevent infecting the researcher! > > Follow up with microbiological assay. Continuously monitor the room(s) > where aquaria are kept to see if the AD "leaks" into the rooms. All > temperatures, salinity, light, feeding, etc. controlled to be same > across all tanks and to be the as close to nature as possible. Future > or parallel experiment might be to raise sea temperature to near > bleaching threshold, thus seeing any possible correlations there. > > That should help settle the question, I would think. Sounds like a good > graduate student project to me. > > Cheers, > Jim > > szmanta wrote: > > > Dear All: > > > > I have read several times the hypothesis that the Diadema die-off in > > the Caribbean was somehow caused by African dust. Can someone explain > > to me the logic behind this when the same species of sea urchin is doing > > well, and matter of fact, has been a pest because of too high of > > population densities on reefs just off the West coast of Africa (much > > closer to the dust and potential pathogen source)? > > > > Happy New Year to all. > > > > Alina Szmant > > > > >===== Original Message From "Precht, Bill" ===== > > >Dear Coral List: > > > > > >For those following the "dust" for the past few years I thought you might > > >find these tidbits of interest. > > > > > >Have a great holiday! > > >- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > > > > > >The Dust Hypothesis > > > > > >Question: > > > > > >Why have coral reefs that are bathed in clear oceanic waters throughout > > >much of the Caribbean suffered algal infestation, coral diseases, and near > > >extinction of herbivorous sea urchins almost simultaneously during the > > >1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s? The best known factors detrimental to coral > > >reefs include sewage, run-off from land, dredging, UV light, etc. These > > >factors do not apply for many affected reefs where human population is low. > > >Is there an alternative way to spread nutrients and diseases? > > > > > >(Contineud) > > > > > >http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/ > > > > > > > > > Online mini-movie > > > > > > Watch USGS scientists Ginger Garrison, Gene Shinn, Chuck Holmes, and > > > Dale Griffin in "The Effects of Globally Transported African and > > > Asian Dust on Coral Reef and Human Health" > > > > > > http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/documentary/ > > > > > > > > > National Public Radio interview > > > > > > Project scientists Gene Shinn and Ginger Garrison were interviewed > > > along with geologist/novelist Sarah Andrews on National Public Radio > > > station KQED in San Francisco on the popular morning talk show > > > "Forum" on January 15, 2002. Listen to the interview. > > > > > > www.kqed.org/audioarchive/frameset/forum/2002/01/2002-01-15b-forum.html > > > > > > > > >//////////////// > > > > > > > > >Mercury From China Rains Down on California > > > > > > Environmental News Service (ENS) > > > http://ens-news.com/ > > > > > > December 20, 2002 > > > > > >SANTA CRUZ, California, - Industrial emissions in Asia are a major source > > >of mercury in rainwater that falls along the California coast, a new study > > >suggests. > > > > > >The mercury in rainwater is not in itself a health threat, but mercury > > >pollution is a problem in San Francisco Bay and other California waters > > >because the toxic element builds up in the food chain. State regulatory > > >agencies are looking for ways to reduce the amount of mercury entering the > > >state's waters from various sources. > > > > > >It is not just the mercury itself but a whole cocktail of atmospheric > > >pollutants that contribute to the deposition of mercury in rainfall. > > >Elemental mercury behaves as a gas in the atmosphere and is not washed out > > >in rain until it has been oxidized into a charged ionic form that can be > > >captured by water droplets. > > > > > >Ozone, a major component of urban and industrial smog, plays a key role in > > >this oxidation process, said Douglas Steding, lead author of a paper > > >published Thursday in the online edition of the "Journal of Geophysical > > >Research - Atmospheres." The report by Steding and other researchers from > > >the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) will appear in a later > > >print edition of the journal. > > > > > >"There is a relatively large reservoir of mercury in the atmosphere, and > > >it's the rate of oxidation that determines how much of it gets deposited in > > >rainfall," Steding said. > > > > > >Mercury is a trace contaminant of most coal, and emissions from coal > > >burning power plants are a major source of mercury pollution in many parts > > >of the world. In the Pacific Basin, the main source of atmospheric mercury > > >is coal combustion in China. > > > > > >China relies on coal as a fuel and accounts for about 10 percent of the > > >total global industrial emissions of mercury. > > > > > >Air pollution in China also generates ozone, which peaks during the winter > > >due to increased fuel consumption for heating. Air loaded with mercury and > > >ozone moves off the continent into the Western Pacific, where it is > > >incorporated into developing storms. > > > > > >"The mercury we measured in rainwater results from a combination of mercury > > >emissions and ozone production, as well as meteorological factors - the > > >storm tracks that transport the pollutants across the Pacific," Steding > > >said. > > > > > >Steding collected rainwater samples at two sites in central California: on > > >the coast at UCSC's Long Marine Laboratory and at Moffett Field near San > > >Jose, on the inland side of the Santa Cruz Mountains. For each rainfall > > >event, the researchers used air mass trajectories calculated by a national > > >climate lab to trace the movement of the storms across the Pacific from > > >Asia. > > > > > >Rainwater collected at the coastal site showed the background > > >concentrations of mercury in storms as they arrived off the Pacific Ocean. > > >Those measurements were about three times higher than estimates of the > > >natural, preindustrial level, Steding said. > > > > > >Rainwater from the inland site showed mercury concentrations 44 percent > > >higher than at the coastal site. Steding attributed the difference between > > >the two sites to ozone in Bay Area smog, rather than local emissions of > > >mercury. > > > > > >"There is a local influence of urban smog on the mercury oxidation rate. We > > >see a background signal of mercury blowing off the Pacific, then a local > > >enrichment that's probably due to urban smog," Steding said. "If we want to > > >reduce mercury deposition, it's not enough to shut down local emissions of > > >mercury, because other pollutants influence how much of the mercury in the > > >atmosphere ends up in rainwater." > > > > > >Steding said people should not worry about health effects from the mercury > > >in rainwater, because the concentrations are very low. But the deposition > > >in rain does add mercury to surface waters, where the toxin enters the food > > >chain and builds up to high levels in certain kinds of fish. > > > > > >State health officials have issued advisories warning people not to eat > > >fish from more than a dozen bodies of water in California, including San > > >Francisco Bay. > > > > > > # # # > > > > > >http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2002/2002-12-20-09.asp#anchor1 > > > > > > > > >/////////////////// > > > > > > > > >Steding, Douglas J.; Flegal, A. Russell > > > > > >Mercury concentrations in coastal California precipitation: > > >Evidence of local and trans-Pacific fluxes of mercury to North America > > > > > >10.1029/2002JD002081 > > > > > >19 December 2002 > > > > > >http://www.agu.org/pubs/toc2002/jd.shtml#dec > > > > > > > > >//////////////// > > > > > > > > >Mercury In California Rainwater Traced ... > > > > > >ScienceDaily News Release > > > > > >.. Steding emphasized that people should not worry about health effects > > >from the mercury in rainwater, because the concentrations are very low. > > > > > >http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/12/021220075156.htm > > > > > >- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > > > > > >***************************************** > > >Season's Greetings from NOAA's CHAMP! > > >***************************************** > > >~~~~~~~ > > >For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > > >digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > > > > Alina M. Szmant > > UNCW Center for Marine Science > > On travel from UNCW > > > > ~~~~~~~ > > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: DUST BORNE VICE WATER BORNE PATHOGEN; BACTERIAL VS. VIRAL: CARIBBEAN DIADEMA Date: Fri, 3 Jan 2003 17:33:59 -0500 From: "Keven Reed" To: , "lessiosh" , "szmanta" Dear all, Since the spread of the 1983 Diadema antillarum die off started on the Caribbean end of the Panama canal and then moved across the Caribbean in a typical epizootic fashion, and the surveys of fish predators such as toadfishes stayed at preabundance levels (albeit with broader diets), intuition (not data) makes me want to pin the etiology on a viral pathogen that Pacific species of Diadema were immune to, then it was delivered in ship's ballast after passage from West to East through the canal. I believe I once heard Chuck Birkeland lament that we didn't have virologists on the field specimens twenty years ago to answer this medical veterinary mystery. Respectfully, Keven Keven Reed, O.D. Joint Readiness Clinical Advisory Board 1423 Sultan Street Fort Detrick, MD 21702 kevenreed@earthlink.net Work (301) 619-2186 Work FAX (301) 619-2355 ----- Original Message ----- From: "szmanta" To: "Precht, Bill" ; "coral-list" Sent: Wednesday, January 01, 2003 5:45 PM Subject: RE: The Dust Hypothesis > Dear All: > > I have read several times the hypothesis that the Diadema die-off in > the Caribbean was somehow caused by African dust. Can someone explain > to me the logic behind this when the same species of sea urchin is doing > well, and matter of fact, has been a pest because of too high of > population densities on reefs just off the West coast of Africa (much > closer to the dust and potential pathogen source)? > > Happy New Year to all. > > Alina Szmant > > >===== Original Message From "Precht, Bill" ===== > >Dear Coral List: > > > >For those following the "dust" for the past few years I thought you might > >find these tidbits of interest. > > > >Have a great holiday! > >- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > > > >The Dust Hypothesis > > > >Question: > > > >Why have coral reefs that are bathed in clear oceanic waters throughout > >much of the Caribbean suffered algal infestation, coral diseases, and near > >extinction of herbivorous sea urchins almost simultaneously during the > >1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s? The best known factors detrimental to coral > >reefs include sewage, run-off from land, dredging, UV light, etc. These > >factors do not apply for many affected reefs where human population is low. > >Is there an alternative way to spread nutrients and diseases? > > > >(Contineud) > > > >http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/ > > > > > > Online mini-movie > > > > Watch USGS scientists Ginger Garrison, Gene Shinn, Chuck Holmes, and > > Dale Griffin in "The Effects of Globally Transported African and > > Asian Dust on Coral Reef and Human Health" > > > > http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/documentary/ > > > > > > National Public Radio interview > > > > Project scientists Gene Shinn and Ginger Garrison were interviewed > > along with geologist/novelist Sarah Andrews on National Public Radio > > station KQED in San Francisco on the popular morning talk show > > "Forum" on January 15, 2002. Listen to the interview. > > > > www.kqed.org/audioarchive/frameset/forum/2002/01/2002-01-15b-forum.html > > > > > >//////////////// > > > > > >Mercury From China Rains Down on California > > > > Environmental News Service (ENS) > > http://ens-news.com/ > > > > December 20, 2002 > > > >SANTA CRUZ, California, - Industrial emissions in Asia are a major source > >of mercury in rainwater that falls along the California coast, a new study > >suggests. > > > >The mercury in rainwater is not in itself a health threat, but mercury > >pollution is a problem in San Francisco Bay and other California waters > >because the toxic element builds up in the food chain. State regulatory > >agencies are looking for ways to reduce the amount of mercury entering the > >state's waters from various sources. > > > >It is not just the mercury itself but a whole cocktail of atmospheric > >pollutants that contribute to the deposition of mercury in rainfall. > >Elemental mercury behaves as a gas in the atmosphere and is not washed out > >in rain until it has been oxidized into a charged ionic form that can be > >captured by water droplets. > > > >Ozone, a major component of urban and industrial smog, plays a key role in > >this oxidation process, said Douglas Steding, lead author of a paper > >published Thursday in the online edition of the "Journal of Geophysical > >Research - Atmospheres." The report by Steding and other researchers from > >the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) will appear in a later > >print edition of the journal. > > > >"There is a relatively large reservoir of mercury in the atmosphere, and > >it's the rate of oxidation that determines how much of it gets deposited in > >rainfall," Steding said. > > > >Mercury is a trace contaminant of most coal, and emissions from coal > >burning power plants are a major source of mercury pollution in many parts > >of the world. In the Pacific Basin, the main source of atmospheric mercury > >is coal combustion in China. > > > >China relies on coal as a fuel and accounts for about 10 percent of the > >total global industrial emissions of mercury. > > > >Air pollution in China also generates ozone, which peaks during the winter > >due to increased fuel consumption for heating. Air loaded with mercury and > >ozone moves off the continent into the Western Pacific, where it is > >incorporated into developing storms. > > > >"The mercury we measured in rainwater results from a combination of mercury > >emissions and ozone production, as well as meteorological factors - the > >storm tracks that transport the pollutants across the Pacific," Steding > >said. > > > >Steding collected rainwater samples at two sites in central California: on > >the coast at UCSC's Long Marine Laboratory and at Moffett Field near San > >Jose, on the inland side of the Santa Cruz Mountains. For each rainfall > >event, the researchers used air mass trajectories calculated by a national > >climate lab to trace the movement of the storms across the Pacific from > >Asia. > > > >Rainwater collected at the coastal site showed the background > >concentrations of mercury in storms as they arrived off the Pacific Ocean. > >Those measurements were about three times higher than estimates of the > >natural, preindustrial level, Steding said. > > > >Rainwater from the inland site showed mercury concentrations 44 percent > >higher than at the coastal site. Steding attributed the difference between > >the two sites to ozone in Bay Area smog, rather than local emissions of > >mercury. > > > >"There is a local influence of urban smog on the mercury oxidation rate. We > >see a background signal of mercury blowing off the Pacific, then a local > >enrichment that's probably due to urban smog," Steding said. "If we want to > >reduce mercury deposition, it's not enough to shut down local emissions of > >mercury, because other pollutants influence how much of the mercury in the > >atmosphere ends up in rainwater." > > > >Steding said people should not worry about health effects from the mercury > >in rainwater, because the concentrations are very low. But the deposition > >in rain does add mercury to surface waters, where the toxin enters the food > >chain and builds up to high levels in certain kinds of fish. > > > >State health officials have issued advisories warning people not to eat > >fish from more than a dozen bodies of water in California, including San > >Francisco Bay. > > > > # # # > > > >http://ens-news.com/ens/dec2002/2002-12-20-09.asp#anchor1 > > > > > >/////////////////// > > > > > >Steding, Douglas J.; Flegal, A. Russell > > > >Mercury concentrations in coastal California precipitation: > >Evidence of local and trans-Pacific fluxes of mercury to North America > > > >10.1029/2002JD002081 > > > >19 December 2002 > > > >http://www.agu.org/pubs/toc2002/jd.shtml#dec > > > > > >//////////////// > > > > > >Mercury In California Rainwater Traced ... > > > >ScienceDaily News Release > > > >.. Steding emphasized that people should not worry about health effects > >from the mercury in rainwater, because the concentrations are very low. > > > >http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/12/021220075156.htm > > > >- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > > > >***************************************** > >Season's Greetings from NOAA's CHAMP! > >***************************************** > >~~~~~~~ > >For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > >digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > > Alina M. Szmant > UNCW Center for Marine Science > On travel from UNCW > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Announcement: MARINE PROTECTED AREA FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (USA) Date: Mon, 06 Jan 2003 13:45:15 -0500 From: "Roger B Griffis" Organization: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration To: Coral list FYI Coral listers - Note there are several members named to this new U.S. Federal Advisory Committee on marine protected areas that are active in coral reef issues (e.g., Mark Hixon, Tundi Agardi, Ernesto Diaz, Lelei Peau (Chair of the All-Islands Coral Reef Initiative)). ________________________ NOAA 2003-001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Glenda Tyson 1/3/03 NOAA News Releases 2003 NOAA Home Page NOAA Public Affairs COMMERCE AND INTERIOR DEPARTMENTS SELECT CANDIDATES FOR NATIONAL MARINE PROTECTED AREA FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Today, the Department of Commerce, with assistance from the Department of the Interior, named final candidates for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Protected Area Federal Advisory Committee. Required as part of Presidential Executive Order 13158 dealing with Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), the 30-person committee represents a broad stakeholder community, including scientists, academia, commercial and recreational fishermen, resource users and managers, and environmentalists. The advisory committee’s duties include providing advice and recommendations to the Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior on implementation of aspects of the MPA Executive Order. The members may establish working groups, subcommittees, or task forces as needed to fulfill the committee’s goals. They also will create a scientific working group of experts in marine and ocean science fields, which will assess the conditions of natural and submerged cultural resources within the nation’s MPAs. The members will serve for two or three-year terms, and will elect a chairperson from the group. “Marine protected areas are important resource management tools,“ said Commerce Secretary Don Evans. “We look forward to strong leadership from these individuals in helping us determine how best to continue our efforts, balancing conservation needs with commercial and recreational interests as we move forward to protect the marine environment for present and future generations.” The committee will be supported by the National Marine Protected Areas Center, established by NOAA in cooperation with the Department of the Interior, as required by Executive Order. The MPA Center is charged with providing federal, state, territorial, tribal and local governments with the information, technologies, training and strategies to coordinate federal activities related to MPAs. Final candidates for the MPA Federal Advisory Committee are: Dr. Tundi Agardy, Sound Seas; Bethesda, Md. Mr. Robert Bendick, Jr., The Nature Conservancy; Altamonte Springs, Fla. Mr. David Benton, North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Anchorage, Alaska Dr. Daniel Bromley, University of Wisconsin; Madison, Wis. Dr. Anthony Chatwin, Conservation Law Foundation; Boston, Mass. Dr. Michael Cruickshank, Marine Minerals, Technology Center Associates; Honolulu, Hawaii Mr. Ernesto Diaz, Puerto Rico Coastal Zone Mgmt. Program; San Juan, Puerto Rico Ms. Carol Dinkins, Vinson & Elkins Attorneys At Law; Houston, Texas Dr. Rodney Fujita, Environmental Defense; Oakland, Calif. Dr. Dolores Garza, University of Alaska; Ketchikan, Alaska Mr. Eric Gilman, National Audubon Society; Honolulu, Hawaii Dr. Mark Hixon, Oregon State University; Corvallis, Ore. Mr. George Lapointe, Maine Department of Marine Resources; Augusta, Maine Dr. Bonnie McCay, Rutgers University; New Brunswick, N.J. Mr. Melvin E. Moon, Jr., Quileute Natural Resources Department; LaPush, Wash. Mr. Robert Moran, American Petroleum Institute, Washington, D.C. Dr. Steven Murray, California State University; Fullerton, Calif. Mr. Michael Nussman, American Sportfishing Association; Alexandria, Va. Dr. John Ogden, Florida Institute of Oceanography; St. Petersburg, Fla. Mr. Terry O’Halloran, hulaRez Inc.; Kalaheo, Hawaii Mr. Lelei Peau, Dept. of Commerce of American Samoa Pago Pago; American Samoa Dr. Walter Pereyra, Arctic Storm Management Group, Inc.; Seattle, Wash. Mr. Max Peterson, International Assoc. of Fish and Wildlife Agencies; Washington, D.C. Mr. Gilbert Radonski, Sport Fishing Institute; Cape Carteret, N.C. Mr. James Ray, Environmental Ecology and Response Shell Global Solutions (U.S.)Inc.; Houston, Texas Ms. Barbara Stevenson, Portland Fish Exchange; Portland, Maine Dr. Daniel Suman, University of Miami; Miami, Fla. Capt. Thomas E. Thompson, USCG (Ret.), International Council of Cruise Lines; Arlington, Va. Ms. H. Kay Williams, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Vancleave, Miss. Mr. Robert Zales, II, Bob Zales Charters; Panama City, Fla. Committee members were nominated by organizations and individuals. Potential members are offered membership into the committee and then must undergo a background check. These candidates were selected by a panel of experts from both agencies seeking to ensure that the committee’s membership represented the broad spectrum of interested parties throughout the nation. NOAA is dedicated to exploring, understanding, conserving and restoring the nation’s coasts and oceans. NOAA Ocean Service balances environmental protection with economic prosperity in fulfilling its mission of promoting safe navigation, supporting coastal communities, sustaining coastal habitats and mitigating coastal hazards. NOAA Fisheries ensures the sustainable use of marine fishery resources, protects marine mammal and sea turtle populations, and promotes the health of coastal and offshore marine habitats. Marine protected areas are one of several management tools NOAA Fisheries uses to prevent decline and promote recovery of marine fish, mammal and sea turtle species that fall under the agency's stewardship responsibilities. In partnership with the eight regional fishery management councils, NOAA Ocean Service, states, fishermen, and coastal communities, NOAA Fisheries combines protected areas with other marine resource management tools to ensure a healthy and bountiful ocean for all Americans. The Department of the Interior is the nation’s principal conservation agency. Interior serves as the steward for approximately 426 million acres of America’s public land, representing about 19 percent of the U.S. land surface and 66 percent of all federally owned land. Interior also manages mineral development on the 1.48 billion acre U.S. outer continental shelf. Interior’s National Park Service currently manages 385 parks and serves about 285 million visitors. Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service is the primary federal agency responsible for the protection, conservation, and renewal of fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats, and manages 538 refuges and 37 wetland management districts throughout the U.S. For more information online: Department of Commerce - http://www.commerce.gov NOAA - http://www.noaa.gov NOAA Ocean Service - http://www.nos.noaa.gov NOAA Fisheries - http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov National Marine Protected Areas Center - http://www.mpa.gov Department of the Interior - http://www.doi.gov National Park Service - http://www.nps.gov U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - http://www.fws.gov Minerals Management Service - http://www.mms.gov ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: the pollution word Date: Tue, 7 Jan 2003 09:54:49 -0500 From: Gene Shinn To: coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov Dear Jim, Thank you for having the fortitude to point it out the problem with the word "pollution." As you know one persons food (or funding) is another's poison. We should as you say, "identify what the anthropogenic factors are that influence reefs" In the rush to save reefs it appears we have skipped over the basic research needed to quantify these factors and/or ignored those results that do not support legal and sociopolitical leanings. Pollution means many thing$ to many people. Thanks for broaching the subject. Gene ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/ | E. A. Shinn email eshinn@usgs.gov USGS Center for Coastal Geology | 600 4th St. South | voice (727) 803-8747 x3030 St.Petersburg, FL 33701 | fax (727) 803-2032 ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Re: the pollution word Date: Tue, 7 Jan 2003 13:01:49 -0500 From: "Michael Risk" To: Gene Shinn , coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Hi Gene. I think this may be another semantic problem. Friend of mine, one of the finest environmental geochemists to walk the earth, had couple simple definitions. (Yeah, I know, we all hate definitions.) Contamination is when you can measure it. Pollution is when it hurts something. Happy Hogmanay. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: CREI Vacancy Oceanographer/Marine Biologist Date: Tue, 7 Jan 2003 19:46:13 -0500 From: "Rusty Brainard" Organization: NOAA To: Jim Hendee , David.Gulko@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Sender: owner-coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Precedence: list Aloha, Please see the following vacancy for Oceanographer or Marine Biologist: https://www.jobs.doc.gov/cool/doc/APP_VAC_VIEW?F_USERNAME=&F_ANN_NO=84181&F_AG_ID=11&SK= Thanks, Rusty ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: New Caledonia project Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 03:38:42 -0500 From: "sebastien sarramegna" To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Hello, I am working on an environmental monitoring program in Tropical reef ecosystem, and I am interesting in methods used to determine the stress level or the health of the corals. I am aware of the standard methods used in ecosystem environments (LIT, Quadrats etc…). I would like to have information on methods that could detect changing more precociously. For example, to detect stress on coral due to high turbidity it is possible to use the living coral tissue thickness. Thank you for all information Sébastien Sarramegna Biologiste/Service Environnement Falonbridge NC SAS 9, rue d'Austerlitz B.P. MGA08 98802 Noumé Cedex Nouvelle-Calédonie/New Caledonia Tel : (687) 24 60 40 Fax : (687) 24 60 49 Email : ssarramegna@falconbridge.nc ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Director Vacancy Announcement Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 10:48:26 -0500 From: John Wickham To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Dear Colleague, The following announcement opened January 6, 2003. The position will serve as the Center Director of the NOAA Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research/Coastal Ocean Program (CSCOR/COP). Interdisciplinary Supervisory Ecologist, GS-408-15 OR Oceanographer, GS-1360-15, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/National Ocean Service (NOS)/National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)/Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research, Coastal Ocean Program NOAA’s Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research (CSCOR) / Coastal Ocean Program (COP) seeks a Interdisciplinary Supervisory Ecologist, GS-408-15 OR Oceanographer, GS-1360-15. The employee of this position will serve as the Center Director with oversight responsibility for all the research, programmatic, administrative and operational responsibility supporting the Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research (CSCOR). He/she oversees the overall planning, direction and timely execution of the programs of CSCOR. The Center Director's oversight includes development, assignment and higher level clearance of goals and objectives for CSCOR; approving multi-year and longer range work plans developed by the staff and management of the overall work to enhance achievement of the goals and objectives; overseeing the revision of long range plans, goals and objectives for the work directed; managing the development of policy changes in response to changes in levels of appropriations or other legislated changes; managing organizational changes and major change to the structure and content of the program; and exercising discretionary authority to approve the allocation and distribution of CSCOR budgeted funds. He/she will promote the mission of CSCOR and foster collaborations and utilize CSCOR's unique capabilities to establish national and international research. Strong management and technical skills are required to lead programs aimed at ensuring sponsored research is of impeccable quality, addresses national needs, and identifies coastal environmental problems of the future. These capabilities are intended to help provide NOAA with a sound scientific basis to achieve its strategic goals of sustaining healthy coastal areas and to augment related coastal assessment and forecasting activities within NCCOS and other parts of NOAA. The salary range for this position is $92,060-$119,682. To apply, please visit: https://www.jobs.doc.gov/cool/doc/APP_VAC_VIEW?F_USERNAME=&F_ANN_NO=85408&F_AG_ID=11&SK= and submit your application via NOAA’s Commerce Opportunities On-Line (COOL) system. Please respond to vacancy number HNOS03.037JMM. The closing date is midnight, EST, February 28, 2003. Only United States citizens may apply. NOAA is an equal opportunity employer. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: uw-paper Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 13:28:59 -0500 From: "Saba National Marine Park" To: Does anyone know a supplier of underwater paper, preferably in Florida? David Kooistra Manager Saba Marine Park/Saba Hyperbaric Facility PO Box 18, The Bottom Saba, Netherlands Antilles Phone: 599 416 3295 Fax: 599 416 3435 Cellular: (5990) 522 5168 Web-site: www.sabapark.org E-mail: smp@unspoiledqueen.com Subject: Re: Diagnostic Monitoring/New Caledonia project Date: Thu, 9 Jan 03 10:00:29 -0500 From: Stephen C Jameson To: "sebastien sarramegna" , "Coral-List" CC: "Ken Potts" Dear Sebastien, Regarding: >Hello, > > I am working on an environmental monitoring program in Tropical >reef ecosystem, and I am interesting in methods used to determine the >stress level or the health of the corals. I am aware of the standard >methods used in ecosystem environments (LIT, Quadrats etcÖ). I would >like to have information on methods that could detect changing more >precociously. For example, to detect stress on coral due to high >turbidity it is possible to use the living coral tissue thickness. > > Thank you for all information > >SÈbastien Sarramegna >Biologiste/Service Environnement >Falonbridge NC SAS >9, rue d'Austerlitz >B.P. MGA08 98802 >NoumÈ Cedex >Nouvelle-CalÈdonie/New Caledonia >Tel : (687) 24 60 40 >Fax : (687) 24 60 49 >Email : ssarramegna@falconbridge.nc Ken Potts (USEPA) and I have proposed to Chair (waiting for approval) a Mini-Symposium on: "Diagnostic Monitoring & Assessment of Coral Reefs: Studies from Around the World" at the 10th ISRS Symposium in Okinawa. Aim and scope of the mini-symposium: The aim of this mini-symposium is to report progress on developing a new paradigm for coral reef monitoring and assessment - that is, one with an early warning and diagnostic capability. The scope of the mini-symposium will focus on the development of coral reef indexes of biotic integrity and biocriteria, dose-response metrics, studies on bioindicators, and other diagnostic monitoring tools. The mini-symposium will also focus on classifying coral reefs for diagnostic monitoring and assessment and establishing reference conditions. All papers presented in this mini-symposium will be placed on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency coral reef web site (www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/coral) to build the Diagnostic Monitoring and Assessment Data Base and provide information to others working in this field. Also at see: Jameson SC, Erdmann MV, Gibson Jr GR, Potts KW (1998) Development of biological criteria for coral reef ecosystem assessment. Atoll Res Bull, September 1998, No. 450, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, 102 pp and Jameson SC, Erdmann MV, Karr JR, Potts KW (2001) Charting a course toward diagnostic monitoring: A continuing review of coral reef attributes and a research strategy for creating coral reef indexes of biotic integrity. Bull Mar Sci 69(2):701-744 Best regards, Dr. Stephen C. Jameson, President Coral Seas Inc. - Integrated Coastal Zone Management 4254 Hungry Run Road, The Plains, VA 20198-1715 USA Office: 703-754-8690, Fax: 703-754-9139 Email: sjameson@coralseas.com Web Site: www.coralseas.com ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: RE: ARMS: Artificial Reef Matrix Systems Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2003 12:39:08 -0500 From: "John McManus" To: , "Coral List" Dear Alifereti, I found this on website: http://www.nhm.org/marcom/news/voyages/research.htm. "ARMS-Artificial Reef Matrix Structure - Because it is so difficult to capture small creatures that live within the coral heads themselves without actually destroying parts of the reef, the research team invented structures that would mimic the various habitats provided by coral." Cheers! John _________________________________________________________ John W. McManus, PhD Director, National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research (NCORE) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (RSMAS) University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, Florida 33149. jmcmanus@rsmas.miami.edu Tel. (305) 361-4814 Fax (305) 361-4910 www.ncoremiami.org -----Original Message----- From: owner-coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov [mailto:owner-coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov]On Behalf Of tawake_a@usp.ac.fj Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2003 11:59 PM To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Cc: rqauqau@fisheries.gov.fj; sqalovaki@govnet.gov.fj; samasoni Sauni; etika Rupeni Subject: ARMS: Artificial Reef Matrix Systems Dear Coral Listers, A team is coming to do a survey here in Fiji and they are proposing this ARMS: Artificial Reef Matrix Systems technique. I and most of my colleages here in Fiji have not used it let alone hear it. We are only farmiliar with other standard reef monitoring methods. Can anyone please direct us to where we can find more infor on this technique or how different it is from Belt or LIT methods commonly used? Look forward to your response. _____________________________ Alifereti Tawake, Scientific Officer, Institute of Applied Science (IAS), University of the South Pacific (USP), Private Mail Bag, Suva Fiji. Ph: (679) 3212653(W), (679) 3391339 (H) Fax: (679) 3300373 Email: Tawake_a@usp.ac.fj **************************************************************************** ********* Fiji Locally-Managed Marine Area (FLMMA) Network Project Liaison Officer (PLO) **************************************************************************** ********* LMMA Network: a FOS Learning Portfolio Coordination Team (PCT) Member ********************************************************************* ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: RFP for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Date: Thu, 09 Jan 2003 17:14:55 -0500 From: "Brian Keller" Organization: NOAA FKNMS To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Please note the following request for preproposals for research in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Posted at: http://www.fknms.nos.noaa.gov/research_monitoring/rfp2003fin.pdf Please also note that the contact person is Dr. Bill Kruczynski (kruczynski.bill@epamail.epa.gov; 850-934-9298). OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECIAL STUDIES REQUEST FOR PREPROPOSALS U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY- REGION 4 WATER QUALITY PROTECTION PROGRAM FOR THE FLORIDA KEYS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY NOAA’S UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM AND THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT WILMINGTON’S NATIONAL UNDERSEA RESEARCH CENTER NOAA CORAL REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM SANCTUARY FRIENDS OF THE FLORIDA KEYS Summary: The purpose of this notice is to advise the public that The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4, the National Undersea Research Center NOAA’s Undersea Research Program (NURP) and the University of North Carolina’s National Undersea Center, the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (NCRCP), and Sanctuary Friends of the Florida Keys announces opportunities for special studies in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Funding is contingent upon the availability of federal appropriations. It is anticipated that projects funded under this announcement will have an October 1, 2003 start date. Preproposals are requested for the following priority topics: 1. Factors affecting recruitment and survival of marine species 2. Triggering mechanisms and causative agents and/or processes that result in declines of coral abundance, coverage and species richness 3. Factors affecting the distribution, abundance, and virulence of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, or other pathogenic organisms 4. Affects of management measures on abundance and distribution of marine organisms BACKGROUND The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) was created by Public Law 101-605, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act of 1990. Included in the Sanctuary are 2900 square nautical miles of nearshore waters extending from Biscayne Bay to the Dry Tortugas. The 1990 Act directed EPA and the State of Florida, in consultation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to develop a Water Quality Protection Program (WQPP) for the Sanctuary. This is the first designated marine sanctuary required to have a WQPP. The purpose of the WQPP is to recommend priority corrective actions and compliance schedules addressing point and nonpoint sources of pollution to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Sanctuary. This includes restoration and maintenance of a balanced, indigenous population of corals, shellfish, fish and wildlife, and recreational activities in and on the water. In addition, the Act requires the development of a comprehensive water quality monitoring program. This announcement concerns the Research/Special Studies Component of the WQPP that has been incorporated into the FKNMS Draft Science Plan. Since 1991, EPA and the State of Florida have worked with NOAA and other federal, state, and local governmental agencies, university scientists, environmental groups, and the public to develop a WQPP for the Sanctuary. The National Marine Sanctuaries Program Amendments Act of 1992 requires that EPA and the State implement the WQPP in cooperation with NOAA. A "Final Water Quality Protection Program Document" was approved by the WQPP Steering Committee and contains the rationale and strategies to achieve the goals of the WQPP. The Draft FKNMS Science Plan identifies priority research areas that include the four topic areas for this request for preproposals. These topic areas have been reviewed by the FKNMS Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The Draft Science Plan includes short- and long-term data collection, to understand causal linkages between pollution sources and ecological problems. This understanding will be used to develop predictive models, evaluate management alternatives, devise corrective actions, and improve the monitoring program. The overall objective of the Special Studies Program is to identify and understand cause and effect relationships among pollutants, transport pathways, and the biological communities of the Sanctuary. Specific objectives are to: 1) identify and document cause and effect linkages between specific pollutants, water quality problems, and ecological impacts; 2) improve understanding of Sanctuary ecosystems, and develop predictive capabilities based on that understanding; and, 3) develop monitoring and research tools to detect pollutants, provide early warning of widespread ecological problems, and identify cause and effect relationships. PRIORITY TOPICS FOR SPECIAL STUDIES Recruitment and Survival of Marine Species Monitoring activities have documented the declines of corals and other important marine species in the Florida Keys. Research is needed to assess the recruitment and survival of stony coral populations (particularly reef-building species) throughout the Keys, the potential effects of ecological parameters on the recovery of benthic communities, and evaluation of factors responsible for the declines. Two examples of non-coral species are given below, but research proposals need not be limited to these two example species. The long-spined sea urchin (Diadema antillarum) virtually disappeared from waters surrounding the Florida Keys and much of the Caribbean basin in 1983-84, and has only recently re-appeared in a few areas. The cause of the decline was never definitively established. Research is needed to assess natural recruitment rates and factors affecting survivorship. The effectiveness of efforts (laboratory culturing and/or transplantation/translocation experiments) to reintroduce urchins and their subsequent effect on community structure need to be evaluated. The queen conch has been protected from collection in waters of the Florida Keys since 1986 because of severely diminished numbers. Even with protection, numbers of queen conch remain very low. Recent research suggests that some environmental factor(s) may prevent successful gonad development in conchs found in nearshore waters while those found offshore have mature gonads. Research is needed to determine factors controlling the population size of queen conch and methods to maximize the successful re-establishment of this important species. Decline in Coral Abundance, Coverage, and Species Diversity Monitoring at fixed stations throughout the Keys since 1996 has documented a 37% decline in living coral coverage within spur and groove habitats. Multiple stressors have been proposed for the loss of living coral, including nutrient addition to waters, coral diseases and bleaching, global climate change, and other human impacts. The etiologies of coral diseases in general, and the newly discovered diseases in particular, and the effects of disease on coral populations in terms of prevalence, incidence, and mortality rates are largely unknown. Also, the role of environmental factors, such as degraded water quality, in the onset and development of the diseases is not understood. Research is required to identify local, regional, and global causative factors and processes that cause coral decline in the Florida Keys. Research is needed to understand the short and long-term impacts of diseases, such as the impact of partial mortality on reproduction and other functions. Long-term studies of individual coral colonies are needed to assess the effects of coral bleaching, disease, mortality from various other sources, and potential for recovery. Distribution and Abundance of Pathogenic Bacteria, Viruses, and other Pathogens Previous research in the Florida Keys identified pathogenic viruses in 69% of nearshore sampling stations. Viruses were found to be infectious at some stations during winter months. Other research has documented the concentration of human bacteria and viruses in coral mucus and the identification of a potential coral disease organism as a widespread bacterium that may be found in the human intestine and other vertebrates. Research is required to assess the distribution and abundance of pathogens in waters of the Florida Keys, their sources and impacts to human health, and their role in the continued survival of the coral reef community. Effects of Management Actions on Abundance and Distribution of Marine Organisms Preliminary research on the effects of established fully protected (“no-take”) zones in the Florida Keys has demonstrated positive increases in population size and average size of several commercially and recreationally important fish species. Also, numbers and sizes of spiny lobsters have increased in areas closed to fishing and other extractive activities. Research is required to understand and assess the impacts of existing fully protected zones, including the recently implemented Tortugas Ecological Reserve, on community interactions, including commercially important fish and invertebrate species, as well as non-commercially important organisms, such as algae, corals and sponges. Also, research is required to understand siting and sizing requirements of protected areas to maximize their environmental benefits. REQUEST FOR PREPROPOSALS Investigators interested in submitting a preproposal in response to this announcement should immediately fill out the Notice-of-Interest form (Attachment A) attached to this announcement and send it to the address or FAX number given on the form. EPA has secured approximately $300,000 and Sanctuary Friends of the Florida Keys has secured $100,000 to fund the special studies discussed above. In addition, it is anticipated that NURP/NCRCP will contribute $150,000 in NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program funds, for total amount of approximately $550,000 for this announcement. Accepted proposals will be eligible to receive funds via a grant, cooperative agreement, or interagency agreement (federal agencies). Proposals may be written for one or two years. Individual grants/cooperative agreements/interagency agreements should not exceed a total of $100,000 per proposal. A minimum of 5% non-federal match is required for research projects funded by EPA and Sanctuary Friends; a minimum of 50% non-federal match is required for research projects funded by NURP/NCRCP. Non-federal matching funds may be comprised of a variety of public and private sources and may include in-kind contributions and other non-cash support. For further guidance on the matching requirement, please refer to Section 6403(b)(1) of the Coral Conservation Act of 2000. Projects with fieldwork in the upper Keys may be eligible to receive logistical support through NURC/UNCW in Key Largo. Eligibility criteria for the NURP/NCRCP funds: Eligible applicants are U.S. institutions of higher education, not-for-profit institutions, and state, local, and Indian tribal governments. Proposals may include federal researchers as collaborators with a researcher who is affiliated with a U.S. academic institution, non-federal agency, or any other non-profit organization. Federal organizations may not charge federal salary or overhead, but other categories are appropriate. Non-NOAA or EPA federal applicants must demonstrate legal authority to receive funds from another federal agency in excess of their appropriation. Proposals selected for funding from non-federal applicants will be funded through a cost-reimbursable or cooperative agreement. For proposals with a federal partner, the federal partner will receive funds through an inter-agency transfer (or intra-agency in the Case of a NOAA or EPA partner) from the national NURP office. Submission of a preproposal is required. Five copies of a preproposal must be submitted no later than February 3, 2003. Preproposals should consist of a Preproposal Title Page (Attachment B) and no greater than three pages of text (12 point/10 pitch type). Preproposals will be evaluated and ranked by the Management Committee of the WQPP and NURP/NCRCP staff. Evaluation of preproposals will be based upon conformance with this request and the goals and objectives of the FKNMS Draft Science Plan. A Draft Science Plan will be e-mailed upon request. Investigators will be notified by February 10, 2003 whether a full proposal should be submitted for review. At that time, detailed instructions for the preparation and submission of the full proposal will be sent to authors submitting successful preproposals. The deadline for receipt of a full proposal is March 10, 2003. Full proposals must be no greater than fifteen pages of text. Full proposals will be peer reviewed by an external review panel and ranked according to scientific merit and feasibility. Highly ranked proposals will be presented to the FKNMS TAC for review. The TAC will rank proposals with high scientific merit based upon relevance to the goals and objectives of the Draft Science Plan. The Management Committee will give great weight to the recommendations of the TAC in making their final selection of proposals for funding. The Management Committee will present their top candidates for funding to the Special Studies Subcommittee of the Steering Committee for final approval. Grants will be awarded no later than September 30, 2003. If you have any questions concerning the Water Quality Protection Program or this request for preproposals, please call Bill Kruczynski at 850-934-9298 or e-mail “kruczynski.bill@epa.gov”. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECIAL STUDIES ATTACHMENT A NOTICE OF INTEREST U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WATER QUALITY PROTECTION PROGRAM FOR THE FLORIDA KEYS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT WILMINGTON’S NATIONAL UNDERSEA RESEARCH CENTER SANCTUARY FRIENDS OF THE FLORIDA KEYS Investigators interested in submitting a preproposal for special studies in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary should complete this form and send it by mail or FAX to: Dr. Bill Kruczynski, Program Scientist U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Gulf Ecology Laboratory 1 Sabine Island Gulf Breeze, FL 32561 FAX 850 934-9201 E-mail: kruczynski.bill@epa.gov Please Note: Preproposals (5 copies) must be received no later than February 3, 2003. Name:______________________________________ Title:____________________________ Affiliation:___________________________________________________________________ Department:__________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address:_____________________________ City:____________________________ State:_______________________________________ Zip:_____________________________ Telephone Number:___________________________ FAX:____________________________ Email:_______________________________________________________________________ Your topic(s) of interest: Recruitment and Survival Coral Decline Pathogens Management Effects ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECIAL STUDIES ATTACHMENT B PREPROPOSAL TITLE PAGE TO BE SUBMITTED WITH FIVE COPIES OF THREE PAGE MAXIMUM PREPROPOSAL NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 3, 2003 PROJECT TITLE______________________________________________________________________-- ____________________________________________________________________________ PROJECT LEADER OTHER INVESTIGATORS _______________________________ _____________________________ Name _______________________________ _____________________________ Affiliation _______________________________ _____________________________ Address _______________________________ _____________________________ _______________________________ _____________________________ _______________________________ _____________________________ Telephone _______________________________ _____________________________ E-mail Co-Funding from an agency other than EPA is_____ is not_____ required to support the proposed special study. If co-funding is available, please indicate the amount of the expected non-federal match and percentage of match in relation to expected total request:__________. SUBMITTED BY__________________________ DATE_______________________ Signature_________________________________ -- Brian D. Keller Science Coordinator Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary P.O. Box 500368 Marathon, FL 33050 305-743-2437 x25 fax 2357 brian.keller@noaa.gov http://www.fknms.nos.noaa.gov/ ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: RFP for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Date: Thu, 09 Jan 2003 17:14:55 -0500 From: "Brian Keller" Organization: NOAA FKNMS To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Please note the following request for preproposals for research in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Posted at: http://www.fknms.nos.noaa.gov/research_monitoring/rfp2003fin.pdf Please also note that the contact person is Dr. Bill Kruczynski (kruczynski.bill@epamail.epa.gov; 850-934-9298). OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECIAL STUDIES REQUEST FOR PREPROPOSALS U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY- REGION 4 WATER QUALITY PROTECTION PROGRAM FOR THE FLORIDA KEYS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY NOAA’S UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM AND THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT WILMINGTON’S NATIONAL UNDERSEA RESEARCH CENTER NOAA CORAL REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM SANCTUARY FRIENDS OF THE FLORIDA KEYS Summary: The purpose of this notice is to advise the public that The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4, the National Undersea Research Center NOAA’s Undersea Research Program (NURP) and the University of North Carolina’s National Undersea Center, the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (NCRCP), and Sanctuary Friends of the Florida Keys announces opportunities for special studies in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Funding is contingent upon the availability of federal appropriations. It is anticipated that projects funded under this announcement will have an October 1, 2003 start date. Preproposals are requested for the following priority topics: 1. Factors affecting recruitment and survival of marine species 2. Triggering mechanisms and causative agents and/or processes that result in declines of coral abundance, coverage and species richness 3. Factors affecting the distribution, abundance, and virulence of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, or other pathogenic organisms 4. Affects of management measures on abundance and distribution of marine organisms BACKGROUND The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) was created by Public Law 101-605, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act of 1990. Included in the Sanctuary are 2900 square nautical miles of nearshore waters extending from Biscayne Bay to the Dry Tortugas. The 1990 Act directed EPA and the State of Florida, in consultation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to develop a Water Quality Protection Program (WQPP) for the Sanctuary. This is the first designated marine sanctuary required to have a WQPP. The purpose of the WQPP is to recommend priority corrective actions and compliance schedules addressing point and nonpoint sources of pollution to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Sanctuary. This includes restoration and maintenance of a balanced, indigenous population of corals, shellfish, fish and wildlife, and recreational activities in and on the water. In addition, the Act requires the development of a comprehensive water quality monitoring program. This announcement concerns the Research/Special Studies Component of the WQPP that has been incorporated into the FKNMS Draft Science Plan. Since 1991, EPA and the State of Florida have worked with NOAA and other federal, state, and local governmental agencies, university scientists, environmental groups, and the public to develop a WQPP for the Sanctuary. The National Marine Sanctuaries Program Amendments Act of 1992 requires that EPA and the State implement the WQPP in cooperation with NOAA. A "Final Water Quality Protection Program Document" was approved by the WQPP Steering Committee and contains the rationale and strategies to achieve the goals of the WQPP. The Draft FKNMS Science Plan identifies priority research areas that include the four topic areas for this request for preproposals. These topic areas have been reviewed by the FKNMS Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The Draft Science Plan includes short- and long-term data collection, to understand causal linkages between pollution sources and ecological problems. This understanding will be used to develop predictive models, evaluate management alternatives, devise corrective actions, and improve the monitoring program. The overall objective of the Special Studies Program is to identify and understand cause and effect relationships among pollutants, transport pathways, and the biological communities of the Sanctuary. Specific objectives are to: 1) identify and document cause and effect linkages between specific pollutants, water quality problems, and ecological impacts; 2) improve understanding of Sanctuary ecosystems, and develop predictive capabilities based on that understanding; and, 3) develop monitoring and research tools to detect pollutants, provide early warning of widespread ecological problems, and identify cause and effect relationships. PRIORITY TOPICS FOR SPECIAL STUDIES Recruitment and Survival of Marine Species Monitoring activities have documented the declines of corals and other important marine species in the Florida Keys. Research is needed to assess the recruitment and survival of stony coral populations (particularly reef-building species) throughout the Keys, the potential effects of ecological parameters on the recovery of benthic communities, and evaluation of factors responsible for the declines. Two examples of non-coral species are given below, but research proposals need not be limited to these two example species. The long-spined sea urchin (Diadema antillarum) virtually disappeared from waters surrounding the Florida Keys and much of the Caribbean basin in 1983-84, and has only recently re-appeared in a few areas. The cause of the decline was never definitively established. Research is needed to assess natural recruitment rates and factors affecting survivorship. The effectiveness of efforts (laboratory culturing and/or transplantation/translocation experiments) to reintroduce urchins and their subsequent effect on community structure need to be evaluated. The queen conch has been protected from collection in waters of the Florida Keys since 1986 because of severely diminished numbers. Even with protection, numbers of queen conch remain very low. Recent research suggests that some environmental factor(s) may prevent successful gonad development in conchs found in nearshore waters while those found offshore have mature gonads. Research is needed to determine factors controlling the population size of queen conch and methods to maximize the successful re-establishment of this important species. Decline in Coral Abundance, Coverage, and Species Diversity Monitoring at fixed stations throughout the Keys since 1996 has documented a 37% decline in living coral coverage within spur and groove habitats. Multiple stressors have been proposed for the loss of living coral, including nutrient addition to waters, coral diseases and bleaching, global climate change, and other human impacts. The etiologies of coral diseases in general, and the newly discovered diseases in particular, and the effects of disease on coral populations in terms of prevalence, incidence, and mortality rates are largely unknown. Also, the role of environmental factors, such as degraded water quality, in the onset and development of the diseases is not understood. Research is required to identify local, regional, and global causative factors and processes that cause coral decline in the Florida Keys. Research is needed to understand the short and long-term impacts of diseases, such as the impact of partial mortality on reproduction and other functions. Long-term studies of individual coral colonies are needed to assess the effects of coral bleaching, disease, mortality from various other sources, and potential for recovery. Distribution and Abundance of Pathogenic Bacteria, Viruses, and other Pathogens Previous research in the Florida Keys identified pathogenic viruses in 69% of nearshore sampling stations. Viruses were found to be infectious at some stations during winter months. Other research has documented the concentration of human bacteria and viruses in coral mucus and the identification of a potential coral disease organism as a widespread bacterium that may be found in the human intestine and other vertebrates. Research is required to assess the distribution and abundance of pathogens in waters of the Florida Keys, their sources and impacts to human health, and their role in the continued survival of the coral reef community. Effects of Management Actions on Abundance and Distribution of Marine Organisms Preliminary research on the effects of established fully protected (“no-take”) zones in the Florida Keys has demonstrated positive increases in population size and average size of several commercially and recreationally important fish species. Also, numbers and sizes of spiny lobsters have increased in areas closed to fishing and other extractive activities. Research is required to understand and assess the impacts of existing fully protected zones, including the recently implemented Tortugas Ecological Reserve, on community interactions, including commercially important fish and invertebrate species, as well as non-commercially important organisms, such as algae, corals and sponges. Also, research is required to understand siting and sizing requirements of protected areas to maximize their environmental benefits. REQUEST FOR PREPROPOSALS Investigators interested in submitting a preproposal in response to this announcement should immediately fill out the Notice-of-Interest form (Attachment A) attached to this announcement and send it to the address or FAX number given on the form. EPA has secured approximately $300,000 and Sanctuary Friends of the Florida Keys has secured $100,000 to fund the special studies discussed above. In addition, it is anticipated that NURP/NCRCP will contribute $150,000 in NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program funds, for total amount of approximately $550,000 for this announcement. Accepted proposals will be eligible to receive funds via a grant, cooperative agreement, or interagency agreement (federal agencies). Proposals may be written for one or two years. Individual grants/cooperative agreements/interagency agreements should not exceed a total of $100,000 per proposal. A minimum of 5% non-federal match is required for research projects funded by EPA and Sanctuary Friends; a minimum of 50% non-federal match is required for research projects funded by NURP/NCRCP. Non-federal matching funds may be comprised of a variety of public and private sources and may include in-kind contributions and other non-cash support. For further guidance on the matching requirement, please refer to Section 6403(b)(1) of the Coral Conservation Act of 2000. Projects with fieldwork in the upper Keys may be eligible to receive logistical support through NURC/UNCW in Key Largo. Eligibility criteria for the NURP/NCRCP funds: Eligible applicants are U.S. institutions of higher education, not-for-profit institutions, and state, local, and Indian tribal governments. Proposals may include federal researchers as collaborators with a researcher who is affiliated with a U.S. academic institution, non-federal agency, or any other non-profit organization. Federal organizations may not charge federal salary or overhead, but other categories are appropriate. Non-NOAA or EPA federal applicants must demonstrate legal authority to receive funds from another federal agency in excess of their appropriation. Proposals selected for funding from non-federal applicants will be funded through a cost-reimbursable or cooperative agreement. For proposals with a federal partner, the federal partner will receive funds through an inter-agency transfer (or intra-agency in the Case of a NOAA or EPA partner) from the national NURP office. Submission of a preproposal is required. Five copies of a preproposal must be submitted no later than February 3, 2003. Preproposals should consist of a Preproposal Title Page (Attachment B) and no greater than three pages of text (12 point/10 pitch type). Preproposals will be evaluated and ranked by the Management Committee of the WQPP and NURP/NCRCP staff. Evaluation of preproposals will be based upon conformance with this request and the goals and objectives of the FKNMS Draft Science Plan. A Draft Science Plan will be e-mailed upon request. Investigators will be notified by February 10, 2003 whether a full proposal should be submitted for review. At that time, detailed instructions for the preparation and submission of the full proposal will be sent to authors submitting successful preproposals. The deadline for receipt of a full proposal is March 10, 2003. Full proposals must be no greater than fifteen pages of text. Full proposals will be peer reviewed by an external review panel and ranked according to scientific merit and feasibility. Highly ranked proposals will be presented to the FKNMS TAC for review. The TAC will rank proposals with high scientific merit based upon relevance to the goals and objectives of the Draft Science Plan. The Management Committee will give great weight to the recommendations of the TAC in making their final selection of proposals for funding. The Management Committee will present their top candidates for funding to the Special Studies Subcommittee of the Steering Committee for final approval. Grants will be awarded no later than September 30, 2003. If you have any questions concerning the Water Quality Protection Program or this request for preproposals, please call Bill Kruczynski at 850-934-9298 or e-mail “kruczynski.bill@epa.gov”. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECIAL STUDIES ATTACHMENT A NOTICE OF INTEREST U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WATER QUALITY PROTECTION PROGRAM FOR THE FLORIDA KEYS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT WILMINGTON’S NATIONAL UNDERSEA RESEARCH CENTER SANCTUARY FRIENDS OF THE FLORIDA KEYS Investigators interested in submitting a preproposal for special studies in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary should complete this form and send it by mail or FAX to: Dr. Bill Kruczynski, Program Scientist U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Gulf Ecology Laboratory 1 Sabine Island Gulf Breeze, FL 32561 FAX 850 934-9201 E-mail: kruczynski.bill@epa.gov Please Note: Preproposals (5 copies) must be received no later than February 3, 2003. Name:______________________________________ Title:____________________________ Affiliation:___________________________________________________________________ Department:__________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address:_____________________________ City:____________________________ State:_______________________________________ Zip:_____________________________ Telephone Number:___________________________ FAX:____________________________ Email:_______________________________________________________________________ Your topic(s) of interest: Recruitment and Survival Coral Decline Pathogens Management Effects ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECIAL STUDIES ATTACHMENT B PREPROPOSAL TITLE PAGE TO BE SUBMITTED WITH FIVE COPIES OF THREE PAGE MAXIMUM PREPROPOSAL NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 3, 2003 PROJECT TITLE______________________________________________________________________-- ____________________________________________________________________________ PROJECT LEADER OTHER INVESTIGATORS _______________________________ _____________________________ Name _______________________________ _____________________________ Affiliation _______________________________ _____________________________ Address _______________________________ _____________________________ _______________________________ _____________________________ _______________________________ _____________________________ Telephone _______________________________ _____________________________ E-mail Co-Funding from an agency other than EPA is_____ is not_____ required to support the proposed special study. If co-funding is available, please indicate the amount of the expected non-federal match and percentage of match in relation to expected total request:__________. SUBMITTED BY__________________________ DATE_______________________ Signature_________________________________ -- Brian D. Keller Science Coordinator Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary P.O. Box 500368 Marathon, FL 33050 305-743-2437 x25 fax 2357 brian.keller@noaa.gov http://www.fknms.nos.noaa.gov/ ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: ARMS: Artificial Reef Matrix Systems Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2003 16:59:08 -1200 From: tawake_a@usp.ac.fj To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov CC: rqauqau@fisheries.gov.fj, sqalovaki@govnet.gov.fj, samasoni Sauni , etika Rupeni Dear Coral Listers, A team is coming to do a survey here in Fiji and they are proposing this ARMS: Artificial Reef Matrix Systems technique. I and most of my colleages here in Fiji have not used it let alone hear it. We are only farmiliar with other standard reef monitoring methods. Can anyone please direct us to where we can find more infor on this technique or how different it is from Belt or LIT methods commonly used? Look forward to your response. _____________________________ Alifereti Tawake, Scientific Officer, Institute of Applied Science (IAS), University of the South Pacific (USP), Private Mail Bag, Suva Fiji. Ph: (679) 3212653(W), (679) 3391339 (H) Fax: (679) 3300373 Email: Tawake_a@usp.ac.fj ************************************************************************************* Fiji Locally-Managed Marine Area (FLMMA) Network Project Liaison Officer (PLO) ************************************************************************************* LMMA Network: a FOS Learning Portfolio Coordination Team (PCT) Member ********************************************************************* ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Mooring systems in reef areas Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 06:57:37 -0500 From: Garnier - ARVAM To: Hello, I try to fit methods for an environmental study of boat mooring systems in Reunion Island, Indian Ocean. So I'm looking for documents or experiences about boat mooring systems in coral reef aeras or in protected aeras. Any comparison of reef state before and after mooring systems will interest me (coral communities and fish studies). I also try to collect informations about anchor effets on coral reefs. Any answer or new contact could help me. Best regards, ________________________________________________ R=E9mi GARNIER E-mail : rgarnier.arvam@wanadoo.fr ARVAM (Agence pour la Recherche et la Valorisation Marine) 14, Rue du Stade de l'Est 97490 Sainte Clotilde La R=E9union - France Tel : 02 62 28 39 08 (int. : (262) 262 28 39 08) Fax : 02 62 28 08 81 (int. : (262) 262 28 08 81) E-mail : arvam@wanadoo.fr URL : http://www.arvam.com ________________________________________________ ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: spiculae / crystals in slceractinian soft tissue ? Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 16:36:58 +0100 From: "Hoeksema, B.W." To: CC: "Gittenberger A." Dear All, This is a forwarded question / request: > Does anyone know of scleractinian corals that have spiculae/crystal-like structures inside their tentacles, looking like the ones on the SEM photographs on the webpage http://home.hetnet.nl/~ascidians/website/webpagespic.htm ? Could anyone tell me what these structures are? > > many thanks, > kind regards, > > Adriaan > > A. Gittenberger > PhD-student National Natural History Museum Naturalis > Leiden, The Netherlands > email: gittenbergera@naturalis.nnm.nl ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: RE: ARMS: Artificial Reef Matrix Systems Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 09:47:43 -1200 From: tawake_a@usp.ac.fj To: Coral List CC: rqauqau@fisheries.gov.fj, sqalovaki@govnet.gov.fj, s97007992@student.usp.ac.fj, erupeni@wwfpacific.org.fj Dear John Thank you for the information. Ive looked through the web site and has helped me alot in understanding this ARMS method. Cheers alifereti On 9 Jan 2003 at 12:39, John McManus wrote: Date sent: Thu, 09 Jan 2003 12:39:08 -0500 From: John McManus Subject: RE: ARMS: Artificial Reef Matrix Systems To: tawake_a@usp.ac.fj, Coral List Send reply to: jmcmanus@rsmas.miami.edu > Dear Alifereti, > > I found this on website: > http://www.nhm.org/marcom/news/voyages/research.htm. > > "ARMS-Artificial Reef Matrix Structure - Because it is so difficult to > capture small creatures that live within the coral heads themselves > without actually destroying parts of the reef, the research team > invented structures that would mimic the various habitats provided by > coral." > > Cheers! > > John > > _________________________________________________________ > > John W. McManus, PhD > Director, National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research (NCORE) > Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (RSMAS) > University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, Florida 33149. > jmcmanus@rsmas.miami.edu Tel. (305) 361-4814 Fax (305) 361-4910 > www.ncoremiami.org > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov > [mailto:owner-coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov]On Behalf Of tawake_a@usp.ac.fj > Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2003 11:59 PM To: > coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Cc: rqauqau@fisheries.gov.fj; > sqalovaki@govnet.gov.fj; samasoni Sauni; etika Rupeni Subject: ARMS: > Artificial Reef Matrix Systems > > > Dear Coral Listers, > A team is coming to do a survey here in Fiji and they are proposing > this ARMS: Artificial Reef Matrix Systems technique. > > I and most of my colleages here in Fiji have not used it let alone > hear it. We are only farmiliar with other standard reef monitoring > methods. > > Can anyone please direct us to where we can find more infor on this > technique or how different it is from Belt or LIT methods commonly > used? > > > Look forward to your response. > > > _____________________________ > Alifereti Tawake, Scientific Officer, > Institute of Applied Science (IAS), > University of the South Pacific (USP), Private Mail Bag, Suva Fiji. > Ph: (679) 3212653(W), (679) 3391339 (H) Fax: (679) 3300373 Email: > Tawake_a@usp.ac.fj > ********************************************************************** > ****** ********* Fiji Locally-Managed Marine Area (FLMMA) Network > Project Liaison Officer (PLO) > ********************************************************************** > ****** ********* LMMA Network: a FOS Learning Portfolio Coordination > Team (PCT) Member > ********************************************************************* > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > _____________________________ Alifereti Tawake, Scientific Officer, Institute of Applied Science (IAS), University of the South Pacific (USP), Private Mail Bag, Suva Fiji. Ph: (679) 3212653(W), (679) 3391339 (H) Fax: (679) 3300373 Email: Tawake_a@usp.ac.fj ************************************************************************************* Fiji Locally-Managed Marine Area (FLMMA) Network Project Liaison Officer (PLO) ************************************************************************************* LMMA Network: a FOS Learning Portfolio Coordination Team (PCT) Member ********************************************************************* ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Inshore Ecology Biologist wanted Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 07:03:10 -0500 From: "Will White" To: Dear List This is a re-advertisement, please note the new application deadline. Please feel free to email me any queries regarding the position. Kind regards Will White Will White Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) P.O. Box 3730 Pago Pago American Samoa 96799 Tel: (684) 633-4456 Fax: (684) 633-5944 Vacancy: Inshore Ecology Biologist, American Samoa Application Deadline: February 7th, 2003 General Description The Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) is recruiting an Inshore Ecology Biologist. Whilst the successful applicant will focus on his own research (Biology of key reef fishes), he/she will also give oversight on all aspects of DMWRs' Inshore Research and Management programs. Main Responsibilities: . Research into the Biology of Key Reef Species. . Supervise the Inshore Creel-Survey. . Coordinate inshore research by DMWR and other agencies, including invertebrate, coral and phycological studies. . Support DMWR's Community Based Monitoring Program . Liaise closely with the department's GIS staff to ensure that all data is GIS compatible. . Supervise technicians and other staff biologists. . Write proposals, progress reports and a final report analyzing data, formulating recommendations for further management. . Represent DMWR at regional, national and international technical meetings where appropriate. . Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Biologist. Minimum Qualifications . MSc. from accredited institution(s) with a major in Fisheries Science and/or Management, Marine Biology, Marine Resource Science/Management. . Experience of 2 or more years working on reef fish surveys and reef ecology. . Knowledge of fisheries management and conservation issues, tropical fisheries, . Demonstrated competency at statistical analyses techniques. . Computer and data base management. . Good communication and writing skills are essential. . Physically fit and able to work independently in remote locations under challenging and often harsh conditions. . Current SCUBA certification. . Driving license . Small boat-handling skills an advantage Salary Starting at $28,000 p.a. Two-year contract, renewable by mutual consent. Travel expenses and shipment of effects. Annual and sick leave accumulate at 8 hours and 4 hours respectively every 2-week pay period. Subsidized housing (80% subsidy) on rental of a government house. Subsidized medical care. Point of hiring must be from the USA or Pacific region. Application Mail, fax or email c.v., publication list and contact details for 3 references and a covering letter addressing the qualifications and responsibilities indicated above to: Ray Tulafono, Director Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources P.O. Box 3730 Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799 USA Fax: (684) 633-5944 Email applications may be routed via Will White at: will@blueskynet.as ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Reef Fish Spawning Aggregations Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 07:05:09 -0500 From: scrfa To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Dear Coral-listers, The Society for the Conservation of Reef Fish Spawning Aggregations is pleased to announce that it has updated its web-site at www.scrfa.org The site contains information on the Society itself, the phenomenon of spawning aggregations of reef fish and issues related to their conservation (including a recent case study of the Nassau grouper), a newsletter and updates of ongoing projects, most notably the development of a Global Database of spawning aggregations. We will also shortly be adding a Methods Manual on how to assess, research and monitor such aggregations. Those of you who host web-sites on coral reefs etc. may like to add a link to the site. All the best, Andy Cornish ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: siltation or low salinity? Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 13:45:56 +0100 From: "Hoeksema, B.W." To: "Dr.R. Jayabaskaran" , In reply to the message of Dr.R. Jayabaskaran: In Indonesia, relatively dense populations of Pseudosiderastrea tayami Yabe and Sugiyama, 1935 may co-occur with abundant Oulastrea crispata (Lamarck, 1816) corals. This this is likely the case on reefs near river outlets with much siltation (e.g. in Jakarta Bay, off Jakarta, and in the Makassar Strait off Makassar). However, there are also reefs with freshwater inflow (e.g. at Tulamben, Bali) where both species can be found in very clear water. Siltation may not be the key-factor determining the occurrence of these species, but low salinity. Best regards, Bert Hoeksema Dr. Bert W. Hoeksema Head, Department of Invertebrates Coordinator Marine Research National Museum of Natural History Naturalis P.O. Box 9517 2300 RA Leiden The Netherlands Tel. +31.71.5687631 Fax +31.71.5687666 E-mail: Hoeksema@naturalis.nnm.nl > -----Oorspronkelijk bericht----- > Van: Dr.R. Jayabaskaran [SMTP:jaybas@darya.nio.org] > Verzonden: dinsdag 14 januari 2003 2:05 > Aan: coral-list-daily@coral.aoml.noaa.gov > Onderwerp: Coral > > Dear All, > > Recently I surveyed the coral reefs of Gulf of Kachchh, India. > During my survey I observed that the coral Pseudosiderastrea tayami Yabe > and Sugiyama, 1935 was commonly distributed in shallow areas near > mangroves where the silting rate was very high. I would like to know " > Which coral species in the world has high survival rate in muddy > environment?" > > Kind regards, > R. Jeyabaskaran > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Dr. R. Jeyabaskaran > Research Associate > Biological Oceanography Division > National Institute of Oceanography > Dona-Paula > Goa 403 004, India > Phone: 91(0)832 2456700,2456701 Ext No-4252 > Fax : 91(0)832 2456703 > e-mail:jaybas@darya.nio.org > jeybas@hotmail.com > jeybas1@rediffmail.com > URL :www.nio.org > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: photos on coral reef degradation Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 07:59:13 -0500 From: "Herman Cesar" To: Hello I am currently working on a report for WWF on the economics of coral reef degradation. What I could really use are some good pictures for the report on impacts of sedimentation, bleaching (ideally some comparable pre and post pictures), tourism impacts, and poverty aspects of coral reef degradation. If you have any of this, I would really like to hear and if possible use it in the report. Of course your name will be mentioned and you will get a complementary copy (what other positive incentives can an economist build in?). It would be great if you have things in electronic format. I look forward to hearing from you Best regards Herman Cesar ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: carrying capacity Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 10:12:08 -0500 From: "Leandra Cho-Ricketts" To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Hello all, I have been searching the literature on carrying capacity of small offshore islands and cays, particularly in reference to tourism. SO far I have only come across studies on diver impacts. Can anyone give me some leads? We have a growing problem in Belize of overcrowding of small islands especially with a boom in cruise tourism and need some visitor limits based on scientific data. Any assistance would be much appreciated. Leandra Cho-Ricketts _________________________________________________________________ Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: RE: Coral Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 16:03:47 -0500 From: "John McManus" To: "Dr.R. Jayabaskaran" , Dear Dr. Jeyabaskaran; There is a very muddy cove in Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines that had (about 20 years ago) Acropora aspera or a similar species growing in broadly explanate fashion, apparently to avoid silt buildup. There was an unusally large mound of Physogyra (2-3 feet high). Other silty coves in the Philippines tend to have large-polyped Goniopora. Silty portions of Ambon Bay typically supported large beds of Euphyllia spp. Some foliose corals grow particularly explanate, narrower than normal "fronds" that seem to trap less sediment. Usually one finds corals that can rise above floculant silt or that can expell it with large polyps. However, much depends on whether or not the conditions lead to accumulation or not. Large mounds of Porites spp in the Philippines can tolerate considerable silt as long as there is a current strong enough to carry away the silt-laden mucous sheet they exude -- otherwise selective death and regrowth amid periodic siltation leads to a "pile of pancakes" effect. Several forms of Millepora (large mounds of fine branching forms) were found in another silty Puerto Galera cove -- though less silty. Most areas I've seen near mangroves have silt running across them periodically, but it does not stay long enough for long-term burial or submersion in a floculant layer to be a problem. That is where I have seen Pseudosiderastrea and Oulastrea. Cheers! John John W. McManus, PhD. Director National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research (NCORE) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, Fl. 33149 Phone: 305-361-4814 Fax: 305-361-4910 Email: jmcmanus@rsmas.miami.edu Website: www.ncoremiami.edu -----Original Message----- From: owner-coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov [mailto:owner-coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov]On Behalf Of Dr.R. Jayabaskaran Sent: Monday, January 13, 2003 8:05 PM To: coral-list-daily@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Subject: Coral Dear All, Recently I surveyed the coral reefs of Gulf of Kachchh, India. During my survey I observed that the coral Pseudosiderastrea tayami Yabe and Sugiyama, 1935 was commonly distributed in shallow areas near mangroves where the silting rate was very high. I would like to know " Which coral species in the world has high survival rate in muddy environment?" Kind regards, R. Jeyabaskaran ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dr. R. Jeyabaskaran Research Associate Biological Oceanography Division National Institute of Oceanography Dona-Paula Goa 403 004, India Phone: 91(0)832 2456700,2456701 Ext No-4252 Fax : 91(0)832 2456703 e-mail:jaybas@darya.nio.org jeybas@hotmail.com jeybas1@rediffmail.com URL :www.nio.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Re: silt-loving coral Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 19:56:50 EST From: EricHugo@aol.com To: jaybas@darya.nio.org, coral-list-daily@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Also, while doing surveys off Makkasar, Sulawesi, we ran into nearshore areas with considerable riverine discharge and heavy silt with nearly 100% coral coverage, mostly by Galaxea, with quite a few Trachyphyllia. Best, Eric Borneman Department of Biology and Biochemistry Program in Ecology and Evolution University of Houston Science and Research Building II Houston, TX 77252 email: eborneman@uh.edu Subject: Coral Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 17:05:00 -0800 (PST) From: "Dr.R. Jayabaskaran" To: coral-list-daily@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Dear All, Recently I surveyed the coral reefs of Gulf of Kachchh, India. During my survey I observed that the coral Pseudosiderastrea tayami Yabe and Sugiyama, 1935 was commonly distributed in shallow areas near mangroves where the silting rate was very high. I would like to know " Which coral species in the world has high survival rate in muddy environment?" Kind regards, R. Jeyabaskaran ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dr. R. Jeyabaskaran Research Associate Biological Oceanography Division National Institute of Oceanography Dona-Paula Goa 403 004, India Phone: 91(0)832 2456700,2456701 Ext No-4252 Fax : 91(0)832 2456703 e-mail:jaybas@darya.nio.org jeybas@hotmail.com jeybas1@rediffmail.com URL :www.nio.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Re: photos on coral reef degradation Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2003 00:57:34 -0500 From: To: Herman Cesar CC: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Herman (and others looking for similar images of degraded reefs) The Marine Photobank (www.marinephotobank.org) has images available to non-profits for conservation/educational purposes. You need to sign up and give a summary of how you would use the images - the process is painless. For those of you u/w photographers who already have good images of degraded reefs, please consider adding them to those on the marinephotobank site. Best, Stephen Colwell The Coral Reef Foundation ---- Original message ---- >Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 07:59:13 -0500 >From: "Herman Cesar" >Subject: photos on coral reef degradation >To: > >Hello > >I am currently working on a report for WWF on the economics of coral >reef degradation. What I could really use are some good pictures for the >report on impacts of sedimentation, bleaching (ideally some comparable >pre and post pictures), tourism impacts, and poverty aspects of coral >reef degradation. > >If you have any of this, I would really like to hear and if possible use >it in the report. Of course your name will be mentioned and you will get >a complementary copy (what other positive incentives can an economist >build in?). It would be great if you have things in electronic format. > >I look forward to hearing from you > >Best regards > >Herman Cesar > >~~~~~~~ >For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral- list or the >digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral- list.html . > Stephen Colwell Philanthropy Associates 510-525-4990 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: GCRMN Status Report available on ReefBase Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 22:12:39 -0800 From: "Oliver, Jamie (WorldFish)" To: "Coral List (E-mail)" Dear Coral-Listers Following the recent launch of the 2002 Global Coral Reef Status Report in December, the full text of the report is now available for download on ReefBase. It has also been broken down into separate chapters (regional reports) for individual download. The reports can be accessed either from the Status/Status Reports menu area (enter GCRMN in the source Field and 2002 in the year field), or in the References area where you can search by any of the chapter authors as well as by title and source. In the next few months we will be extracting text from these reports to include in our text database on status, management and threats to coral reefs by country. Best Regards Jamie Oliver ==================================================== ReefBase www.reefbase.org ReefBase is developed by the WorldFish Center. It is a product of the International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN). It is supported by the United Nations Foundation (UNF) and the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) ==================================================== =============================== Jamie Oliver Senior Scientist (Coral Reef Projects) WorldFish Center PO Box 500, Penang 10670 Phone: (604) 626 1606 Fax: (604) 626 5530 email: J.Oliver@cgiar.org visit ReefBase on: www.reefbase.org =============================== ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Fwd: GCRMN Status Report available on ReefBase Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2003 16:39:07 +1000 From: Theresa Millard To: "Coral List (E-mail)" Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002, edited by AIMS scientist Clive Wilkinson, has been available on the AIMS website since early December, under e-books. It can be found in very accessible format at: http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/research/coral-bleaching/scr2002/scr-00.html Cheers, Theresa ><>><>><>><> <><<><<><<>< Theresa Millard Science Communication Manager Australian Institute of Marine Science PMB No.3 Townsville Mail Centre Qld 4810 Ph 61 7 47534250 Fax 61 7 47716138 Mobile 0409 596 271 ><>><>><>><> <><<><<><<>< Begin forwarded message: From: "Oliver, Jamie (WorldFish)" Date: Tue Jan 14, 2003 4:12:39 PM Australia/Brisbane To: "Coral List (E-mail)" Subject: GCRMN Status Report available on ReefBase Dear Coral-Listers Following the recent launch of the 2002 Global Coral Reef Status Report in December, the full text of the report is now available for download on ReefBase. It has also been broken down into separate chapters (regional reports) for individual download. The reports can be accessed either from the Status/Status Reports menu area (enter GCRMN in the source Field and 2002 in the year field), or in the References area where you can search by any of the chapter authors as well as by title and source. In the next few months we will be extracting text from these reports to include in our text database on status, management and threats to coral reefs by country. Best Regards Jamie Oliver ==================================================== ReefBase www.reefbase.org ReefBase is developed by the WorldFish Center. It is a product of the International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN). It is supported by the United Nations Foundation (UNF) and the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) ==================================================== =============================== Jamie Oliver Senior Scientist (Coral Reef Projects) WorldFish Center PO Box 500, Penang 10670 Phone: (604) 626 1606 Fax: (604) 626 5530 email: J.Oliver@cgiar.org visit ReefBase on: www.reefbase.org =============================== ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Silicate uptake rates Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2003 13:12:45 +0100 From: Scheffers@t-online.de (Sander Scheffers) To: "Coral List" Hi, Did anybody of you work on silicate uptake by sponges? What are the fluxes? What is their affinity, in other words, at what concentration is it still possible for them to take up dissolved silicate? Is there a relationship between uptake rates and growth rates? Thanks in advance, Sander Scheffers --------------------------------------------------------------- Sander Scheffers PhD Candidate Department of Marine Ecology Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research & University of Amsterdam Ph: 0049- 2129377942 / 0049-179 7924367 Fax: 0031 222 319674 E-mail: Scheffers@t-online.de Homepage: www.nioz.nl --------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: silt-loving coral Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2003 17:12:05 -0800 (PST) From: "Dr.R. Jayabaskaran" To: "Hoeksema, B.W." CC: coral-list-daily@coral.aoml.noaa.gov In reply to the message of Dr. Bert W. Hoeksema The climate of Gulf of Kachchh, India is dry and has low rainfall, high salinity, temperature and tidal amplitude. The average annual rainfall is about 400mm. Tidal amplitude varies from 3.0 to 6.0 meter. Surface salinities vary from 35.2 to 39.4 ppt. The water temperature exceeds 35 degree centigrade in extreme summer and drops below 15 in extreme winter. Hence, Low salinity may not be the key factor in determining the occurrence of Pseudosiderastrea tayami Yabe and Sugiyama, 1935 Kind regards, R. Jeyabaskaran ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dr. R. Jeyabaskaran Research Associate Biological Oceanography Division National Institute of Oceanography Dona-Paula Goa 403 004, India Phone: 91(0)832 2456700,2456701 Ext No-4252 Fax : 91(0)832 2456703 e-mail:jaybas@darya.nio.org jeybas@hotmail.com jeybas1@rediffmail.com URL :www.nio.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Mon, 13 Jan 2003, Hoeksema, B.W. wrote: In reply to the message of Dr.R. Jayabaskaran: In Indonesia, relatively dense populations of Pseudosiderastrea tayami Yabe and Sugiyama, 1935 may co-occur with abundant Oulastrea crispata (Lamarck, 1816) corals. This this is likely the case on reefs near river outlets with much siltation (e.g. in Jakarta Bay, off Jakarta, and in the Makassar Strait off Makassar). However, there are also reefs with freshwater inflow (e.g. at Tulamben, Bali) where both species can be found in very clear water. Siltation may not be the key-factor determining the occurrence of these species, but low salinity. Best regards, Bert Hoeksema Dear All, Recently I surveyed the coral reefs of Gulf of Kachchh, India. During my survey I observed that the coral Pseudosiderastrea tayami Yabe and Sugiyama, 1935 was commonly distributed in shallow areas near mangroves where the silting rate was very high. I would like to know " Which coral species in the world has high survival rate in muddy environment?" Kind regards, R. Jeyabaskaran ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Slide Inquiry Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 09:13:13 -0500 From: "REEF Intern" To: > Hi Herman, > > We have a number of appropriate images in our slide archives here at REEF. If you would like to receive an attachment of these, please respond with the e-mail address you would like me to send them to. > > Thanks, > Kayte > > -- > Kayte and Laura > REEF Spring Interns > 98300 Overseas Highway > (305)852-0030 > (305)852-0301 fax > > -- > -- Kayte and Laura REEF Spring Interns 98300 Overseas Highway (305)852-0030 (305)852-0301 fax -- ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Reef Check at ITMEMS 2 Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 17:59:25 -0800 From: Craig Shuman To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Dear Coral-Listers, Reef Check will be hosting an informal meeting on the second day of ITMEMS 2, March 25, 2003 5:30 - 7:00 pm, location TBA. All current and interested Reef Check coordinators and participants are encouraged to attend to compare notes from the field and discuss changes to the new 2003 Reef Check protocol. I apologize to those listers to whom this message does not apply. Thank you, Craig Shuman <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Craig Shuman Reef Check Scientist Reef Check-UCLA Institute of the Environment 1362 Hershey Hall Box 95-1496 University of California at Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 90095-1496 USA Tel: 310-869-6574 Fax: 310-825-0758 Email: cshuman@ucla.edu Web: www.ReefCheck.org Subject: Summer Courses in Bermuda Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2003 12:23:18 -0400 From: Fred Lipschultz To: Coral List , Marbio List CC: hpatt@sargasso.bbsr.edu Dear Colleague, The Bermuda Biological Station for Research is pleased to announce its 2003 Summer Course offerings. These courses are for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students. The courses are all field intensive and participation is limited to maximize interaction with the instructors. Please review the course offerings and forward the information to any interested students or colleagues. Significant scholarship awards are available to qualified applicants. The deadline for application is March 15, 2003. Please alert your students to these courses by directing them to our website (http://www.bbsr.edu/Education/summercourses/summercourses.html) for application details or by forwarding this email to them. For more information, contact education@bbsr.edu . Thank you for your attention and I apologize if you receive multiple copies of this message. Fred Lipschultz Bermuda Biological Station for Research ****************************************************************** Coral Reef Ecology June 8 - 28 Marine Ecotoxicology June 8 - 28 Microbial Physiology June 29 - July 19 Marine Genomics July 20 - 26 Human Health and Oceans July 6 - 26 Tropical Marine Invertebrates July 27 - August 23 Molecular Ecology & Physiology of Marine Symbioses July 27 - August 16 ****************************************************************** Coral Reef Ecology. June 8 - 28, 2003 Dr. Fred Lipschultz; Dr. Sam de Putron, BBSR An integrated introduction and exposure to active areas of research covering physiology, photosynthesis, population biology, competition, ecosystems and human impacts. Field measurements and subsequent lab analyses provide practical training in common methods of reef studies such as photosynthesis, calcification, species surveys, fish behavior, larval recruitment and algal growth. The course requires SCUBA certification. Marine Ecotoxicology. June 8 - 28, 2003 Dr. Jack Manock, University of North Carolina; Dr. Peter Wells, Environment Canada; Dr. Richard Owen, BBSR; Dr. Michael Depledge, University of Plymouth The three-week course focuses on current issues in marine ecotoxicology, assessing the impacts of anthropogenic substances using a wide range of chemical and bioassay analyses. Students perform chemical analyses and marine microscale bioassays on samples they collect from three near-shore environments. Results are reported and discussed in the overall context of performing ecological risk management decisions and assessing the biological effects resulting from organisms exposed to anthropogenic compounds. Microbial Physiology. June 29 - July 19, 2003 Dr. Craig Carlson, University of California, Santa Barbara; Dr. Stephen Giovannoni, Oregon State University Traditional microbiology to the most recent molecular approaches will be considered within the context of biogeochemical processes. Field trips and laboratory experiments in the open ocean and coral reef rich waters surrounding Bermuda. Marine Genomics. July 20 - 26, 2003 Dr. John Heidelberg, The Institute for Genomics Research (TIGR); Dr. Stephen Giovannoni, Oregon State University A brief introduction to genomic tools and the computational approaches useful in the analysis of high-throughput sequencing data to address specific hypothesis relevant to marine microbial ecology. A one week course. Human Health and the Ocean. July 6 - 26, 2003 Dr. Eric Dewailly, MD, Laval University and WHO/PAHO Collaborating Center on Environmental and Occupational Health, Québec; Dr. Clare Morrall, St. George's University, Grenada The ocean is a major source of food, yet food chain contaminants represent a public health risk. Ocean biodiversity is the source of new medical treatments, yet waterborne diseases and marine toxin poisining is increasing as global climate affects the emergence of infectious diseases. This course addresses these issues. Molecular Ecology and Physiology of Marine Symbioses. July 27 - August 16, 2003 Dr. Hank Trapido-Rosenthal, BBSR; Dr. Andrew Baker, Columbia University The course will uncover techniques of molecular biology, which can be used to address previously intractable physiological, ecological and evolutionary questions regarding symbioses in marine environments Tropical Marine Invertebrates. July 27 - August 23, 2003 Dr. Kathryn A. Coates, BBSR; Dr. Clayton Cook, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution; Dr. Penelope Barnes, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Invertebrate diversity of Bermuda's reefs, seagrass and mangrove habitats is examined systematically and in relation to biological associations, behaviors, body forms and habitats. -- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Dr.Fredric Lipschultz Senior Research Scientist Head of Academic Affairs Bermuda Biological Station for Research Ferry Reach, GE01, BERMUDA Phone: (441) 297-1880 x217 internet: fred@bbsr.edu FAX: (441) 297-8143 BBSR Homepage http://www.bbsr.edu/ <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Subject: Morse e-mail Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 09:56:11 +1200 From: "Ron Devine Vave" Organization: Institute of Applied Science To: "Coral List Server" Hi Coral-listers, Does anyone know of the e-mail addresses of A.N.C. Morse and D.E. Morse? they wrote 2 papers (to my knowledge) relating to coral recruitment. thanks in advance. Ron Devine Vave, C/-Institute of Applied Science, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji. -------------------------- MSP: 3212871 Mobile: 9235741 -------------------------- Subject: (Fwd) Net closing on coral reef bombers Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 11:12:00 +0100 From: "GJ Gast" Organization: Greenpeace To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov FYI. Text continued below links. Cheers, GJ. Net closing on coral reef bombers 09:30 13 January 03 Exclusive from New Scientist Print Edition Coastguards will soon be hot on the trail of fishermen who are illegally blasting many coral reefs to rubble as they use bombs to increase their catch. F1 Up come the fish, as more coral turns to rubble (Image: HKUST) Up come the fish, as more coral turns to rubble (Image: HKUST) Blast fishing is a problem in many places throughout South-East Asia and along Africa's east coast. Although it is illegal, efforts to stop it are hampered by poor detection rates. "Blast fishing is often known to occur in a region through sporadic arrests and anecdotal observations, yet the scale of the problem is often not appreciated as most blasts go undetected," says George Woodman, who works on the listening project led by the marine sensors group at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. One problem that has hampered development of a detection system for underwater explosions is the cacophony produced by the claw-clicking "pistol" shrimp that live on reefs. Pistol shrimp near the detection system can generate short-range shock waves that are bigger than the signal from a distant bomb. But now the Hong Kong team has solved the problem. The researchers use underwater microphones, or hydrophones, to pick up the noise from blasts. The detection range for each hydrophone is around 30 kilometres and the team has developed software to calculate the direction of a blast from the slight time difference between the noise reaching each of three hydrophones. Two such sets of hydrophones could be used to triangulate the position of an explosion to within 30 metres over a 10-kilometre range. Fertiliser and fuel More on this story Related Stories 'Wonky holes' blamed for coral death 15 November 2002 Massive coral bleaching strikes Great Barrier Reef 12 April 2002 European corals hit hard by fishing 26 February 2002 For more related stories search the print edition Archive Weblinks Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Coral reefs in Sabah Reef shrimp Woodman and his team first had to make sure they could reliably recognise the sound generated by home-made bombs in the shallow waters where reef-smashing fishermen operate. They set off controlled explosions using bombs made from a mix of fertiliser and fuel oil - using sandy areas of the seabed to minimise ecological impact. Their system distinguishes the noise of an underwater explosion from that of the shrimps' clicking by recognising differences in the energy of the sound produced. An explosion contains more energy overall and lasts longer than the clicks. In contrast, the noise from an outboard motor is more prolonged, but its peak signal is smaller. Their system will be described in a future issue of Marine Pollution Bulletin. The team has already tested one of their hydrophones in a survey for the Sabah Parks Authority in Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, off Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia. "Over a 10-day stretch we picked up 15 blasts using one listening station [hydrophone] and we are very confident we can determine the direction of the blasts to within about 0.2 degrees," says Woodman. They now hope to mount a trial with three hydrophones. Michelle Knott For more exclusive news and expert analysis every week subscribe to New Scientist print edition. ========================================================= Dr Gert Jan Gast Seas and Oceans Campaigner, Greenpeace Netherlands Keizersgracht 174, 1016DW Amsterdam, The Netherlands Phone +31 20 5236655 Mobile +31 6 5206 2976 Fax +31 20 6221272 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: attaching files to your post Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 06:47:09 -0500 From: coral-list admin To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Remember, if you try to post an attached binary file (like a Word document, or an image file, etc.) to a coral-list message, it will probably not go through and will bounce to the administrator (me) and get delayed or sent back to you. If you must post or advise of such a file, you must either a) post a link to the stuff on your Web Page, b) make it ASCII instead, or, c) ask people to write to you directly for the stuff. The reasons for this are so that people's in-boxes don't get bogged down with large files they might not necessarily want (remember, many folks are dialing in instead of being on a T1 or better line), and because this helps prevent the circulation of viruses, which are typically moderate to large in file size. Thank you for your cooperation. Cheers, Jim coral-list admin ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 08:03:33 -0500 From: -0500 (EST) Received: from unknown(66.163.169.92) by hugo.aoml.noaa.gov via smap (V5.5) id xma003553; Wed, 15 Jan 03 18:36:38 -0500 Received: from [209.86.187.251] by web20404.mail.yahoo.com via HTTP; Wed, 15 Jan 2003 15:33:23 PST Message-ID: <20030115233324.79486.qmail@web20416.mail.yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 15:33:23 -0800 (PST) From: Dan Clark Subject: Save Florida's Last Nearshore Reefs Petition To: coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="0-450043507-1042673603=:77911" Sender: owner-coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Precedence: list --0-450043507-1042673603=:77911 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Scientists and Divers Urgently Petition State of Florida and the Federal Government to Save NORTH AMERICA'S last HEALTHY near shore CORAL Reefs January 5, 2003 TO: Jeb Bush, Governor of Florida Charlie Crist, Florida Attorney General Tom Gallagher, Chief Financial Officer Charles H. Bronson, Agriculture Commissioner David Struhs, Department of Environment Protection, Florida Broward County Commissioners Jim Naugle, Mayor, City of Fort Lauderdale Oliver Parker, Mayor, Lauderdale by the Sea Billy Causey, Superintendent, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Dan Basta, Director, National Marine Sanctuaries Program, NOAA Roger Griffis, U.S. Coral Reef Task Force All Members, U.S. Coral Reef Task Force: Secretary of Commerce Secretary of Interior Environmental Protection Agency National Marine Fisheries Service NOAA We, the undersigned coral reef scientists, conservationists, divers, fishermen, and other concerned members of the public, urgently appeal to the US Government, the State of Florida, and Governor Bush to immediately designate the remaining healthy shallow coral reef in Broward County as Outstanding Florida Waters, establish a management plan, and provide the same level of protection as the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. This coral reef (lying between Lauderdale by the Sea to Port Everglades in Broward County, Florida) is the last North American near shore coral reef still in excellent condition. It is threatened with imminent destruction by the effects of unnecessary dredging and beach filling. The Segment II permit (Permit Authorization #0163435-005-JC) that will allow the destruction of this reef is awaiting a final decision by Governor Bush and the Cabinet of the State of Florida. A hearing is scheduled for January 28 2003. We call for the permit to be denied because it violates Executive Order 13089 (Coral Reef Protection), and common sense. These Florida coral reefs are a priceless national treasure. They are the only healthy coral reefs in North America that one can swim to from the beach, and the only coral reefs directly in front of a major urban area. They represent the only place in Florida that corals and reef fish can spread northward if global warming continues. The Broward County reefs that lie closest to the beach are several miles in length and, amazingly, are covered with between thirty and forty percent of healthy, live coral, including many ancient corals up to a thousand years old. They contain the largest forest of Staghorn coral (a rare and rapidly vanishing species) known to remain in the entire Caribbean reef region. Dense fish populations pack these reefs which are essential habitat for juvenile fish. This nursery will surely perish without protection. These particular reefs are the last known of the once abundant shallow reefs that bordered Southeast Florida. Only by accident have they survived. They lie in front of the only large remaining stretch of Southeast Florida beach not already filled with dredged materials, which killed most of the other shallow reefs in the region. Those old reefs were equally magnificent. But they remain only in the memories of the oldest divers who watched them suffocate and die when dredged mud and sediment washed over them. No assessment studies were done until almost all of these old corals had been killed. It is unthinkable that the State could allow history to repeat itself by permitting the destruction of the last remaining stretch of healthy near shore Florida corals. Incredibly, these threatened Broward County reefs were unknown to scientists until very recently, even though they have been the crown jewel for local divers and fishermen for many years. Because they were unknown, they were never identified as a coral reef habitat, or designated as Outstanding Florida Waters, and have no protected status of any kind. This proposed dredging project is completely unnecessary. There is little beach erosion taking place in the stretch still protected by the living reef. By contrast, in all the areas where reefs were killed by previous beach dredge-filling projects, there is strong beach erosion. Those beaches can be more cheaply re-nourished by bypassing sand blocked by jetties from reaching them than by dredging the last available offshore sand supplies. Dredge fill material will directly bury some 13.6 acres of near shore hard-bottom that are feeding areas for endangered Green Turtles. Supporters of dredging point out that the dredge material will not be deliberately dumped directly on the reefs. But because the reefs lie in only 10-15 feet of water, 150 to 500 yards offshore, the pipelines from the dredge boats must cross them to get to the beach. There have been repeated and inevitable accidents in previous dredging projects as barges, anchors, chains, pipes, and suction pumps have damaged corals, despite the best of intentions. The mitigation plan requires 600 ton capacity barges with a loaded draft of approximately 7 feet to go over the reef to dump 152 million pounds of 4 to 6 foot boulders in the surf zone near the inner edge of the reef. Worse, the reefs will inevitably be smothered by mud plumes from the dredged material that will be re-suspended by wave action for years to come. Coral reefs are the most sediment-sensitive of all marine ecosystems. Staghorn corals, which lie closest to the beach, are the most sensitive species. The turbidity standard that is being applied (29 NTU) in the monitoring plan for this project is many times too high for these corals. This dredging project is as economically wasteful as it is environmentally irresponsible. According to the recent (2001) NOAA Socioeconomic Study of Reefs in Southeast Florida, Broward County earns some 2.069 billion dollars per year from reef related diving, fishing, and other marine activities that employ 36,000 people. This is more than any other Florida county including Monroe County (the Keys) and Dade County (Miami). Each dollar spent to destroy these reefs will eliminate many more dollars per year of income to the people of Broward County. Broward County is the shore diving capital of the continental United States and the only place where healthy coral reefs can be dived or snorkeled to from land. To allow this marvelous marine habitat to be destroyed is unconscionable. To destroy it in the name of widening a beach that is not eroding is like burning down the last Giant Redwood forest in the process of roadside weed clearance. Therefore, we appeal for immediate emergency action to save North America's last healthy near shore coral reefs from imminent threatened destruction. We call on all responsible Florida State, County, and Municipal officials to reject the Segment II dredging permit application and to fulfill the responsibilities designated under Coral Reef Protection Executive Order 13089 to protect all coral reefs in US waters. Further, we call on all responsible State and Federal Agencies to immediately begin the process to designate these reefs as Outstanding Florida Waters, to establish a proper management plan to ensure that they receive the same level of protection as those in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and to save them forever as a unique part of the natural heritage of the American people. For more information see the Cry of the Water and Global Coral Reef Alliance report. "Broward County Reef Threatened by Dredging" at www.cryofthewater.org and at www.globalcoral.org. For a video showing the incredible corals and fish of this area contact: Dan and Stephanie Clark at Reefteam2@yahoo.com or 954-753-9737 or 954-298-9737 For more information on the scientific and environmental condition of these reefs contact Dr. Thomas Goreau at goreau@bestweb.net or 617-864-0433. SIGNATORIES: Cry of the Water Dan Clark, President, Cry of the Water, P.O. Box 8143, Coral Springs, FL 33075 Stephanie Clark, Treasurer, Cry of the Water, P.O. Box 8143, Coral Springs, FL 33075 Global Coral Reef Alliance Thomas J. Goreau, Ph.D., President, Global Coral Reef Alliance, 37 Pleasant St., Cambridge, MA 02139 Jeff Houdret, Global Coral Reef Alliance, 324 Richardson Rd., Lansdale PA 19446 James Cervino, Global Coral Reef Alliance, 117-20 5th Ave., College Point NY 11356 Sierra Club National Dave Raney, Chair, Sierra Club National Marine Wildlife and Habitat Committee, 1621 Mikahala Way, Honolulu, HI 96816-3321 Sierra Club Florida and Broward Richard Winn, Florida Sierra, Marine Issues Committee, 6305 S. A1A Hwy #133, Melbourne Bech, FL 32951 Harold Hancock, Chair, Sierra Club Broward, 1500 SE 15th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 Public Employees for Environmental ResponsibilityDan Meyer, General Counsel Chuck Sultzman, Marine Biology Consultant Save Our Shoreline Brenda Lee Chalifour, Esq., Pro Bono for Save Our Shoreline, Inc. Reef Relief Dee Von Quirolo, Executive Director of Reef Relief, Key West, FL Greater Ft. Lauderdale Dive Association Jeff Torode, President, Greater Ft. Lauderdale Dive Association, P.O. Box 460216Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33346 PADI Bob Harris, PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors) PADI Project AwareKristin Vallette, PADI Project Aware Others Les Kaufman, Boston University Marine Program, 5 Cummington Street, Boston, MA 02215 Brian Lapointe, Senior Scientist, Division of Marine Science, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, 5600 US 1 North, Ft. Pierce, Fl 34946 Phillip Dustan, Ph.D., Department of Biology, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC 29424 Heinrich Holland, H.C. Dudley Research Professor, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA James S. Wang, Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Pierce Hall, 29 Oxford Street Cambridge, MA 02138 Please send names, affiliations, emails, and addresses of signatories to Reefteam2@yahoo.com, or Cry of the Water, P.O. Box 8143 Coral Springs, FL 33075 Cry of the Water, P.O. Box 8143 Coral Springs, FL 33075 reefteam2@yahoo.com visit our web site at cryofthewater.org --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now --0-450043507-1042673603=:77911 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii Scientists and Divers Urgently Petition State of Florida and the Federal Government to Save NORTH AMERICA'S last HEALTHY near shore CORAL Reefs

January 5, 2003

TO:

Jeb Bush, Governor of Florida

Charlie Crist, Florida Attorney General

Tom Gallagher, Chief Financial Officer    

Charles H. Bronson, Agriculture Commissioner

David Struhs, Department of Environment Protection, Florida

Broward County Commissioners

Jim Naugle, Mayor, City of Fort Lauderdale

Oliver Parker, Mayor, Lauderdale by the Sea

Billy Causey, Superintendent, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Dan Basta, Director, National Marine Sanctuaries Program, NOAA

Roger Griffis, U.S.  Coral Reef Task Force

All Members, U.S.  Coral Reef Task Force:

Secretary of Commerce

Secretary of Interior

Environmental Protection Agency

National Marine Fisheries Service

NOAA

We, the undersigned coral reef scientists, conservationists, divers, fishermen, and other concerned members of the public, urgently appeal to the US Government, the State of Florida, and Governor Bush to immediately designate the remaining healthy shallow coral reef in Broward County as Outstanding Florida Waters, establish a management plan, and provide the same level of protection as the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. 

This coral reef (lying between Lauderdale by the Sea to Port Everglades in Broward County, Florida) is the last North American near shore coral reef still in excellent condition. It is threatened with imminent destruction by the effects of unnecessary dredging and beach filling.  

The Segment II permit (Permit Authorization #0163435-005-JC) that will allow the destruction of this reef is awaiting a final decision by Governor Bush and the Cabinet of the State of Florida. A hearing is scheduled for January 28 2003. We call for the permit to be denied because it violates Executive Order 13089 (Coral Reef Protection), and common sense. 

These Florida coral reefs are a priceless national treasure. They are the only healthy coral reefs in North America that one can swim to from the beach, and the only coral reefs directly in front of a major urban area. They represent the only place in Florida that corals and reef fish can spread northward if global warming continues. 

The Broward County reefs that lie closest to the beach are several miles in length and, amazingly, are covered with between thirty and forty percent of healthy, live coral, including many ancient corals up to a thousand years old. They contain the largest forest of Staghorn coral (a rare and rapidly vanishing species) known to remain in the entire Caribbean reef region. Dense fish populations pack these reefs which are essential habitat for juvenile fish. This nursery will surely perish without protection.  

These particular reefs are the last known of the once abundant shallow reefs that bordered Southeast Florida. Only by accident have they survived. They lie in front of the only large remaining stretch of Southeast Florida beach not already filled with dredged materials, which killed most of the other shallow reefs in the region.  

Those old reefs were equally magnificent. But they remain only in the memories of the oldest divers who watched them suffocate and die when dredged mud and sediment washed over them. No assessment studies were done until almost all of these old corals had been killed. It is unthinkable that the State could allow history to repeat itself by permitting the destruction of the last remaining stretch of healthy near shore Florida corals. 

Incredibly, these threatened Broward County reefs were unknown to scientists until very recently, even though they have been the crown jewel for local divers and fishermen for many years. Because they were unknown, they were never identified as a coral reef habitat, or designated as Outstanding Florida Waters, and have no protected status of any kind.  

This proposed dredging project is completely unnecessary. There is little beach erosion taking place in the stretch still protected by the living reef. By contrast, in all the areas where reefs were killed by previous beach dredge-filling projects, there is strong beach erosion. Those beaches can be more cheaply re-nourished by bypassing sand blocked by jetties from reaching them than by dredging the last available offshore sand supplies. Dredge fill material will directly bury some 13.6 acres of near shore hard-bottom that are feeding areas for endangered Green Turtles.  

Supporters of dredging point out that the dredge material will not be deliberately dumped directly on the reefs. But because the reefs lie in only 10-15 feet of water, 150 to 500 yards offshore, the pipelines from the dredge boats must cross them to get to the beach. There have been repeated and inevitable accidents in previous dredging projects as barges, anchors, chains, pipes, and suction pumps have damaged corals, despite the best of intentions. The mitigation plan requires 600 ton capacity barges with a loaded draft of approximately 7 feet to go over the reef to dump 152 million pounds of 4 to 6 foot boulders in the surf zone near the inner edge of the reef.  

Worse, the reefs will inevitably be smothered by mud plumes from the dredged material that will be re-suspended by wave action for years to come. Coral reefs are the most sediment-sensitive of all marine ecosystems. Staghorn corals, which lie closest to the beach, are the most sensitive species. The turbidity standard that is being applied (29 NTU) in the monitoring plan for this project is many times too high for these corals.  

This dredging project is as economically wasteful as it is environmentally irresponsible. According to the recent (2001) NOAA Socioeconomic Study of Reefs in Southeast Florida, Broward County earns some 2.069 billion dollars per year from reef related diving, fishing, and other marine activities that employ 36,000 people. This is more than any other Florida county including Monroe County (the Keys) and Dade County (Miami). Each dollar spent to destroy these reefs will eliminate many more dollars per year of income to the people of Broward County. 

Broward County is the shore diving capital of the continental United States and the only place where healthy coral reefs can be dived or snorkeled to from land. To allow this marvelous marine habitat to be destroyed is unconscionable. To destroy it in the name of widening a beach that is not eroding is like burning down the last Giant Redwood forest in the process of roadside weed clearance. 

Therefore, we appeal for immediate emergency action to save North America's last healthy near shore coral reefs from imminent threatened destruction. We call on all responsible Florida State, County, and Municipal officials to reject the Segment II dredging permit application and to fulfill the responsibilities designated under Coral Reef Protection Executive Order 13089 to protect all coral reefs in US waters.  

Further, we call on all responsible State and Federal Agencies to immediately begin the process to designate these reefs as Outstanding Florida Waters, to establish a proper management plan to ensure that they receive the same level of protection as those in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and to save them forever as a unique part of the natural heritage of the American people.

For more information see the Cry of the Water and Global Coral Reef Alliance report. "Broward County Reef Threatened by Dredging" at www.cryofthewater.org and at www.globalcoral.org. For a video showing the incredible corals and fish of this area contact: Dan and Stephanie Clark at Reefteam2@yahoo.com or 954-753-9737 or 954-298-9737 For more information on the scientific and environmental condition of these reefs contact Dr. Thomas Goreau at goreau@bestweb.net or 617-864-0433.

SIGNATORIES:

Cry of the Water

Dan Clark, President, Cry of the Water, P.O. Box 8143, Coral Springs, FL 33075

Stephanie Clark, Treasurer, Cry of the Water, P.O. Box 8143, Coral Springs, FL 33075

Global Coral Reef Alliance

Thomas J. Goreau, Ph.D., President, Global Coral Reef Alliance, 37 Pleasant St., Cambridge, MA 02139

Jeff Houdret, Global Coral Reef Alliance, 324 Richardson Rd., Lansdale PA 19446

James Cervino, Global Coral Reef Alliance, 117-20 5th Ave., College Point NY 11356

Sierra Club National

Dave Raney, Chair, Sierra Club National Marine Wildlife and Habitat Committee, 1621 Mikahala Way, Honolulu, HI 96816-3321

Sierra Club Florida and Broward

Richard Winn, Florida Sierra, Marine Issues Committee, 6305 S. A1A Hwy #133, Melbourne Bech, FL  32951

Harold Hancock, Chair, Sierra Club Broward, 1500 SE 15th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL  33316

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility

Dan Meyer, General Counsel

Chuck Sultzman, Marine Biology Consultant

Save Our Shoreline

Brenda Lee Chalifour, Esq., Pro Bono for Save Our Shoreline, Inc.

Reef Relief

Dee Von Quirolo, Executive Director of Reef Relief, Key West, FL

Greater Ft. Lauderdale Dive Association 

Jeff Torode, President, Greater Ft. Lauderdale Dive Association, P.O. Box 460216Ft. Lauderdale, FL  33346                                                                                                &nbs! p;     &n bsp;    

 PADI

Bob Harris, PADI  (Professional Association of Dive Instructors)

PADI Project Aware

Kristin Vallette, PADI Project Aware 

Others

Les Kaufman, Boston University Marine Program, 5 Cummington Street, Boston, MA  02215

Brian Lapointe, Senior Scientist, Division of Marine Science, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, 5600 US 1 North, Ft. Pierce, Fl  34946

Phillip Dustan, Ph.D., Department of Biology, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC  29424

Heinrich Holland, H.C. Dudley Research Professor, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

James S. Wang, Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Pierce Hall, 29 Oxford Street Cambridge, MA  02138

Please send names, affiliations, emails, and addresses of signatories to Reefteam2@yahoo.com, or Cry of the Water, P.O. Box 8143 Coral Springs, FL 33075



Cry of the Water, P.O. Box 8143 Coral Springs, FL 33075 reefteam2@yahoo.com visit our web site at cryofthewater.org


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Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now --0-450043507-1042673603=:77911-- ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Dust and other Hypotheses Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 10:08:33 -0500 From: Gene Shinn To: coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov Dear Coral Listers, Since there has been so much discussion of the African dust hypothesis on the list in recent weeks, I could resist responding no longer. First, the experiments proposed by Jim Hendee to test African dust effects on corals are similar to ones I have been proposing for at least 5 years. Unfortunately, there is little funding to do such work. In addition, the USGS does not have in place the dust collectors you mention. We sample for microbes using very small samples and collection requires only 10-to-15 minutes. We do no routine monitoring but would if we could. There is no funding for the large expensive samplers needed to provide enough sample for the experiments Jim proposed. Secondly, the major problem with finding the Diadema pathogen is that the pathogen that first killed them has not been identified so we do not know what to look for. It would be possible, however, to test living Diadema against those microbes that have been cultured from dust thus far. I thank Lessios for answering Alina's question regarding survival of West African Diadema. I did not have an answer as elegant as his. I could only suggest that Diadema living so close to the source, like the humans and the Siderastera sp. that survive there, long ago adapted and those that didn't died. Lessios also makes some very valid points regarding water transport of the unknown pathogen. We accept that the Diadema die-off began near the Panama Canal (Lessios et al., 1984, Science, 226:335-337). We also point out that the die-off began in winter when African dust impacts the southern Caribbean, South America and the Panama region and it was also the dustiest year since Prospero began monitoring dust in 1965. The upper Caribbean is impacted later during the summer months. Like Lessios, we believe water transport is very important. How else would it infect Diadema in aquaria (I assume we are talking running seawater aquaria)? Once the Caribbean basin is impacted as shown in the NOAA satellite image in our 4-page info sheet in our website, water currents likely complete the distribution of any pathogens delivered from the air. Areas downcurrent, such as, Belize and Florida, were impacted by the disease after Panama. What has concerned us, however, is how did the pathogen later move hundreds of miles against the Caribbean Current to reach the Lesser Antilles? Dust contamination of the Atlantic seaward of the Antilles and then transport downcurrent to the Antilles seems a reasonable possibility. There is nothing between the Antilles and Africa, and both the wind and the currents move toward the Antilles. More recent studies conducted by microbiologists at our office show that microbial species in dust can change drastically within 30 minutes. Don't expect a dust cloud to deliver the same microbes everywhere at the same time. My main point is that the dust hypothesis is just that, an hypothesis, as are the other proposed causes of Diadema and coral death. The ballast-water origin is an unproven hypothesis, as are the other "usual suspects" that drive coral research funding. This latter point gets back to what Jim pointed out a week earlier regarding the emotional "pollution" word. Where is the original basic research demonstrating the degree of damage done to corals by the "usual suspects," oil spills, sewage, sedimentation, and mosquito spraying, to name a few? We seem to have skipped over the basics and then let assumptions and emotion guide our research and funding agencies. Best Wishes, Gene ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/ | E. A. Shinn email eshinn@usgs.gov USGS Center for Coastal Geology | 600 4th St. South | voice (727) 803-8747 x3030 St.Petersburg, FL 33701 | fax (727) 803-2032 ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: 31st. AMLC Scientific Meeting Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 14:55:54 -0400 From: "Ernesto Weil" To: "Corallist" Subject: coastal boundaries of marine climatic zones Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 19:41:41 -0000 From: "Simon Harding" To: Dear listers, Can anyone recommend a reference which gives positions for the boundaries between the major climatic marine regions of the world e.g the position of the boundary between tropical and subtropical waters along the west African coast. As there is some seasonal variation involved perhaps a range of positions would be more useful. Thanks, Simon Simon Harding Marine Science Co-ordinator -- Coral Cay Conservation www.coralcay.org ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: RE: coastal boundaries of marine climatic zones Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 15:15:45 -0500 From: "Kassem, Ken" To: "'sph@coralcay.org'" , coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Hi Simon, I would suggest Robert Bailey's "Ecoregions: The Ecosystem Geography of the Oceans and Continents" published by Springer and/or Longhurst's "Ecological Geography of the Sea." These both give a single line for the boundaries but recognize explicitly that the boundary shifts on a variety of time-scales. Best, Ken *********************** Kenneth Kassem Conservation Specialist - marine/GIS Conservation Science Program World Wildlife Fund - US 1250 24th St NW Washington DC 20037 tel: + (202) 778 9535 fax: + (202) 292 9211 -----Original Message----- From: Simon Harding [mailto:sph@coralcay.org] Sent: Friday, January 17, 2003 2:42 PM To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Subject: coastal boundaries of marine climatic zones Dear listers, Can anyone recommend a reference which gives positions for the boundaries between the major climatic marine regions of the world e.g the position of the boundary between tropical and subtropical waters along the west African coast. As there is some seasonal variation involved perhaps a range of positions would be more useful. Thanks, Simon Simon Harding Marine Science Co-ordinator -- Coral Cay Conservation www.coralcay.org ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Bleaching Alert - Scott Reef Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 16:26:18 -0500 From: "Alan E Strong" To: Coral-list CC: Ray Berkelmans , Terry Done , William Skirving , Clive Wilkinson , Lindsey Williams Bleaching Alert - 14.02S, 121.85E - Scott Reef ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Scott Reef off the northwest shelf of Australia was one of the hardest hit reefs during the 1998 bleaching event, with reports of bleaching as deep as 30 meters. In our collaborations with the Australian Institute of Marine Science we note that due to a significant SST anomaly off the NW Australia, Scott Reef is once again (interestingly again during an El Nino) experiencing potentially high stress due to very hot water. It has currently accumulated 8.4 DHW (Degree Heating Weeks, see http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/dhw_news.html). This compares to 8 DHW for 1998. The big difference this year is that the apparent center of the SST anomaly causing this severe thermal stress is to the NW of Scott as opposed to the W and SW in 1998, also the 2003 SST anomaly is significantly cooler, but obviously closer to Scott Reef. This may imply that the accumulated heat is shallower than in 1998, but this can be only speculation at this stage. A more troublesome aspect of this anomaly is that it is very close to Ashmore Reef (approx. 10 km to the northeast) which is currently experiencing a DHW of more than 8. This compares to a maximum DHW of 6.5 for 1998. We expect that there has been significant bleaching on both reefs to date. AIMS plans a research cruise to Scott Reef mid-March 2003. NOAA's Coral Reef Watch Team -- **** <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* Alan E. Strong Team Leader, Marine Applications Science Team (MAST) Coral Reef Watch Project Coordinator Phys Scientist/Oceanographer NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/ORAD -- E/RA3 NOAA Science Center -- RM 711W 5200 Auth Road Camp Springs, MD 20746-4304 Alan.E.Strong@noaa.gov 301-763-8102 x170 FAX: 301-763-8572 http://orbit-net.nesdis.noaa.gov/orad --------------------------------------------------------------------- Alan E. Strong, Ph. D. Oceanographer/Team Leader NOAA/NESDIS/ORA Oceanic Research & Applications Division Alan E. Strong, Ph. D. Oceanographer/Team Leader NOAA/NESDIS/ORA Oceanic Research & Applications Division NOAA Science Center 5200 Auth Road Cellular: 410-490-6602 Camp Springs Fax: 301-763-8572 MD Work: 301-763-8102 x170 20746 USA Additional Information: Last Name Strong First Name Alan E. Version 2.1 Subject: Re: coastal boundaries of marine climatic zones Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 15:41:31 -0600 From: "Robert W. Buddemeier" Organization: KGS CC: Coral-List On zonation and its determination -- 1. For a web version, go to http://www.pml.ac.uk/globec/main.htm, click the DATA link in the left margin menu, then click the GLOBEC Typology link on the Data page. 2. For a more do-it-yourself exploratory approach, you can use the environmental database on the Hexacoral website (www.kgs.ukans.edu/Hexacoral) to select and filter the geographic and value ranges for environmental variables of interest, and either download them as files of values for half degree cells, or view them. We have prototype tools that allow a user to map individual variables and to 'find similar areas' based on a range of values for a number of variables. These are very much in development and not yet user-friendly enough for instant point-and-click, but the capabilities are there and already quite useful if you have some serious questions about environmental geography that you want to explore rather than using canned answers. If anyone is sufficiently interested in this to want to spend some time exploring and testing, we would be happy to welcome you to the team of alpha/beta-testers (a.k.a. guinea pigs). If interested, send me (not necessarily the whole list) an email indicating your questions/needs, and I can tell you whether we can help, and give you a starter set of instructions. Plus, a free copy of the map image that I didn't attach because I remembered the reminder. Bob Buddemeier Stephen C Jameson wrote: >Dear Simon, > >Regarding: > > > >>Dear listers, >> >>Can anyone recommend a reference which gives positions for the boundaries >>between the major climatic marine regions of the world e.g the position of >>the boundary between tropical and subtropical waters along the west African >>coast. As there is some seasonal variation involved perhaps a range of >>positions would be more useful. >> >>Thanks, >> >>Simon >> >>Simon Harding >>Marine Science Co-ordinator >> >> > >See: > >Sullivan Sealey, K. Bustamante, G. 1999. Setting Geographic Priorities >for Marine Conservation in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Nature >Conservancy, Arlington, VA. > >Call Eva Vilarrubi 703-841-4860 for a copy. > > >Best regards, > >Dr. Stephen C. Jameson, President >Coral Seas Inc. - Integrated Coastal Zone Management >4254 Hungry Run Road, The Plains, VA 20198-1715 USA >Office: 703-754-8690, Fax: 703-754-9139 >Email: sjameson@coralseas.com >Web Site: www.coralseas.com > > >~~~~~~~ >For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > > > -- Dr. Robert W. Buddemeier Kansas Geological Survey University of Kansas 1930 Constant Avenue Lawrence, KS 66047 USA e-mail: buddrw@ku.edu ph (1) (785) 864-2112 fax (1) (785) 864-5317 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Re: coastal boundaries of marine climatic zones Date: Sat, 18 Jan 03 15:32:51 -0500 From: Stephen C Jameson To: , "Coral-List" Dear Simon, Regarding: >Dear listers, > >Can anyone recommend a reference which gives positions for the boundaries >between the major climatic marine regions of the world e.g the position of >the boundary between tropical and subtropical waters along the west African >coast. As there is some seasonal variation involved perhaps a range of >positions would be more useful. > >Thanks, > >Simon > >Simon Harding >Marine Science Co-ordinator See: Sullivan Sealey, K. Bustamante, G. 1999. Setting Geographic Priorities for Marine Conservation in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA. Call Eva Vilarrubi 703-841-4860 for a copy. Best regards, Dr. Stephen C. Jameson, President Coral Seas Inc. - Integrated Coastal Zone Management 4254 Hungry Run Road, The Plains, VA 20198-1715 USA Office: 703-754-8690, Fax: 703-754-9139 Email: sjameson@coralseas.com Web Site: www.coralseas.com ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Sojourns In Nature Date: Sun, 19 Jan 2003 06:19:35 -0500 From: "Gustav W. Verderber" To: SOJOURNS IN NATURE®, ENVIRONMENTAL INTERPRETATION NATURAL HISTORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY PROGRAMS, 2003-2004 EMAIL: mailto:Sojourns@PShift.com WEB SITE: www.SojournsInNature.com FEATURED IMAGE: http://www.sojournsinnature.com/osprey.html THE FOLLOWING ITINERARIES ARE CURRENTLY OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT. Undergraduate credit* is available through Sterling College and students should have no difficulty transferring these credits to their home institutions. All programs are organized and conducted by Gustav W. Verderber, a nationally published, award-winning nature photojournalist and naturalist. We post these itineraries only twice a year. If you feel that these programs do not merit mention on this discussion list, then kindly let us know by sending an email to mailto:Sojourns@Pshift.com. However, we hope that you find our offerings of sufficient merit to permit their announcement on this listserv and that you will distribute them to fellow faculty and students. For further information, please visit http://SojournsInNature.com or click the URL next to the program. The link will take you directly to a detailed program description at our web site. Read what past participants have said about their Sojourns In Nature experience at http://www.sojournsinnature.com/ecotours.html and http://www.sojournsinnature.com/workshops.html. THE GREEN MOUNTAIN NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP & CAMP-IN June 6 - June 12, 2003 This is a complete introduction to the professional field techniques of nature photography. Immerse yourself in your passion for one week and I will help you take your photographic skills to the professional level as we photograph the natural history of the Great Northern Forest. This time of year, the Northern Forest is vibrant with wildflowers, moose, nesting birds, and amphibians. VIEW A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THIS PROGRAM: http://www.sojournsinnature.com/greenmountain.html VISIT THE NORTHERN FOREST GALLERY AT: http://www.sojournsinnature.com/forestgallery.html MASAI MARA SAFARI July 19, 2003 - July 29, 2003 Scheduled to coincide with the Masai Mara's magnificent spectacle of the annual Wildebeest Migration, this safari is designed for the serious photographer interested in producing top quality images of African wildlife. Local guides will put us in the right place at the right moment to capture feeding lions, leopards, as well as elephants, buffalo, and rhinos. VIEW A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THIS PROGRAM: http://www.sojournsinnature.com/kenya.html#trip1 THE TOM JORDAN MEMORIAL BOREAL COAST TOUR August 1 - 4, 2003 Seals, puffins, bald eagles, rugged seascapes, starfish, whales, and boreal bogs characterize the thrilling diversity of the North Altantic coast. Machias Seal Island is the only bird sanctuary in the world where visitors can view nesting puffins from within a few feet to get that coveted shot of a puffin with a beak full of fish! This is my most popular tour so register now and reserve your space on this maritime adventure. VIEW A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THIS PROGRAM: http://www.sojournsinnature.com/borealcoast.html VISIT THE BOREAL COAST GALLERY AT: http://www.sojournsinnature.com/marinegallery.html FALL FOLIAGE MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR October 3 - October 6, 2003 Hone your landscape photography skills by joining me during New England’s resplendent fall foliage season. I will be visiting my favorite locations in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains to photograph stock images for Vermont Life, Yankee, and other regional magazines. VIEW A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THIS PROGRAM: http://www.sojournsinnature.com/fallfoliage.html WILDLIFE OF COSTA RICA December 1-6, 2003 Join me and wildlife photographer Roy Toft on the Osa peninsula. Located on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, the Osa peninsula is one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet! Together, we will photograph monkeys, poison dart frogs, exotic plants, toucans, insects, and reptiles. We’ll have to bring all of our professional field techniques to bear in order to capture the remarkable diversity of subjects so this is an ideal opportunity for you to learn how to photograph everything from leaf-cutter ants to tropical sunsets like the pros. VIEW A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THIS PROGRAM: http://www.sojournsinnature.com/costarica.html KENYA SAFARI January 4, 2004 - January 14, 2004 Designed for the ambitious nature photographer, this photo safari will put you where the action is and I will be there with you to help you take professional quality photographs of Africa’s famed wildlife. We’ll photograph elephants in Kenya’s famous Amboseli National Park and lions, wildebeest, and rhinos in the fabulous Masai Mara. VIEW A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THIS PROGRAM: http://www.sojournsinnature.com/kenya.html#trip2 S.E. ALASKA WILDLIFE SAFARI July 10 - 25, 2004 After leading 3 consecutive nature tours to Alaska, I collaborated with the best outfitters and guides I met while “in the country" to put together a two-week itinerary that maximizes the photography and eliminates much of the tedious, and costly travel between locations. Based in the coastal town of Petersburg in the biologically rich Tongass National Forest, we will have easy access to bears, bald eagles, humpback whales, seals, icebergs, glaciers, Sitka black-tailed deer, and old growth forest communities. This tour is limited to just five people so sign up now to reserve your place in this unique Alaskan adventure. VIEW A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THIS PROGRAM: http://www.sojournsinnature.com/alaska.html VISIT THE ALASKA GALLERY AT: http://www.sojournsinnature.com/alaskagallery.html SOJOURNS IN THE WILD This acclaimed multi-media natural history presentation has been hailed by William H. Meadows, president of the Wilderness Society as “a superb piece - one I hope is shown frequently throughout the region.” Ideal for campuses, nature centers, conferences…Earth Day. Proceed to the program: http://www.sojournsinnature.com/sojournsinthewild.html FIELD BIOLOGISTS PLEASE TAKE NOTE I am always interested in hearing from field biologists who would be interested in collaborating on photo/text pieces for publication in “Natural History”, “Smithsonian”, “National Geographic”, “National/International Wildlife”, and other top natural history publications. *@ $35.00/credit Peace & may the light be with you, Gustav W. Verderber ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SOJOURNS IN NATURE® - ENVIRONMENTAL INTERPRETATION mailto:Sojourns@PShift.com http://www.SojournsInNature.com P.O. Box 153, Lowell, VT 05847 USA Telephone: (802) 744-2392 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Re: Dust and other Hypotheses Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2003 09:08:33 +0100 From: rbak@nioz.nl To: Gene Shinn CC: coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov Dear Gene, As for how the Diadema pathogen reached the lesser Antilles against the current: We saw that in Curacao the disease clearly started at the harbour. The days following the break out of the disease at the harbour it worked it's way up- and down current over the reefs along the coast, away from the harbour. The disease was moving swiftly with the current and slowly against it (Bak et al. 1983, MEPS 17:105-108). We always assumed the pathogen came to Curacao with ship(s), in bilgewater or any other way a ship could transport the pathogen. Rolf PM Bak Prof. dr. Rolf P.M. Bak rbak@nioz.nl tel +31 222 369541 fax +31 222 319674 Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) P.O. Box 59 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel The Netherlands ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Re: Bleaching Alert - Scott Reef Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2003 16:57:21 +0800 From: Luke Smith To: "Alan E Strong" , Coral-list CC: Ray Berkelmans , Terry Done , William Skirving , Clive Wilkinson , Lindsey Williams Coral Listers In response to Al Strong's bleaching alert, below is the latest bleaching information from north Western Australia Ashmore Reef An Australian Customs Vessel is permanently based at Ashmore Reef. I have spoken to the officers there, and after snorkeling at a number of locations they cannot see any signs of bleaching at all. While they are generally unfamiliar with coral reefs, I have sent them a number of photographs and a report to indicate what to look for. Looking at the NOAA data it does surprise me that there is not a relatively severe bleaching there. We have two temperature loggers in the lagoon at Ashmore Reef which we will exchange during an extensive survey we have planned for April. Scott Reef Scott Reef is very isolated reef, with few visitors. There is no one currently at Scott Reef. We have asked Coastwatch (border patrol), who frequently fly over Scott Reef to report back if they note anything unusual (eg. a white reef). As of yet we have not received any reports back. Nine temperature loggers are currently located in and around Scott Reef. I would be surprised if the reef is not bleached at the moment. We currently have a field trip to Scott Reef planned for March to survey monitoring sites, census tagged juvenile and adult corals, assess coral recruitment and exchange our temperature loggers. To see a brief report on the recovery (or non-recovery) of Scott Reef coral communities since the 1998 bleaching and potential reasons why there has been no recovery, see: Page 6 of the document http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/research/coral-bleaching/scr2002/pdf/scr2002-01.pdf Obviously, more bleaching events at Scott Reef will further delay any recovery of the coral communities at Scott Reef to their pre-1998 coverage and diversity. For people who have no idea where Ashmore and Scott Reefs are, see: http://www.auslig.gov.au/facts/images/ashmap_large.jpg Cheers Luke Luke Smith Experimental Scientist Exploring and Maintaining Marine Biodiversity Australian Institute of Marine Science PO BOX 83 Fremantle Western Australia 6959 Ph (08) 9 433 4440 Fax (08) 9 433 4443 l.smith@aims.gov.au At 04:26 PM 17/01/2003 -0500, you wrote: Bleaching Alert - 14.02S, 121.85E - Scott Reef ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Scott Reef off the northwest shelf of Australia was one of the hardest hit reefs during the 1998 bleaching event, with reports of bleaching as deep as 30 meters. In our collaborations with the Australian Institute of Marine Science we note that due to a significant SST anomaly off the NW Australia, Scott Reef is once again (interestingly again during an El Nino) experiencing potentially high stress due to very hot water. It has currently accumulated 8.4 DHW (Degree Heating Weeks, see http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/dhw_news.html). This compares to 8 DHW for 1998. The big difference this year is that the apparent center of the SST anomaly causing this severe thermal stress is to the NW of Scott as opposed to the W and SW in 1998, also the 2003 SST anomaly is significantly cooler, but obviously closer to Scott Reef. This may imply that the accumulated heat is shallower than in 1998, but this can be only speculation at this stage. A more troublesome aspect of this anomaly is that it is very close to Ashmore Reef (approx. 10 km to the northeast) which is currently experiencing a DHW of more than 8. This compares to a maximum DHW of 6.5 for 1998. We expect that there has been significant bleaching on both reefs to date. AIMS plans a research cruise to Scott Reef mid-March 2003. NOAA's Coral Reef Watch Team -- **** <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* Alan E. Strong Team Leader, Marine Applications Science Team (MAST) Coral Reef Watch Project Coordinator Phys Scientist/Oceanographer NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/ORAD -- E/RA3 NOAA Science Center -- RM 711W 5200 Auth Road Camp Springs, MD 20746-4304 Alan.E.Strong@noaa.gov 301-763-8102 x170 FAX: 301-763-8572 http://orbit-net.nesdis.noaa.gov/orad Luke Smith Experimental Scientist Exploring and Maintaining Marine Biodiversity Australian Institute of Marine Science PO BOX 83 Fremantle Western Australia 6959 Ph (08) 9 433 4440 Fax (08) 9 433 4443 l.smith@aims.gov.au ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: library awards Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2003 16:05:03 -0000 From: "Peter J Mumby" To: > International Society for Reef Studies > Library Awards 2003 > > The International Society for Reef Studies invites any person involved > with coral reef studies, management and conservation to nominate an > institution for participation in their Library Awards scheme for 2003. > The scheme is intended to recognize and support institutions in developing > countries for their important contributions to coral reef studies, > conservation and management. > > What will award winners receive? > > Thanks to the generosity of their authors and publishers and a subsidy by > the Society, up to 10 institutions will receive copies of the following > publications: > > · Proceedings of the 9th International Coral Reef Symposium, Bali, > Indonesia, 2000 > · Corals of the world (3 volumes) By J.E.N. Veron and Mary > Stafford-Smith. > · Soft Corals and Sea Fans By K. Fabricius and P. Alderslade. A > comprehensive guide to the tropical shallow- water genera of the > Central-West Pacific, the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea > · Systema Porifera Edited by John Hooper and Rob van Soest. > · Dynamics of Coral Communities By Ronald H. Karlson. > · Perspectives on Coral Reefs By David Barnes (Editor). > · Three-year subscription to Coral Reefs (2003-5 incl.) > · Three-year subscription to Reef Encounter (2003-5 incl.) > > Who may nominate an institution for an award? > > · A member of the institute seeking an award· > · Any other person who can provide details > > How to make a nomination > > Nominate an institution in no more than 100 words, describing a) the > mission of the institution and the numbers of people who use it or are > part of it; b) the purpose for which the books would be used; and c) > arrangements that will ensure broad access to the books within the > institution for whom the books are requested. > > Send nominations to: > > ISRS Library Award Committee > C/- Dr Peter J Mumby > Corresponding Secretary, International Society for Reef Studies > > Marine Spatial Ecology Lab > School of Biological Sciences > Hatherly Laboratory > Prince of Wales Road > University of Exeter > Exeter > Devon > EX4 4PS > United Kingdom > > tel: + 44 (0)1392 263798 > fax: + 44 (0)1392 263700 > e-mail: p.j.mumby@exeter.ac.uk > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: winmail.dat winmail.dat Type: Notepad (application/x-unknown-content-type-Notepad.exe) Encoding: base64 Subject: 10 ICRS mini-symposia Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2003 16:05:03 -0000 From: "Peter J Mumby" To: Dear coral-listers As you know, the 10th International Coral Reef Symposium is fast approaching. The success of these symposia largely depends on the voluntary efforts of ISRS members who organise mini-symposia or provide presentations within mini-symposia. There are still opportunities to propose mini-symposia for Japan 2004 and on behalf of the ISRS, I'd like to encourage people to consider submitting mini-symposium titles and abstracts. Mini-symposia form the bulk of the conference programme and provide a great opportunity to focus attention on specific science and/or management themes relating to coral reefs. The dead-line for proposals is 30 January 2003. Please view the following website for further details and electronic submission or contact the Secretariat General, Hajime Kayanne (see below). http://www.plando.co.jp/icrs2004/ Hajime KAYANNE Department of Earth & Planetary Science, University of Tokyo Hongo, Tokyo 113-0033 Japan Tel: 81-3-5841-4573 Tel & Fax: 81-3-3814-6358 With best wishes Pete Dr Peter J Mumby Corresponding Secretary, ISRS Marine Spatial Ecology Lab School of Biological Sciences Hatherly Laboratory Prince of Wales Road University of Exeter Exeter Devon EX4 4PS UK tel: + 44 (0)1392 263798 fax: + 44 (0)1392 263700 e-mail: p.j.mumby@exeter.ac.uk ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Internat'l coral grants Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 09:56:36 -0500 From: "Eileen Alicea" To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov An opportunity for funding of international coral reef projects is now available through NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program, which was published in the Federal Register on Friday, January 17, 2003. The international grant information below is excerpted from the Federal Register, Vol. 68, No. 12 The Program Guidelines provide a general overview of the program, while the Fiscal Year 2003 Funding Guidance published in the Federal Register Vol. 68, No. 12, January 17, 2003 provides specific information on the eligibility, proposal content, etc., for each of the four international project categories included in this year’s funding. Both of the documents may be found at http://ipo.nos.noaa.gov/coralgrants.html. Applications for funding are DUE TO NOAA on March 14, 2003. Eligible Applicants Eligible applicants include all international, governmental, and non-governmental organizations, including the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Eligibility is also contingent upon whether activities undertaken with respect to the application would be consistent with any applicable conditions or restrictions imposed by the U.S. government. The International grant program has four project categories: (Please note that there is no category for coral reef monitoring this year) 1. Promote Watershed Management in Wider Caribbean Island Nations: The U.S. and its partners are launching the White Water to Blue Water Initiative presented at the World Summit on Sustainable Development. It is intended to help implement international agreements and programs, for example, the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, The Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (the Cartagena Convention) and its three protocols (including The Protocol concerning Pollution from Land-based Sources and Activities), and the International Coral Reef Initiative. Therefore, IPO will fund activities that implement best management practices that reduce or control runoff to near shore coral reef ecosystems in the Wider Caribbean; assess effectiveness of these management practices; engage stakeholders and government agencies in collaborative partnerships to implement these practices; and recommend a set of best management practices that can be applied to small island Caribbean systems. 2. Enhance Management Effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): NOAA has launched a strategic partnership with the World Conservation Union’s (IUCN) World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF)International to improve the management of MPAs by providing managers, planners and other decision makers with methods for assessing the effectiveness of MPA sites. Therefore, IPO will fund activities at coral MPA sites that are building an adaptive management and evaluation program and will conduct an assessment of management effectiveness in order to strengthen and achieve the site goals and objectives. 3. Encourage Regional Approaches to Further No-Take Marine Reserves in the Wider Caribbean and Southeast Asia: Through this program, IPO will fund regional level activities that benefit existing marine reserves in the Wider Caribbean and Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia shall be defined by Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Furthermore, proposed regional level activities must involve sites in two or more countries and address the needs of no-take marine reserves in the regions as identified in the WCPA - Marine Caribbean Regional Coordination Plan and the WCPA-Marine Southeast Asia Regional Action Plan. The plans with the priority themes can be found at http://ipo.nos.noaa.gov/coralgrants.html. 4. Promote Socio-Economic Monitoring in Coral Reef Management: Recognizing the importance of the human dimension, the GCRMN published The Socioeconomic Manual for Coral Reef Management, in partnership with NOAA, WCPA, and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), a guide to conducting socioeconomic assessments of reef user groups. As follow-up, the GCRMN, WCPA-Marine and NOAA are working with ICLARM, the University of West Indies and other partners in the regions to develop socioeconomic monitoring programs specific to Southeast Asia and the Wider Caribbean. These regional programs include three key phases: (1) development of SocMon, i.e., standardized, simple socioeconomic monitoring guidelines for each region; (2) socioeconomic training workshops for reef managers to learn how to conduct SocMon, specifically how to establish socioeconomic monitoring programs at their sites; and, (3) establishment of socioeconomic monitoring programs at participants’ coral reef management programs. Under this project category, IPO will fund phase three - the establishment of socioeconomic monitoring programs at coral reef sites in Southeast Asia and the Wider Caribbean. Proposals for such work in the Wider Caribbean must utilize the SocMon-Wider Caribbean Guidelines; and similarly, proposals for work in Southeast Asia must utilize the SocMon-Southeast Asia Guidelines. For the purpose of this project category, Southeast Asia shall be defined as Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Both sets of Guidelines can be found at http://ipo.nos.noaa.gov/coralgrants.html. Awards Awards will be: a. Watershed Management: Up to $75,000 b. Management Effectiveness: $20,000 - $40,000 c. Marine Reserves: $25,000 - $40,000 d. Socio-economic Monitoring: $15,000 - $25,000 Project start date should be Oct 1st 2003 with duration of 12-18 months. Matching contributions should be from non-US Federal sources. If an organization has no reasonable means to provide a match, please refer to Section VIII. Matching funds of the Program Guidelines Federal Register Notice at http://ipo.nos.noaa.gov/coralgrants.html for detailed instructions How to apply: Initial applications may be submitted by surface mail, e-mail, or Fax (301-713-4389). Submissions by e-mail are preferred. If submitting by surface mail, please include a copy of the initial application in electronic format on disk or CD and mail both to: David Kennedy, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Coordinator, Office of Response and Restoration, N/ORR, Room 10102, NOAA National Ocean Service, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Applications submitted by e-mail must be sent to coral.grants@noaa.gov with ATTENTION to International Coral Reef Conservation. Applications must be received by FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2003. NOAA will provide written notice of the final funding selection on or before September 30, 2003 For complete details on project categories and requirements, please refer to the 2003 Funding Guidance Federal Register Notice at http://ipo.nos.noaa.gov/coralgrants.html. (Sections pertinent to the International Coral Reef Conservation program are: pp.2513-14 up to Section I, Section VII, and Section VIII). For more information, please contact Eileen Alicea at eileen.alicea@noaa.gov or 301-713-3078 x218. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: job posting for marine and national parks manager Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 12:06:22 -0400 From: "St Eustatius Marine Park" To: , , , , , Apologies for cross-postings Kay Lynn Plummer, Manager/Director St. Eustatius National & Marine Parks Gallows Bay St. Eustatius Netherlands Antilles Office 599-318-2884 Fax 599-318-2913 semp@goldenrock.net POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT: National & Marine Parks Manager DESCRIPTION: The St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) manages the Statia Marine Park, the Quill National Park, and the Miriam C. Schmidt Botanical Garden. The Marine Park surrounds the island of St. Eustatius from the high water mark to 30 meters (100ft.) in depth. Two reserves within the Marine Park function to restore depleted fish populations and to protect marine biodiversity. The Quill National Park is a dormant volcano. The crater harbors an evergreen seasonal forest, which is similar to a tropical rainforest. The botanical garden is currently undergoing Phase One operations of a four-phase master plan. For more information about STENAPA and its missions, please visit our website at www.statiapark.org. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree (preferably a Masters) in marine biology, marine management, wildlife management, or a related field and at least two (2) years working experience in Marine Protected Area Management, Natural Resource Management, or related field. Excellent communicative skills required. Open Water Diver certification required. At least three (3) years experience navigating marine vessels. Must have a thorough command of the English language and some knowledge of Dutch. OTHER ASSETS: Experience coordinating volunteer programs; advanced computer skills; a working knowledge of botany and landscaping; trail systems/management experience; fundraising capabilities; promotional materials development experience. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: Participate in the design and implementation of research activities within the Marine Park; find funding to represent STENAPA, participate and deliver presentations at conferences and workshops internationally concerning Gulf and Caribbean fisheries and MPA management; provide advice to Government; supervise and manage a staff of three (3) and all associated activities; recruit and supervise volunteers from around the world; develop promotional materials for distribution; create management plans, work plans and manuals; write proposals for grant funding; coordinate work programs through local schools; coordinate and implement educational activities for local children and the community; establish and maintain all infrastructure related to STENAPA; perform any other duties as directed by the Board of STENAPA relevant to the management and development of the Parks. APPLICATION DETAILS: Interested and qualified persons should submit a cover letter, resume, and two (2) letters of reference (including contact information) electronically to semp@goldenrock.net. Interviews will be conducted with the successful candidates. Only successful applicants will be contacted. The deadline for receipt of all applications is Thursday, February 13, 2003. Correspondence must be addressed to: Kay Lynn Plummer, Manager/Director St. Eustatius National & Marine Parks Gallows Bay St. Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: International Institute for Rural Reconstruction Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 08:33:44 -0800 From: Reef Check Headquarters To: coral-list-daily@aoml.noaa.gov Hello, The International Institute for Rural Reconstruction in the Philippines has a 3-book set called Participatory Methods in Community Based Coastal Resource Management that they will sell you for about 10 bucks. IIRR has a website where you can order their books, and their email is iirr@cav.pworld.net.ph i helped write the books so i know they are very user friendly, having been written collectively by a group of people who use these methods all the time, working with communities. They have a sound scientific base but are geared / streamlined for community use. mangrove methods are in volume 3 but there is stuff in the other volumes on transect sampling methods that will be hopefully of use to you too. The mangrove chapters are: mangrove assessment and monitoring (using the transect plot technique) mangrove reforestation monitoring and: mangrove reforestation cheers, Irene Novaczek Subject: International grants Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 17:42:09 +0100 From: "Virginie Fruh" To: Eileen.Alicea@noaa.gov, coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Hi I'm looking for grants to fund a phd based in Indonesia concerning fangblennies as mimics of cleaner wrasse. Being a Swiss citizen (and therefore non-EU) makes it difficult to be eligible to many grants, but because I'll be enrolled in an English university, and that the project concerns animal behaviour and conservation, there must be some foundations out there for funding! So, if anyone has useful addresses, it would be delightfully appreciated! Best wishes for the new year, and thank you for your time, Virginie Fruh Virginie Fruh Ch. des Bruyères 14 1007 Lausanne Switzerland 021 601.30.40 076 443.51.02 v_fruh@hotmail.com Interested in marine biology? Scarborough Centre for Coastal Studies (SCCS) http://www.ccs.hull.ac.UK ----Original Message Follows---- From: "Eileen Alicea" To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Subject: Internat'l coral grants Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 09:56:36 -0500 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* --------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Internat'l coral grants Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 09:56:36 -0500 From: "Eileen Alicea" To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov An opportunity for funding of international coral reef projects is now available through NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program, which was published in the Federal Register on Friday, January 17, 2003. The international grant information below is excerpted from the Federal Register, Vol. 68, No. 12 The Program Guidelines provide a general overview of the program, while the Fiscal Year 2003 Funding Guidance published in the Federal Register Vol. 68, No. 12, January 17, 2003 provides specific information on the eligibility, proposal content, etc., for each of the four international project categories included in this year’s funding. Both of the documents may be found at http://ipo.nos.noaa.gov/coralgrants.html. Applications for funding are DUE TO NOAA on March 14, 2003. Eligible Applicants Eligible applicants include all international, governmental, and non-governmental organizations, including the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Eligibility is also contingent upon whether activities undertaken with respect to the application would be consistent with any applicable conditions or restrictions imposed by the U.S. government. The International grant program has four project categories: (Please note that there is no category for coral reef monitoring this year) 1. Promote Watershed Management in Wider Caribbean Island Nations: The U.S. and its partners are launching the White Water to Blue Water Initiative presented at the World Summit on Sustainable Development. It is intended to help implement international agreements and programs, for example, the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, The Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (the Cartagena Convention) and its three protocols (including The Protocol concerning Pollution from Land-based Sources and Activities), and the International Coral Reef Initiative. Therefore, IPO will fund activities that implement best management practices that reduce or control runoff to near shore coral reef ecosystems in the Wider Caribbean; assess effectiveness of these management practices; engage stakeholders and government agencies in collaborative partnerships to implement these practices; and recommend a set of best management practices that can be applied to small island Caribbean systems. 2. Enhance Management Effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): NOAA has launched a strategic partnership with the World Conservation Union’s (IUCN) World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF)International to improve the management of MPAs by providing managers, planners and other decision makers with methods for assessing the effectiveness of MPA sites. Therefore, IPO will fund activities at coral MPA sites that are building an adaptive management and evaluation program and will conduct an assessment of management effectiveness in order to strengthen and achieve the site goals and objectives. 3. Encourage Regional Approaches to Further No-Take Marine Reserves in the Wider Caribbean and Southeast Asia: Through this program, IPO will fund regional level activities that benefit existing marine reserves in the Wider Caribbean and Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia shall be defined by Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Furthermore, proposed regional level activities must involve sites in two or more countries and address the needs of no-take marine reserves in the regions as identified in the WCPA - Marine Caribbean Regional Coordination Plan and the WCPA-Marine Southeast Asia Regional Action Plan. The plans with the priority themes can be found at http://ipo.nos.noaa.gov/coralgrants.html. 4. Promote Socio-Economic Monitoring in Coral Reef Management: Recognizing the importance of the human dimension, the GCRMN published The Socioeconomic Manual for Coral Reef Management, in partnership with NOAA, WCPA, and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), a guide to conducting socioeconomic assessments of reef user groups. As follow-up, the GCRMN, WCPA-Marine and NOAA are working with ICLARM, the University of West Indies and other partners in the regions to develop socioeconomic monitoring programs specific to Southeast Asia and the Wider Caribbean. These regional programs include three key phases: (1) development of SocMon, i.e., standardized, simple socioeconomic monitoring guidelines for each region; (2) socioeconomic training workshops for reef managers to learn how to conduct SocMon, specifically how to establish socioeconomic monitoring programs at their sites; and, (3) establishment of socioeconomic monitoring programs at participants’ coral reef management programs. Under this project category, IPO will fund phase three - the establishment of socioeconomic monitoring programs at coral reef sites in Southeast Asia and the Wider Caribbean. Proposals for such work in the Wider Caribbean must utilize the SocMon-Wider Caribbean Guidelines; and similarly, proposals for work in Southeast Asia must utilize the SocMon-Southeast Asia Guidelines. For the purpose of this project category, Southeast Asia shall be defined as Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Both sets of Guidelines can be found at http://ipo.nos.noaa.gov/coralgrants.html. Awards Awards will be: a. Watershed Management: Up to $75,000 b. Management Effectiveness: $20,000 - $40,000 c. Marine Reserves: $25,000 - $40,000 d. Socio-economic Monitoring: $15,000 - $25,000 Project start date should be Oct 1st 2003 with duration of 12-18 months. Matching contributions should be from non-US Federal sources. If an organization has no reasonable means to provide a match, please refer to Section VIII. Matching funds of the Program Guidelines Federal Register Notice at http://ipo.nos.noaa.gov/coralgrants.html for detailed instructions How to apply: Initial applications may be submitted by surface mail, e-mail, or Fax (301-713-4389). Submissions by e-mail are preferred. If submitting by surface mail, please include a copy of the initial application in electronic format on disk or CD and mail both to: David Kennedy, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Coordinator, Office of Response and Restoration, N/ORR, Room 10102, NOAA National Ocean Service, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Applications submitted by e-mail must be sent to coral.grants@noaa.gov with ATTENTION to International Coral Reef Conservation. Applications must be received by FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2003. NOAA will provide written notice of the final funding selection on or before September 30, 2003 For complete details on project categories and requirements, please refer to the 2003 Funding Guidance Federal Register Notice at http://ipo.nos.noaa.gov/coralgrants.html. (Sections pertinent to the International Coral Reef Conservation program are: pp.2513-14 up to Section I, Section VII, and Section VIII). For more information, please contact Eileen Alicea at eileen.alicea@noaa.gov or 301-713-3078 x218. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 15:34:52 -0500 From: "Bill Millhouser" To: "coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov" The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking proposals from a broad array of governmental and non-governmental entities for projects that promote the conservation of coral reefs, both in the United States and abroad. Approximately $5.59 million ($5.24 million from NOAA, $350,000 from the Department of Interior) may be available through NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program, as authorized by the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. The Act authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, through the NOAA Administrator and subject to the availability of funds, to issue matching grants of financial assistance for broad-based coral reef conservation activities, consistent with the purposes of the Act. Pursuant to section 6403 of the Act, which establishes the Coral Reef Conservation (Grant) Program, NOAA published the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program Implementation Guidelines (Guidelines) in the Federal Register on April 19, 2002 (67 FR 19396). The Guidelines provide general Program criteria pursuant to that outlined in the Act and establish that specific funding guidance will be published once each year. The Guidelines can be found at http://ipo.nos.noaa.gov/coralgrantsdocs/CoralGuidelines02.pdf FY 20003 Funding Guidance, which was published in the Federal Register on January 17, 2003 (68 FR 2513), describes the specific Program categories for which proposals are being solicited, and their respective eligibility, evaluation, and selection criteria for both applicants and activities. The FY 03 Funding Guidance can be found at http://ipo.nos.noaa.gov/coralgrantsdocs/2003CORALFRN.pdf. In 2003, NOAA’s Guidance provides instructions on how to apply for funding under the following categories, each outlined with specific applicant and activity eligibility criteria: State and Territory Coral Reef Ecosystem Management; State and Territory Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring; Coral Reef Ecosystem Research; Projects to Improve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management Plans; General Coral Reef Conservation; and International Coral Reef Conservation Initial Applications are due to NOAA by March 14, 2003; please see the FY 03 Funding Guidance for specific application requirements. For general information on NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program, contact Bill Millhouser at bill.millhouser@noaa.gov. For specific information on the requierments for each category, plese consult the technical contacts listed on the first page of the FY 03 Funding guidance. For general information on NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program, contact Roger Griffis at roger.b.griffis@noaa.gov. Subject: Request for PROPOSALS: Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative Research Program Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 23:21:55 -1000 From: "HCRI Research Program" To: Subject: Glovers Reef Lab Director Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2003 16:53:11 +0300 From: coralReef Conservation To: WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY POSITION DESCRIPTION Station Manager, Contract Position Glovers Reef Marine Research Station, Belize (www.wcs.org/gloversreef) Position: The Wildlife Conservation Society seeks a Station Manager for its marine research station at Glovers Reef Atoll, Belize, Central America. WCS and the Government of Belize established the Glovers Reef Marine Research Station in the early 1990s with the mission of promoting the long-term conservation and management of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef through in-situ research, cooperative management, training and education. The station is situated on Middle Cay on the southeastern edge of the Glovers Reef atoll in the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Research is conducted at the station by visiting scientists throughout the year in disciplines as varied as marine biology, marine ecology, social science, anthropology, botany, and ornithology. The Station Manager is responsible for all day-to-day operations of the Glovers Reef Marine Research Station. This includes oversight of the research program (with input from other WCS staff), management of the station staff, hosting and scheduling researchers, maintaining station equipment, and maintaining excellent communication with the Marine Program Coordinator in Belize City, the central office of WCS, fellow residents of Glovers Reef atoll, and representatives of the Government of Belize and other organizations. The Station Manager reports to the Marine Program Coordinator in Belize. S/he consults regularly with the Director of WCS¹ Marine Conservation Programs headquarters in New York and works closely with WCS¹ Regional Coordinator for Mesoamerica and the Caribbean, located in Gainesville, Florida. Qualifications: As part of running a research station on a relatively remote island, it is essential that the Station Manager have a good working knowledge of boat operation, electrical systems, gas systems, motors, general mechanics, marine weather, first aid, and safety. A background in marine science, natural resource conservation and management, or natural sciences is strongly preferred. Ideally, a candidate will have knowledge of coral reef ecology and tropical marine fisheries science and an interest in marine or environmental education. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work with diverse groups of people in challenging situations required. As the Station¹s personnel manager, the Station Manager must be comfortable supervising a small staff living in close quarters on a remote island. The Manager should be comfortable communicating verbally and in writing via phone, fax, and email with WCS staff in Belize City, New York and Gainesville, Florida. Commitment to marine conservation required. The position is open to expatriates and Belizeans. Send resume and salary requirements via email to: rcerroni@wcs.org with subject heading: Station Manager. Your resume must be written in English (in Word format) and be attached to your email. Deadline: April 1, 2003 Tim McClanahan, PhD The Wildlife Conservation Society ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Corals for Kiddies? Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2003 19:39:17 -0500 From: coral-list admin To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Greetings, coralleros (as Judy Lang likes to say), I was thinking some of you might be able to help this lady's request. The answer would help me, too, because I don't often get a request through our CHAMP page for children this young. Thanks! Cheers, Jim -----Original Message----- From: Lorraine Beato Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2003 7:43 PM Subject: CHAMP Comment Form Submission I have a 3rd grade daughter who would like to get involved with the coral reefs and marine biology. Are there any kid friendly organizations which she can join or volunteer? We live in Georgia, but do go to Florida quite often. I would appreciate any suggestions you may have. Thanks! ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: GBR Bleaching Status Update Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2003 19:45:17 -0500 From: Paul Marshall To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov [Coral-List Admin Note: this message was unfortunately delayed.] The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, in conjunction with the Australian Institute of Marine Science and NOAA, are once again closely monitoring conditions on the Great Barrier Reef as summer progresses. Below is a summary of the latest coral bleaching status report. The full status report can be found on the GBRMPA web site: http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/science/bleaching/conditions_report.html ******** GBR Coral Bleaching Status Update - 14 January 2002 The news continues to be good in terms of coral bleaching risk for the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) this summer. Weather conditions remain relatively mild, with good cloud cover and persistent winds keeping sea temperatures at or below seasonal averages, despite El Nino conditions over much of eastern Australia. No significant coral bleaching has been reported to date from the Reef, and bleaching thresholds have not been reached at any key monitoring sites. This time last year, sea temperatures were 2-4 degrees C above current temperatures, resulting in the worst coral bleaching event ever recorded for the GBR. While the milder conditions this year are cause of some optimism, hot conditions leading to widespread coral bleaching in 1998 did not develop until the end of January. This suggests that there is still some potential for a coral bleaching event on the GBR in the months ahead, although the risk of an event as severe as last summer is now substantially reduced. A full report of the 2002 bleaching event can also be found on the GBRMPA web site: http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au. The GBRMPA, in conjunction with AIMS and NOAA, will continue to closely monitor and report on conditions on the Reef throughout summer. The GBRMPA welcomes any reports of coral bleaching. If you regularly visit a reef site, or you have seen bleaching on the reef, we would be grateful for your input to our Community Bleaching Assessment Program. For more information see the GBRMPA website or contact Jessica Hoey (jessicah@gbrmpa.gov.au). -- Dr Paul Marshall Research & Monitoring Co-ordination Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority PO Box 1379 Townsville QLD 4810 Australia email: p.marshall@gbrmpa.gov.au phone: 07 4750 0771 fax: 07 4772 6093 mobile:0428 889 812 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Mass coral spawning volunteers Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2003 21:21:51 -0500 From: "Gast Family" To: Are there any volunteer opportunities for experienced divers and naturalists during mass coral spawning events? Valerie Gast gast@characterlink.net Subject: Re: Corals for Kiddies? Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2003 09:10:46 EST From: SeanMaia@aol.com To: jch@aoml.noaa.gov, coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Jim, One possible resource for kids who are interested in environmental issues is 4-H. Yes, that's the same 4-H that is generally known for teaching kids how to raise cattle, chickens and hogs. In Florida, and probably other states, there are many counties that have 4-H marine clubs. 4-H is open to kids aged 5 to 18. Every county in Florida has a county extension office (often called the Agricultural center) and the 4-H office is usually located there. The national 4-H program has an Eco-Adventures type curriculum with projects and activities. The Florida 4-H program has existing (older) project books and resource guides; new ones are under development. Most of these project materials are geared towards ages 8+ (project books for the 5-7 age range are being developed in FL). As a Sea Grant extension agent, I work closely with the 4-H program in NE Florida and have been involved in revising some of their marine-related materials. 4-H also typically offers summer camp programs that are educational in nature. Hope this gives folks one avenue to explore.. Maia McGuire Sea Grant Extension Agent 3125 Agricultural Center Drive St. Augustine, FL 32092 904-824-4564 In a message dated 1/24/2003 7:50:16 PM Eastern Standard Time, jch@aoml.noaa.gov writes: Subject: question nitrates phosphates Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2003 18:42:28 -0400 From: "diannewilson" To: Anita at Noaa suggested a post this for consideration. I live on a small island in the Grenadines in the Caribbean. We are = seeing long black stringy algae covering reefs and choking it out. = Hoping the answer was in water testing we bought LaMotte phosphate and = nitrate test kits....our results are not as expected and we need help in = interpreting the data. Is there someone who would offer a little on = line help? We have the attention of the government and can likely stop = the cause, but we need to have credible information. Many thanks in advance, Dianne Wilson ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Fwd: petition. important. sign. Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2003 08:44:45 +0100 From: "Virginie Fruh" To: alisonimms@yahoo.com, Benhaywood@hotmail.com, ChuaT@anz.com, coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov, crowbar@lords.com, Darren.Petherick@defence.gov.au, dharshko@yahoo.com, evaabdulla78@hotmail.com, fins!!@bukid.cvis.net.ph, heidiabraham@hotmail.com, macca32_2000@yahoo.com, hogaholics@hotmail.com, ines.beck@accenture.com, jdelapraz@yahoo.com, jeni_fyfe@hotmail.com, jahsa@hotmail.com, johnwee@attglobal.net, katia.dazzi@serono.com, kristel.wuersten@serono.com, zwahlaur@students.hevs.ch, laurence.martin@serono.com, regina_dancing_queen@yahoo.co.uk, lenasheh@sltnet.lk, marlonqui@hotmail.com, nitesh@eureka.lk, philippe.chatellard@serono.com, pyrexqueen@hotmail.com, rbowen13@yahoo.com, simon_parker80@hotmail.com, stephane.Busso@serono.com, vertretung@can.rep.admin.ch, thomas_heeger@yahoo.com US Congress has authorized the President to go to war against Iraq. Please consider this an urgent request. UN Petition for Peace. Stand for Peace. Islam is not the Enemy. War is NOT the Answer. Today we are at a point of imbalance in the world and are moving toward what may be the beginning of a THIRD WORLD WAR. If you are against this possibility, the UN is gathering signatures in an effort to avoid a tragic world event. Please COPY (rather than Forward) this e-mail in a new message, sign at the end of the list, and send it to all the people whom you know. If you receive this list with more than 500 names signed, please send a copy of the message to: usa@un.int & president@whitehouse.gov Even if you decide not to sign, please consider forwarding the petition on instead of eliminating it. 1) Suzanne Dathe, Grenoble, France 2) Laurence COMPARAT, Grenoble, France 3) Philippe MOTTE, Grenoble, France 4) Jok FERRAND, Mont St. Martin, France 5) Emmanuelle PIGNOL, St Martin d'Heres, FRANCE 6) Marie GAUTHIER, Grenoble, FRANCE 7) Laurent VESCALO, Grenoble, FRANCE 8) Mathieu MOY, St Egreve, FRANCE 9) Bernard BLANCHET, Mont St Martin,FRANCE 10) Tassadite FAVRIE, Grenoble, FRANCE 11) Loic GODARD, St Ismier, FRANCE 12) Benedicte PASCAL, Grenoble, FRANCE 13) Khedaid! ja BENATIA, Grenoble, FRANCE 14) Marie-Therese LLORET, Grenoble,FRANCE 15) Benoit THEAU, Poitiers, FRANCE 16) Bruno CONSTANTIN, Poitiers, FRANCE 17) Christian COGNARD, Poitiers, FRANCE 18) Robert GARDETTE, Paris, FRANCE 19) Claude CHEVILLARD, Montpellier, FRANCE 20) gilles FREISS, Montpellier, FRANCE 21) Patrick AUGEREAU, Montpellier, FRANCE 22) Jean IMBERT, Marseille, FRANCE 23) Jean-Claude MURAT, Toulouse, France 24) Anna BASSOLS, Barcelona, Catalonia 25) Mireia DUNACH, Barcelona, Catalonia 26) Michel VILLAZ, Grenoble, France 27) Pages Frederique, Dijon, France 28) Rodolphe FISCHMEISTER,Chatenay-Malabry, France 29) Francois BOUTEAU, Paris, France 30) Patrick PETER, Paris, France 31) Lorenza RADICI, Paris, France 32) Monika Siegenthaler, Bern, Switzerland 33) Mark Philp, Glasgow, Scotland 34) Tomas Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden 35) Jonas Eriksson, Stockholm, Sweden 36) Karin Eriksson, Stockholm, Sweden 37) Ake Ljung, Stockholm, Sweden 38) Carina Sedlmayer, Stockholm, Sweden 39) Rebecca Uddman, Stockholm, Sweden 40) Lena Skog, Stockholm, Sweden 41) Micael Folke, Stockholm, Sweden 42) Britt-Marie Folke, Stockholm, Sweden 43) Birgitta Schuberth, Stockholm, Sweden 44) Lena Dahl, Stockholm, Sweden 45) Ebba Karlsson, Stockholm, Sweden 46) Jessica Carlsson, Vaxjo, Sweden 47) Sara Blomquist, Vaxjo, Sweden 48) Magdalena Fosseus, Vaxjo, Sweden 49) Charlotta Langner, Goteborg, Sweden 50) Andrea Egedal, Goteborg, Sweden 51) Lena Persson, Stockholm, Sweden 52) Magnus Linder, Umea ,Sweden 53) Petra Olofsson, Umea, Sweden 54) Caroline Evenbom, Vaxjo, Sweden 55) Asa Peterson, Grimes, Sweden 56) Jessica Bjork, Grimes, Sweden 57) Linda Ahlbom Goteborg, Sweden 58) Jenny Forsman, Boras, Sweden 59) Nina Gunnarson, Kinna, Sweden 60) Andrew Harrison, New Zealand 61) Bryre Murphy, New Zealand 62) Claire Lugton, New Zealand 63) Sara! h Thornton, New Zealand 64) Rachel Eade, New Zealand 65) Magnus Hjert, London, UK 67) Madeleine Stamvik, Hurley, UK 68) Susanne Nowlan, Vermont, USA 69) Lotta Svenby, Malmoe, Sweden 70) Adina Giselsson, Malmoe, Sweden 71) Anders Kullman, Stockholm, Sweden 72) Rebecka Swane, Stockholm, Sweden 73) Jens Venge, Stockholm, Sweden 74) Catharina Ekdahl, Stockholm, Sweden 75) Nina Fylkegard, Stockholm, Sweden 76) Therese Stedman, Malmoe, Sweden 77) Jannica Lund, Stockholm, Sweden 78) Douglas Bratt 79) Mats Lofstrom, Stockholm, Sweden 80) Li Lindstrom, Sweden 81) Ursula Mueller, Sweden 82) Marianne Komstadius, Stockholm, Sweden 83) Peter Thyselius, Stockholm, Sweden 84) Gonzalo Oviedo, Quito, Ecuador 85) Amalia Romeo, Gland, Switzerland 86) Margarita Restrepo, Gland, Switzerland 87) Eliane Ruster, Crans p.C., Switzerland 88) Jennifer Bischoff-Elder, Hong Kong 89) Azita Lashgari, Beirut, Lebanon 90) Khashayar Ostovany, New York, USA 91) Lisa L Miller, Reno NV 92) Danielle Avazian, Los Angeles, CA 93) Sara Risher,Los Angeles,Ca. 94) Melanie London, New York, NY 95) Susan Brownstein , Los Angeles, CA 96) Steven Raspa, San Francisco, CA 97) Margot Duane, Ross, CA 98) Natasha Darnall, Los Angeles, CA 99) Candace Brower, Evanston, IL 100) James Kjelland, Evanston, IL 101) Michael Jampole, Beach Park, IL, USA 102) Diane Willis, Wilmette, IL, USA 103) Sharri Russell, Roanoke, VA, USA 104) Faye Cooley, Roanoke, VA, USA 105) Celeste Thompson, Round Rock, TX, USA 106) Sherry Stang, Pflugerville, TX, USA 107) Amy J. Singer, Pflugerville, TX USA 108) Milissa Bowen, Austin, TX USA 109) Michelle Jozwiak, Brenham, TX USA 110) Mary Orsted, College Station, TX USA 111) Janet Gardner, Dallas, TX USA 112) Marilyn Hollingsworth, Dallas, TX USA 113) Nancy Shamblin, Garland. TX USA 114) K. M. Mullen, Houston, TX - USA 115) Noreen Tolma! n, Houston, Texas - USA 116) Laurie Sobolewski, Warren, MI 117) Kellie Sisson Snider, Irving Texas 118) Carol Currie, Garland, Garland Texas 119) John Snyder, Garland, TX USA 120) Elaine Hannan, South Africa 121) Jayne Howes, South Africa 122) Diane Barnes, Akron, Ohio 123) Melanie Dass Moodley, Durban, South Africa 124) Imma Merino, Barcelona, Catalonia 125) Toni Vinas, Barcelona, Catalonia 126) Marc Alfaro, Barcelona, Catalonia 127) Manel Saperas, Barcelona, Catalonia 128) Jordi Ribas Izquierdo, Catalonia 129) Naiana Lacorte Rodes, Catalonia 130) Joan Vitoria i Codina, Barcelona,Catalonia 131) Jordi Paris i Romia, Barcelona,Catalonia 132) Jordi Lagares Roset, Barcelona,Catalonia 133) Josep Puig Vidal, Barcelona,Catalonia 134) Marta Juanola i Codina, Barcelona,Catalonia 135) Manel de la Fuente i Colino,Barcelona,Catalonia 136) Gemma Belluda i Ventura, Barcelona,Catalonia 137) Victor Belluda i Ventur, Barcelona,Catalonia 138) MaAntonia Balletbo, Barcelona, Spain 139) Mireia Masdevall Llorens, Barcelona,Spain 140) Clara Planas, Barcelona, Spain 141) Fernando Labastida Gual, Barcelona,Spain 142) Cristina Vacarisas, Barcelona, Spain 143) Enric Llarch i Poyo, Barcelona, Catalonia 144) Rosa Escoriza Valencia, Barcelona,Catalonia 145) Silvia Jimenez, Barcelona, Catalonia 146) Maria Clarella, Barcelona, Catalonia 147) Angels Guimera, Barcelona, Catalonia 148) M.Carmen Ruiz Fernandez, Barcelona,Catalonia 149) Rufi Cerdan Heredia, Barcelona,Catalonia 150) M. Teresa Vilajeliu Roig, Barcelona,Catalonia 151) Rafel LLussa, Girona, Catalonia,Spain 152) Mariangels Gallego Ribo, Gelida,Catalonia 153) Jordi Cortadella, Gelida, Catalonia 154) Pere Botella, Barcelona, Catalonia(Spain) 155) Josefina Auladell Baulenas, Catalunya(Spain) 156) Empar Escoin Carceller, Catalunya(Spain) 157) Elisa Pla Soler, Catalunya (Spain) 158) Paz Morillo Bosch, Catalunya (S! pain) 159) Cristina Bosch Moreno, Madrid (Spain) 160) Marta Puertolas, Barcelona (Spain) 161) Elisa del Pino (Madrid) Spain 162) Joaquin Rivera (Madrid) Spain 163) Carmen Barral (Madrid) Spain 164) Carmen del Pino (Madrid) Spain 165) Diana Ariane Bender (Munich) Germany 166) Annabelle Livingston (London) England 167) Lindsay Taylor (London) England 168) Amy Morgan (London) England 169) Liam Farrell (London) England 170) Damian Tow (London) 180) Michael Hayward (Nottingham) England 181) Jyoti Jackson-Baker (Bristol) England 182) Frazer Waller ( Milton Keynes ) England 183) Tamara Schreiber (Tel Aviv) Israel 184) Dan Goldenblatt (Tel Aviv) Israel 185) Ilan Goldenblatt (Gabriola Island, B.C.) Canada 186) Fiona Chitty (Gabriola Island, B.C.) Canada 187) Elke Barczak (Tokyo) Japan 188) Joe McCunney (Tokyo) Japan 189) Aaron Beutel (Nagoya) Japan 190) Marta Truno i Salvado, Barcelona,Catalonia 191) Zanni Waldstein, (Melbourne) Australia 192) Sally-Anne Levy, London, England 193) Patricia Fletcher, Melbourne, Australia 194) Margot Wilson, Melbourne, Australia 195) Matthew Baker, Melbourne, Australia 196) Liz Shepherd, Melbourne, Australia 197) Nicole Jordain, Melbourne, Australia 198) Stacey Farrell, Mt Maunganui, New Zealand 199) Chantelle Laurent, Mt Maunganui, New Zealand 200) Kristy Bamfield, Hamilton, new Zealand 201) Jim Morrogh, Auckland, New Zealand 202) Carola McCarthy, Orewa, New Zealand 203) Aidan Halligan, Auckland, New Zealand 203) Mike McCarthy, Orewa, New Zealand 204) Kirk Harding, Brooklyn, New York 205) Juliette Chisholm, New York, New York 206) David Hollely, Brooklyn , New York 207) April Reigart Philadelphia, PA USA 208) Sami El-Hajjeh, On, Canada 209) Amy Sharp, St. Catharines, ON Canada 210) Monika Schmuck, Stoney Creek, ON, Canada 211) Jasbir Brar, Stoney Creek, ON, Canada 212) Miriam Inparajah, Toronto, ON, ! Canada 213) Claudia Ezraeelian, London England. 214) Shehan Lena, Manchester, England 215) Virginie Fruh, Lausanne, Switzerland 216) Mathias Holzer, Lausanne, Switzerland 217) Céline Holzer, Lausanne, Switzerland 218) Johanna Harley, Lausanne, Switzerland 219) Dean Harley, Lausanne, Switzerland 220) Marianne Fruh, Lausanne, Switzerland 221) Johan Fruh, Lausanne, Switzerland Virginie Fruh Ch. des Bruyères 14 1007 Lausanne Switzerland 021 601.30.40 076 443.51.02 v_fruh@hotmail.com Interested in marine biology? Scarborough Centre for Coastal Studies (SCCS) http://www.ccs.hull.ac.UK ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Inappropriate postings Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2003 06:52:41 -0500 From: Jim Hendee To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov This listserver is not a forum for political discussions or for posting commercially-oriented messages. Also, once you post something like this, others might be temped to discuss it further through this list. I must now moderate the list, which makes it tougher on everyone, so my apologies ahead of time to those of you who may have your posting delayed. Not-so-happily yours, Jim Hendee coral-list administrator Virginie Fruh wrote: > US Congress has authorized the President to go to war against Iraq. > Please > consider this an urgent request. > > ...blah, blah, blah.... > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Need information on carrying capacity Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 10:32:53 -0500 From: "Pedro Alcolado" To: Dear Coral lister, I need to get information about other papers than Hawskin's and Roberts' = (1997) about carrying capacity in coral reef diving. I am participating = in the elaboration of tourist diving regulations, and so far I have = Haskin's and Roberts' figures of 5000-6000 divers/site/year. I think it = would be good a figure for begining that could be revised an adjusted = after subsequent monitoring, but I would like to know about other = alternative numbers. I would appreciate to receive that information, as = well as any relevant comment on the issue. Cheers, Pedro ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Reproduction of Porites lutea Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 10:33:53 -0500 From: "James Rolfe Guest" To: Dear coral-list, I am working on the reproductive cycle of the scleractinian coral Porites lutea in Singapore. Most of the colonies I have sampled are mature in April and/or May and I think that spawning occurs in those months after the full moon (although I haven't witnessed spawning of this species yet). I would be interested to make comparisons of the timing of spawning of this species in Singapore with other coral reef locations. Does anyone know of any publications (other than those listed below) or has any anecdotal evidence of spawning in P. lutea in any other location? The publications which include reproduction of P. lutea that I have so far are: Harriott VJ (1983) Reproductive Ecology of Four Scleractinian Species at Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef. Coral Reefs 2:9-18 Kojis BL & Quinn NJ (1981) Reproductive Strategies in Four Species of Porites (Scleractinia). Proc 4th Int Coral Reef Symp 2:145-151 Marshall SM & Stephenson TA (1933) The Breeding of Reef Animals I. The Corals. The Great Barrier Reef Expedition 1928-29. Sci Rep 3:219-245 Babcock RC et al (1986) Synchronous Spawning of 105 Scleractinian Coral Species on the GBR. Mar Biol. 90:379-384 Heyward AJ (1989) Reproductive Status of Some Guam Corals. Micronesica 21:272 I look forward to hearing from you. Cheers, James Guest Research Scholar Department of Biological Sciences National University of Singapore Blk S2 14 Science Drive 4 Singapore 117543 Tel: +65 68746867 E-mail: scip9051@nus.edu.sg ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: recovery/erosion Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 10:34:55 -0500 From: "Emily Hardman" To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Dear All, As part of my PhD I am investigating the after-effects of a coral bleaching event in Rodrigues (Indian Ocean) by looking at coral recovery (new recruitment) and bioerosion. Would anyone please be able to recommend some good guides for identifying coral recruits, at least down to genus level, and also for identifying internal macro-boring organisms commonly found in Indo-Pacific branching coral rubble? Thank you very much for your help, Emily Hardman ------------------------------ Emily Hardman Tropical Ecology Group, School of Ocean Sciences, University of Wales Bangor, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB UK Tel: +44 (0) 1248 382 863 E-mail: osp829@bangor.ac.uk ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Re: question nitrates phosphates Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 18:20:45 -0500 From: Debbie MacKenzie To: "diannewilson" CC: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Hello Dianne, coral-list, At 06:42 PM 25/01/2003 -0400, you wrote: >Anita at Noaa suggested a post this for consideration. > >I live on a small island in the Grenadines in the Caribbean. We are = >seeing long black stringy algae covering reefs and choking it out. = >Hoping the answer was in water testing we bought LaMotte phosphate and = >nitrate test kits....our results are not as expected I'm curious: what did you expect to find (and why?) and what did you actually find? Were you expecting to find elevated nutrient levels? (This is my first guess, since it is routinely thought to be an important cause of increased algae growth these days.) I can't help you in the specifics of discussing exactly what is growing on your reefs, but am interested in your observations. The increasing dominance of marine algae, especially fine or filamentous forms, is a very broad pattern that seems to be occurring in marine environments virtually everywhere now. I am not convinced (although many are) that this change is basically a reflection of an increasing availability of plant nutrients in coastal waters. (Besides increasing nutrient availability, declining populations of herbivores are also sometimes suspected, and doubtless this plays a role...but it is the effect of changing nutrient dynamics on the algae that interests me the most.) The pattern of declining populations of marine invertebrates and their replacement by algal growths is also strongly evident in temperate zones. In my area, Atlantic Canada, we have no shallow water coral reefs but there has been a marked decline in coastal sessile invertebrates (barnacles, mussels...roughly analogous to your corals). Unpolluted areas that were once dominated by barnacles and mussels now predominantly support seaweed. (e.g. see http://www.fisherycrisis.com/barnacles.html ) And within the established seaweed communities there is a marked shift away from the long-dominant, heavier perennial species toward shorter lived algae with much finer structures. The automatic interpretation of this changing appearance of seaweed seems to be that this new, elaborate algal growth must have resulted from an increasing availability of plant nutrients (from pollution). To some, it seems cut and dried. But the signals from the long-established, older, heavier seaweeds as they decline strongly suggest that these plants are experiencing a lowered, rather than an increased, availability of nutrients. Stunted growth, lowered levels of pigmentation, lowered resistance to environmental stressors such as light, heat and dessication...these patterns are visible in all of the typical large seaweed groups in my area. And the increased growth of filamentous algae is dramatic, indeed it also gives the impression that it might be "choking out" the others. (I have a collection of photos on my website, several galleries are linked from this page: http://www.fisherycrisis.com/Galleries/weedgallery.htm ) I have been puzzled at the quick conclusion that commonly seems to be made that the increase in filamentous algae has been stimulated by an increase in nutrient availability. The filamentous growth style, with its relatively high surface area:volume ratio, gives these organisms a natural advantage over the thicker-fleshed algae under conditions where nutrient availability is lowered. Maybe at some level the interpretive difficulty is related to our (subconscious?) comparison of seaweeds to terrestrial plants. It is commonly known that applying fertilizer to a vegetable garden results in a more lush, elaborate growth of plants. So, when we witness an increasingly elaborate growth of seaweed, is this partly why we assume that it must be the result of increased fertilization? But when we view the vegetable garden, we are generally only seeing the "tops" of the plants (stalks, leaves, fruits, etc, responsible for photosynthesis and energy storage) as the "roots" (oft-filamentous tissues responsible for uptake of dissolved nutrients) are invisible. In terrestrial plants, "tops" and "roots" do not respond to fertilizer in the same way. Agricultural research has shown that, when well fertilized, the root:top ratio of plants (for example, corn) declines. Relatively more elaborate root development occurs in the fertilizer-poor plot, and roots then make up a greater fraction of the total mass of the plant. (And this type of plasticity is not at all surprising.) At first glance, seaweeds may well remind us of the "tops" of terrestrial plants, but what is waving in the water column is in fact analogous to both the "tops" and the "roots" of the cornfield. Viewed in this light, today's proliferation of filamentous marine algae (more "root"-like types) and decline in heavier in heavier, fleshy species (more "top"-like) should raise the suspicion that one fundamental change that is occurring in the oceans is a decline in the availability of plant nutrients. (One may also imagine the corals as being more essentially like "tops" than "roots"...) Dianne, it may seem as if I have strayed rather far from your initial question, but the matter of discovering the true relationship between trends in fertilizer availability and growth changes in marine algae is a hugely important one. Thanks for raising it. Debbie MacKenzie http://www.fisherycrisis.com ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: ReefEd launch - www.reefed.edu.au Date: Thu, 30 Jan 2003 08:34:43 -0500 From: To: Angela Colliver , "coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov" , Aquatic Information Listserve Dear All, on behalf of our education manager, Angela Colliver, I would like to let you know that ReefED - the latest reef education portal of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has been launched by the Australian Federal Environment Minister Dr. David Kemp today. ReefED is the world's largest on-line, curriculum based, interactive resource about the Great Barrier Reef. It offers : · Outcome focussed teaching resources linked explicitly to Key Learning Areas and Australian State Curriculum Frameworks · GBR Explorer – a comprehensive encyclopaedia of the Great Barrier Reef - fantastic for assignments · On-line action based participation activities such as Reef Guardians Schools program · On-line lesson plans · Reef videos · Images · Video conferencing – students can speak to a diver underwater; · Video streaming and Internet The ReefED web site is powered by the BoaB Content Manager, a product of WWd. The BoaB Content Manager is a database driven web site management system, that allows ReefED staff to fully manage the web site by changing text, creating new pages and sections, uploading images, electronic download files and much more. With a short introduction, new staff can be given access to specific sections, with specific access privileges such as creating content, reviewing content or making pages live. “BoaB is ideal for organizations and companies which have high volumes of information they want to publish on their web site. By simplifying the updating process, the BoaB system allows a client to keep a web site always up-to-date without ongoing expenses.“ www.reefed.edu.au For further information please contact Angela Colliver under angelac @gbrmpa.gov.au. Cheers, Kirsten -- Dr. Kirsten Michalek-Wagner Biologist Coral Reef Ecosystems ReefHQ Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority 2-68 Flinders Street, Townsville, Qld. 4810 Australia phone: 07 4750 0876 fax: 07 4772 5281 email: kirstenm@gbrmpa.gov.au "For myself, I am an optimist. It does not seem to be much use being anything else." Sir Winston Churchill http://www.reefhq.org.au ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Addresses Date: Thu, 30 Jan 2003 08:36:43 -0500 From: "Tanga Coast Zone" To: Dear Coral listers, Can anyone help me with the e-mail addresses of: Dr. Alec Dawson Shephard and Dr. Tom van 't Hof Thanks a lot Eric Verheij e-mail: tangacoast@kaributanga.com ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Carrying capacity, etc. Date: Thu, 30 Jan 2003 08:36:43 -0500 From: "Patrick Scaps" To: Dear Pedro, You will find informations concerning carrying capacity in coral reef diving in the following papers: Schleyer M.H., Tomalin B.J. 2000. Damage on south african coral reefs and an assessment of their sustainable diving capacity using a fisheries approach. Bull. Mar. Sci. 67(3): 1025-1042. Davis D., Tisdell C. 1995. Recreational scuba-diving and acrrying capacity in marine protected areas. Ocean & Coastal Management. 26(1) : 19-40. Zakai D., Chadwick-Furman N.E. 2002. Impacts of intensive recreational diving on reef corals at Eilat, northern Red Sea. Biol. Conser. 105: 179-187. Harriott V, Davis D, Banks S. 1997. Recreational diving and its impact in marine protected areas in Eastern Australia. Ambio. 26: 173-179. Dixon J.A, Scura LF, van't Hof T. 1993. Meeting ecological and economic goals: marine parks in the Caribbean. Ambio. 22: 117-125. Chadwick-Furman, N.E., 1997. Effects of SCUBA diving on coral reef invertebrates in the US Virgin Islands: implications for the management of diving tourism. In: den Hartog, J.C. (ed), Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Coelenterate Biology, Nationaal Naturhistorisch Museum., pp. 91-100. Sincerely yours, Dr. SCAPS Patrick Ph D Marine Biology Laboratory of Numerical Ecology and Ecotoxicology University of Sciences and Technologies of Lille 59 655 Villeneuve d'Ascq Cédex FRANCE Tel: 33 0320436517 E-mail: patrick.scaps@univ-lille1.fr ----- Original Message ----- From: "coral-list-daily" To: Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 7:05 AM Subject: coral-list-daily V3 #20 > > coral-list-daily Wednesday, January 29 2003 Volume 03 : Number 020 > > > > Need information on carrying capacity > Reproduction of Porites lutea > recovery/erosion > Re: question nitrates phosphates > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 10:32:53 -0500 > From: "Pedro Alcolado" > Subject: Need information on carrying capacity > > Dear Coral lister, > > I need to get information about other papers than Hawskin's and Roberts' > = > (1997) about carrying capacity in coral reef diving. I am participating > = > in the elaboration of tourist diving regulations, and so far I have = > Haskin's and Roberts' figures of 5000-6000 divers/site/year. I think it > = > would be good a figure for begining that could be revised an adjusted = > after subsequent monitoring, but I would like to know about other = > alternative numbers. I would appreciate to receive that information, as > = > well as any relevant comment on the issue. > > Cheers, > Pedro > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 10:33:53 -0500 > From: "James Rolfe Guest" > Subject: Reproduction of Porites lutea > > Dear coral-list, > > I am working on the reproductive cycle of the scleractinian coral > Porites lutea in Singapore. Most of the colonies I have sampled are > mature in April and/or May and I think that spawning occurs in those > months after the full moon (although I haven't witnessed spawning of > this species yet). I would be interested to make comparisons of the > timing of spawning of this species in Singapore with other coral reef > locations. Does anyone know of any publications (other than those listed > below) or has any anecdotal evidence of spawning in P. lutea in any > other location? > > The publications which include reproduction of P. lutea that I have so > far are: > > Harriott VJ (1983) Reproductive Ecology of Four Scleractinian Species at > Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef. Coral Reefs 2:9-18 > > Kojis BL & Quinn NJ (1981) Reproductive Strategies in Four Species of > Porites (Scleractinia). Proc 4th Int Coral Reef Symp 2:145-151 > > Marshall SM & Stephenson TA (1933) The Breeding of Reef Animals I. The > Corals. The Great Barrier Reef Expedition 1928-29. Sci Rep 3:219-245 > > Babcock RC et al (1986) Synchronous Spawning of 105 Scleractinian Coral > Species on the GBR. Mar Biol. 90:379-384 > > Heyward AJ (1989) Reproductive Status of Some Guam Corals. Micronesica > 21:272 > > I look forward to hearing from you. > > Cheers, > > James Guest > > Research Scholar > Department of Biological Sciences > National University of Singapore > Blk S2 14 Science Drive 4 > Singapore 117543 > Tel: +65 68746867 > E-mail: scip9051@nus.edu.sg > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 10:34:55 -0500 > From: "Emily Hardman" > Subject: recovery/erosion > > Dear All, > > As part of my PhD I am investigating the after-effects of a coral > bleaching event in Rodrigues (Indian Ocean) by looking at coral > recovery (new recruitment) and bioerosion. > > Would anyone please be able to recommend some good guides for > identifying coral recruits, at least down to genus level, and also for > identifying internal macro-boring organisms commonly found in > Indo-Pacific branching coral rubble? > > Thank you very much for your help, > > Emily Hardman > > - ------------------------------ > Emily Hardman > Tropical Ecology Group, > School of Ocean Sciences, > University of Wales Bangor, > Menai Bridge, > Anglesey, > LL59 5AB > UK > > Tel: +44 (0) 1248 382 863 > E-mail: osp829@bangor.ac.uk > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 18:20:45 -0500 > From: Debbie MacKenzie > Subject: Re: question nitrates phosphates > > Hello Dianne, coral-list, > > At 06:42 PM 25/01/2003 -0400, you wrote: > >Anita at Noaa suggested a post this for consideration. > > > >I live on a small island in the Grenadines in the Caribbean. We are = > >seeing long black stringy algae covering reefs and choking it out. = > >Hoping the answer was in water testing we bought LaMotte phosphate and = > >nitrate test kits....our results are not as expected > > I'm curious: what did you expect to find (and why?) and what did you > actually find? Were you expecting to find elevated nutrient levels? > (This > is my first guess, since it is routinely thought to be an important > cause > of increased algae growth these days.) > > I can't help you in the specifics of discussing exactly what is growing > on > your reefs, but am interested in your observations. > > The increasing dominance of marine algae, especially fine or filamentous > forms, is a very broad pattern that seems to be occurring in marine > environments virtually everywhere now. I am not convinced (although many > are) that this change is basically a reflection of an increasing > availability of plant nutrients in coastal waters. (Besides increasing > nutrient availability, declining populations of herbivores are also > sometimes suspected, and doubtless this plays a role...but it is the > effect > of changing nutrient dynamics on the algae that interests me the most.) > > The pattern of declining populations of marine invertebrates and their > replacement by algal growths is also strongly evident in temperate > zones. > In my area, Atlantic Canada, we have no shallow water coral reefs but > there > has been a marked decline in coastal sessile invertebrates (barnacles, > mussels...roughly analogous to your corals). Unpolluted areas that were > once dominated by barnacles and mussels now predominantly support > seaweed. > (e.g. see http://www.fisherycrisis.com/barnacles.html ) And within the > established seaweed communities there is a marked shift away from the > long-dominant, heavier perennial species toward shorter lived algae with > much finer structures. The automatic interpretation of this changing > appearance of seaweed seems to be that this new, elaborate algal growth > must have resulted from an increasing availability of plant nutrients > (from > pollution). To some, it seems cut and dried. > > But the signals from the long-established, older, heavier seaweeds as > they > decline strongly suggest that these plants are experiencing a lowered, > rather than an increased, availability of nutrients. Stunted growth, > lowered levels of pigmentation, lowered resistance to environmental > stressors such as light, heat and dessication...these patterns are > visible > in all of the typical large seaweed groups in my area. And the increased > growth of filamentous algae is dramatic, indeed it also gives the > impression that it might be "choking out" the others. (I have a > collection > of photos on my website, several galleries are linked from this page: > http://www.fisherycrisis.com/Galleries/weedgallery.htm ) > > I have been puzzled at the quick conclusion that commonly seems to be > made > that the increase in filamentous algae has been stimulated by an > increase > in nutrient availability. The filamentous growth style, with its > relatively > high surface area:volume ratio, gives these organisms a natural > advantage > over the thicker-fleshed algae under conditions where nutrient > availability > is lowered. > > Maybe at some level the interpretive difficulty is related to our > (subconscious?) comparison of seaweeds to terrestrial plants. It is > commonly known that applying fertilizer to a vegetable garden results in > a > more lush, elaborate growth of plants. So, when we witness an > increasingly > elaborate growth of seaweed, is this partly why we assume that it must > be > the result of increased fertilization? > > But when we view the vegetable garden, we are generally only seeing the > "tops" of the plants (stalks, leaves, fruits, etc, responsible for > photosynthesis and energy storage) as the "roots" (oft-filamentous > tissues > responsible for uptake of dissolved nutrients) are invisible. In > terrestrial plants, "tops" and "roots" do not respond to fertilizer in > the > same way. Agricultural research has shown that, when well fertilized, > the > root:top ratio of plants (for example, corn) declines. Relatively more > elaborate root development occurs in the fertilizer-poor plot, and roots > then make up a greater fraction of the total mass of the plant. (And > this > type of plasticity is not at all surprising.) > > At first glance, seaweeds may well remind us of the "tops" of > terrestrial > plants, but what is waving in the water column is in fact analogous to > both > the "tops" and the "roots" of the cornfield. Viewed in this light, > today's > proliferation of filamentous marine algae (more "root"-like types) and > decline in heavier in heavier, fleshy species (more "top"-like) should > raise the suspicion that one fundamental change that is occurring in the > oceans is a decline in the availability of plant nutrients. (One may > also > imagine the corals as being more essentially like "tops" than > "roots"...) > > Dianne, it may seem as if I have strayed rather far from your initial > question, but the matter of discovering the true relationship between > trends in fertilizer availability and growth changes in marine algae is > a > hugely important one. Thanks for raising it. > > Debbie MacKenzie > http://www.fisherycrisis.com > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > > ------------------------------ > > End of coral-list-daily V3 #20 > ****************************** > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: carrying capacity Date: Thu, 30 Jan 2003 12:12:51 -0400 From: kdm@bonairelive.com To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Following Pedro Alcalado 's recent request for information on carrying capacity, I wanted to let you know that The Coral Reef Alliance has a fact sheet covering this topic. It has been written with Coral Park practitioners in mind and includes a basic overview of the topic, methods which have been used to determine carrying capacity, management recommendations and a list of key references. It is available on request as a .pdf document (for which you will need Acrobat Reader) and is a 196KB file. Please contact myself (kdm@coral.org) or info@coral.org to request a copy. Kalli De Meyer ************************************ Kalli De Meyer The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) Bonaire Branch Office Kaya Madrid 3A Sabana Bonaire. Dutch Caribbean ************************************ tel: 599-717-3465 email: kdm@coral.org web site: http:\\www.coral.org ************************************ ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Diadema die off - another reference Date: Thu, 30 Jan 2003 16:41:51 -0500 From: "Jim Bohnsack" To: coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov CC: eshinn@usgs.gov, rbak@nioz.nl, lessiosh , szmanta@uncwil.edu, Alan.E.Strong@noaa.gov In the various discussions, I did not see the following reference mentioned concerning the cause of the Caribbean Diadema die off in 1983. Bauer, J.C. and C.J. Agerter. 1987. Isolation of bacteria pathogenic for the sea urchin Diadema antillarum (Echinodermata: Echinoidea). Bull. Mar. Sci. 40(1): 161-165. It provides evidence that an anaerobic bacteria Clostridium was the responsible agent. I believe this study was able to satisfy all but one of Koch's postulates. The last one can not be tested because no known specimen that actually died in the kill was preserved by freezing. Also, I vaguely rember (i.e. I can not verify) someone mentioning that this kill occurred just after Panama started preventing ships from releasing ballast water and other discharges in the Panama Canal. Presumably, cruise ships that held sewage in tanks while crossing the Isthmus would have plenty of opportunity to build up anoxic conditions in their tanks and large abundance of Clostridium. If there is any merit to this hypothesis, I hope everyone appreciates the irony of having one regulation designed to prevent environmental damage (i.e. protect water quality in the Panama Canal) causing great damage elsewhere. REF: > Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 10:08:33 -0500 > From: Gene Shinn > Subject: Dust and other Hypotheses > > TimesDear Coral Listers, > > Since there has been so much discussion of the African dust > hypothesis on the list in recent weeks, I could resist responding no > longer. First, the experiments proposed by Jim Hendee to test African > dust effects on corals are similar to ones I have been proposing for at > least 5 years. Unfortunately, there is little funding to do such work. > In addition, the USGS does not have in place the dust collectors you > mention. We sample for microbes using very small samples and collection > requires only 10-to-15 minutes. We do no routine monitoring but would > if we could. There is no funding for the large expensive samplers > needed to provide enough sample for the experiments Jim proposed. > Secondly, the major problem with finding the Diadema pathogen is that > the pathogen that first killed them has not been identified so we do > not know what to look for. It would be possible, however, to test > living Diadema against those microbes that have been cultured from dust > thus far. > > I thank Lessios for answering Alina's question regarding survival > of West African Diadema. I did not have an answer as elegant as his. I > could only suggest that Diadema living so close to the source, like the > humans and the Siderastera sp. that survive there, long ago adapted and > those that didn't died. Lessios also makes some very valid points > regarding water transport of the unknown pathogen. We accept that the > Diadema die-off began near the Panama Canal (Lessios et al., 1984, > Science, 226:335-337). We also point out that the die-off began in > winter when African dust impacts the southern Caribbean, South America > and the Panama region and it was also the dustiest year since Prospero > began monitoring dust in 1965. The upper Caribbean is impacted later > during the summer months. Like Lessios, we believe water transport is > very important. How else would it infect Diadema in aquaria (I assume > we are talking running seawater aquaria)? Once the Caribbean basin is > impacted as shown in the NOAA satellite image in our 4-page info sheet > in our website, water currents likely complete the distribution of any > pathogens delivered from the air. Areas downcurrent, such as, Belize > and Florida, were impacted by the disease after Panama. What has > concerned us, however, is how did the pathogen later move hundreds of > miles against the Caribbean Current to reach the Lesser Antilles? Dust > contamination of the Atlantic seaward of the Antilles and then > transport downcurrent to the Antilles seems a reasonable possibility. > There is nothing between the Antilles and Africa, and both the wind and > the currents move toward the Antilles. More recent studies conducted by > microbiologists at our office show that microbial species in dust can > change drastically within 30 minutes. Don't expect a dust cloud to > deliver the same microbes everywhere at the same time. > > My main point is that the dust hypothesis is just that, an > hypothesis, as are the other proposed causes of Diadema and coral > death. The ballast-water origin is an unproven hypothesis, as are the > other "usual suspects" that drive coral research funding. This latter > point gets back to what Jim pointed out a week earlier regarding the > emotional "pollution" word. Where is the original basic research > demonstrating the degree of damage done to corals by the "usual > suspects," oil spills, sewage, sedimentation, and mosquito spraying, to > name a few? We seem to have skipped over the basics and then let > assumptions and emotion guide our research and funding agencies. > > Best Wishes, Gene > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Re: Corals for Kiddies? Date: Thu, 30 Jan 2003 16:43:52 -0500 From: Tracy Grogan To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov This might be a roundabout way of getting an answer, but maybe you could contact the administrator of SSI's Scuba Ranger program. They train kids to dive at the age of 8 and I suspect that whoever runs that program is probably clued into other programs for kids in that age group. They can be reached at Scuba Ranger Headquarters at 970-221-2813 or email at sales@ScubaRangers.com. I'd be interested in learning what you find out. I believe that by educating children we gain our greatest influence on parents...especially in the area of consumption of non-sustainable fish. Outreach programs to youngsters are, I believe, our best hope for long-term behavior changes. Cheers, Tracy At 07:39 PM 1/24/2003 -0500, you wrote: Greetings, coralleros (as Judy Lang likes to say), I was thinking some of you might be able to help this lady's request. The answer would help me, too, because I don't often get a request through our CHAMP page for children this young. Thanks! Cheers, Jim -----Original Message----- From: Lorraine Beato Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2003 7:43 PM Subject: CHAMP Comment Form Submission I have a 3rd grade daughter who would like to get involved with the coral reefs and marine biology. Are there any kid friendly organizations which she can join or volunteer? We live in Georgia, but do go to Florida quite often. I would appreciate any suggestions you may have. Thanks! ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: RE: Corals for Kiddies? Date: Thu, 30 Jan 2003 16:45:54 -0500 From: "paul.sikkel" To: ruinraine@aol.com CC: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Lorraine -- Sea Camp in Florida, Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI) in Southern California, and the Virgin Islands Environmental Resource Station (VIERS), through Clean Islands International on St.John all run programs for kids. They do accommodate elementary school kids, but I don't know the specific range of ages. There is a marine biologist in your area who also has a young daughter. He may be able to provide you with info. on programs in central Georgia. His name is Dr. Jim Battey and he can be reached at jbattey@uvi.edu. You might also contact the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, not far from the Georgia border. Paul Sikkel Dept. of Biology Murray State University Murray, KY ===== Original Message From coral-list admin ===== >Greetings, coralleros (as Judy Lang likes to say), > > I was thinking some of you might be able to help this lady's request. >The answer would help me, too, because I don't often get a request >through our CHAMP page for children this young. > > Thanks! > Cheers, > Jim > >-----Original Message----- >From: Lorraine Beato >Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2003 7:43 PM >Subject: CHAMP Comment Form Submission > >I have a 3rd grade daughter who would like to get involved with the >coral reefs and marine biology. Are there any kid friendly >organizations which she can join or volunteer? We live in Georgia, but >do go to Florida quite often. I would appreciate any suggestions you >may have. > >Thanks! > >~~~~~~~ >For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: PAM workshop in Hawaii Date: Thu, 30 Jan 2003 19:20:37 -0500 From: John Runcie To: ALGAE-L@LISTSERV.HEANET.IE, coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Dear Algae and Coral people, For those of you interested in learning more about using pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorescence technology - I am hosting a small workshop at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology's research station at Coconut Island from 28 February to 3 March. Rolf Gademann, who has designed many of the Walz series of PAM instruments, will discuss and demonstrate theoretical background and various applications. There will be many opportunities for practical uses of the machines, and we will have a variety of instruments on site. Accommodation at the island is available. Space is very limited, so please contact me by email at the earliest opportunity if you are interested. cheers John ------------------------------------ Dr John Runcie Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology PO Box 1346 Kaneohe, HI 96744 USA ph (1 808) 236 7477 fax (1 808) 236 7443 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: RE: library awards Date: Thu, 30 Jan 2003 19:22:38 -0500 From: bhatcher To: coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov G=92day Pete, I nominate the University of Asmara, Eritrea, especially the department of Marine Sciences and Fisheries, for the library award. I have worked with the folks there since 1998, and they are doing a great job with very little. This library ward would make a great contribution, because the library is minimal, and they still have only the most rudimentary internet services. In June last year I took part in the UoA=92s =93Research for Nation Building=94 Symposium, and was real= ly impressed with The University of Asmara is a full service university (and the ONLY university) in a nation of 3.5M people that is rebuilding itself following 30 years of war. The mission of the institution is to develop Eritrea=92s human capacity for sustainable development of the nation. It currently has over 5,000 students enrolled in undergraduate classes. The Department of Marine Science and Fisheries typically graduates 15 four year (honours) degree students per year. Most of them find work in the Ministry of Fisheries or the private sector, while some small proportion go on to do graduate degrees overseas. I currently have one of the program=92s graduates as a Ph.D. student, and Nancy Knowlton just took on one as well. These people really make a large and noticable difference in their country. Several are currently involved in a GEF project focused on marine biodiversity (Eritreas has >1200km of the SW Red Sea=92s most pristine marine and coastal environment). The books would be used not only buy this program and its students, but also by staff at the Ministry of Fisheries, and visiting scientists (who are increasing in number since hostilities ended with the arrival of the UN peace-keeping forces). The UpA maintains a full service (albeit poorly stocked) library, with holdings accessible not only to university students, but also to bone fide external researchers. The books and journals would be well looked after in a safe, air-conditioned environment, but would also be very well-used. It is difficult for me to imagine a more deserving institution to receive this award. If you think that they are in the running, please let me know and I will put you in touch with the head of department and the chief librarian. Sincerely, Bruce Bruce G. Hatcher, Ph.D. Environmental Editor, CORAL REEFS c/o Department of Biology, 1355 Oxford Street, Halifax Nova Scotia, Canada, B3H 4J1 Tel: 1 902 494 6530 Fax: 1 902 494 3736 E-mail: bhatcher@dal.ca -----Original Message----- From: owner-coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov [mailto:owner-coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov] Sent: Monday, January 20, 2003 12:05 PM To: coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov Subject: library awards International Society for Reef Studies Library Awards 2003 The International Society for Reef Studies invites any person involved with coral reef studies, management and conservation to nominate an institution for participation in their Library Awards scheme for 2003. The scheme is intended to recognize and support institutions in developing countries for their important contributions to coral reef studies, conservation and management. What will award winners receive? Thanks to the generosity of their authors and publishers and a subsidy by the Society, up to 10 institutions will receive copies of the following publications: =B7 Proceedings of the 9th International Coral Reef Symposium, Bali, Indonesia, 2000 =B7 Corals of the world (3 volumes) By J.E.N. Veron and Mary Stafford-Smith. =B7 Soft Corals and Sea Fans By K. Fabricius and P. Alderslade. A comprehensive guide to the tropical shallow- water genera of the Central-West Pacific, the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea =B7 Systema Porifera Edited by John Hooper and Rob van Soest. =B7 Dynamics of Coral Communities By Ronald H. Karlson. =B7 Perspectives on Coral Reefs By David Barnes (Editor). =B7 Three-year subscription to Coral Reefs (2003-5 incl.) =B7 Three-year subscription to Reef Encounter (2003-5 incl.) Who may nominate an institution for an award? =B7 A member of the institute seeking an award=B7 =B7 Any other person who can provide details How to make a nomination Nominate an institution in no more than 100 words, describing a) the mission of the institution and the numbers of people who use it or are part of it; b) the purpose for which the books would be used; and c) arrangements that will ensure broad access to the books within the institution for whom the books are requested. Send nominations to: ISRS Library Award Committee C/- Dr Peter J Mumby Corresponding Secretary, International Society for Reef Studies Marine Spatial Ecology Lab School of Biological Sciences Hatherly Laboratory Prince of Wales Road University of Exeter Exeter Devon EX4 4PS United Kingdom tel: + 44 (0)1392 263798 fax: + 44 (0)1392 263700 e-mail: p.j.mumby@exeter.ac.uk ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Re: Diadema die off - another reference Date: Thu, 30 Jan 2003 19:29:51 -0500 From: "Robert W. Buddemeier" To: Jim Bohnsack CC: coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov, eshinn@usgs.gov, rbak@nioz.nl, lessiosh , szmanta@uncwil.edu, Alan.E.Strong@noaa.gov Interesting -- African dust doesn't sound like a very good vector for an anaerobe. Two other observations on the Dust Discussion -- 1. Paleoclimate -- based on (dust-relevant) African contributions to Atlantic sediments, the Sahara desertification was complete and its sediment output quasi-steady-state by 5000 years BP. (I think the reference is deMenocal et al. 2000, Quat. Sci. Rev. 19:347-361) If dust were a reliable vector there should have been plenty of chances for ecosystem inoculation before the past decade; alternatively, if this (putative dust-borne infection) were a statistically unique event in the Quaternary, then there is probably no way to 'prove' it, but probably also not much reason to worry about it in the future. 2. Experimental studies -- I think it would be extremely difficult to devise any sort of mesocosm test of the dust hypothesis -- in addition to the issue of how to test for or rule out statistically rare episodic inputs, there is the serious experimental design problem inherent in the enormous differences in surface/volume ratios between aquaria and the real ocean. If you delivered a realistic oceanic surface dose (g/m2/day) to an aquarium, the resultant water concentration would be orders of magnitude greater than in a natural system, and if you tried to generate a realistic oceanic water column concentration in an aquarium, you would be dealing with an almost unmanageably small (and therefore probably unrepresentative) input dose. Further, the high internal (solid) surface to (water) volume ratio of the aquarium system, combined with low water motion relative to the real ocean, would confound interpretation of the behavior of particulate contaminants. Bob Buddemeier Jim Bohnsack wrote: > In the various discussions, I did not see the following reference > mentioned concerning the cause of the Caribbean Diadema die off in 1983. > > Bauer, J.C. and C.J. Agerter. 1987. Isolation of bacteria pathogenic > for the sea urchin Diadema antillarum (Echinodermata: Echinoidea). Bull. > Mar. Sci. 40(1): 161-165. > > It provides evidence that an anaerobic bacteria Clostridium was the > responsible agent. I believe this study was able to satisfy all but one > of Koch's postulates. The last one can not be tested because no known > specimen that actually died in the kill was preserved by freezing. > > Also, I vaguely rember (i.e. I can not verify) someone mentioning that > this kill occurred just after Panama started preventing ships from > releasing ballast water and other discharges in the Panama Canal. > Presumably, cruise ships that held sewage in tanks while crossing the > Isthmus would have plenty of opportunity to build up anoxic conditions > in their tanks and large abundance of Clostridium. If there is any > merit to this hypothesis, I hope everyone appreciates the irony of having > one regulation designed to prevent environmental damage (i.e. protect > water quality in the Panama Canal) causing great damage elsewhere. > > REF: > > > Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 10:08:33 -0500 > > From: Gene Shinn > > Subject: Dust and other Hypotheses > > > > TimesDear Coral Listers, > > > > Since there has been so much discussion of the African dust > > hypothesis on the list in recent weeks, I could resist responding no > > longer. First, the experiments proposed by Jim Hendee to test African > > dust effects on corals are similar to ones I have been proposing for at > > least 5 years. Unfortunately, there is little funding to do such work. > > In addition, the USGS does not have in place the dust collectors you > > mention. We sample for microbes using very small samples and collection > > requires only 10-to-15 minutes. We do no routine monitoring but would > > if we could. There is no funding for the large expensive samplers > > needed to provide enough sample for the experiments Jim proposed. > > Secondly, the major problem with finding the Diadema pathogen is that > > the pathogen that first killed them has not been identified so we do > > not know what to look for. It would be possible, however, to test > > living Diadema against those microbes that have been cultured from dust > > thus far. > > > > I thank Lessios for answering Alina's question regarding survival > > of West African Diadema. I did not have an answer as elegant as his. I > > could only suggest that Diadema living so close to the source, like the > > humans and the Siderastera sp. that survive there, long ago adapted and > > those that didn't died. Lessios also makes some very valid points > > regarding water transport of the unknown pathogen. We accept that the > > Diadema die-off began near the Panama Canal (Lessios et al., 1984, > > Science, 226:335-337). We also point out that the die-off began in > > winter when African dust impacts the southern Caribbean, South America > > and the Panama region and it was also the dustiest year since Prospero > > began monitoring dust in 1965. The upper Caribbean is impacted later > > during the summer months. Like Lessios, we believe water transport is > > very important. How else would it infect Diadema in aquaria (I assume > > we are talking running seawater aquaria)? Once the Caribbean basin is > > impacted as shown in the NOAA satellite image in our 4-page info sheet > > in our website, water currents likely complete the distribution of any > > pathogens delivered from the air. Areas downcurrent, such as, Belize > > and Florida, were impacted by the disease after Panama. What has > > concerned us, however, is how did the pathogen later move hundreds of > > miles against the Caribbean Current to reach the Lesser Antilles? Dust > > contamination of the Atlantic seaward of the Antilles and then > > transport downcurrent to the Antilles seems a reasonable possibility. > > There is nothing between the Antilles and Africa, and both the wind and > > the currents move toward the Antilles. More recent studies conducted by > > microbiologists at our office show that microbial species in dust can > > change drastically within 30 minutes. Don't expect a dust cloud to > > deliver the same microbes everywhere at the same time. > > > > My main point is that the dust hypothesis is just that, an > > hypothesis, as are the other proposed causes of Diadema and coral > > death. The ballast-water origin is an unproven hypothesis, as are the > > other "usual suspects" that drive coral research funding. This latter > > point gets back to what Jim pointed out a week earlier regarding the > > emotional "pollution" word. Where is the original basic research > > demonstrating the degree of damage done to corals by the "usual > > suspects," oil spills, sewage, sedimentation, and mosquito spraying, to > > name a few? We seem to have skipped over the basics and then let > > assumptions and emotion guide our research and funding agencies. > > > > Best Wishes, Gene > > > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . -- Dr. Robert W. Buddemeier Kansas Geological Survey University of Kansas 1930 Constant Avenue Lawrence, KS 66047 USA e-mail: buddrw@ku.edu ph (1) (785) 864-2112 fax (1) (785) 864-5317 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: coral / reef papers Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 13:54:26 -0500 From: "charles sheppard" Organization: Biological Sciences To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Following an earlier 'thread' on pollution definitions: I list below papers from the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin since 2000 on corals and reefs. There must be about 20 journals which take coral / reef papers. The majority of tropical marine labs and workers can't or don't subscribe to most of them, and as some litt. services are not cheap, and as a distressingly large number find it difficult even to hear about potentially useful papers, it might be useful if any other editors reading this could put lists of reef papers from their journals on coral-list too, perhaps? Best wishes Charles Sheppard AmmarM.S.A., Amin, E.M., Gundacker, D., Mueller, W.E.G. 2000. One Rational Strategy for Restoration of Coral Reefs: Application of molecular biological parameters to select sites for rehabilitation by asexual recruits. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 40: 618-627. Buchan,K.C. 2000. The Bahamas. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 41: 94-111. Carbone,F., Accordi, G. 2000. The Indian Ocean Coast of Somalia. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 41: 141-159. Celliers,L., Schleyer, M.H. 2002. Coral bleaching on high latitude marginal reefs at Sodwana Bay, South Africa. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 44: 1380-1387. Chiappone,M., White A., Swanson, D.W., Miller, S.L. 2002. Occurrence and biological impacts of fishing gear and other marine debris in the Florida Keys. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 44: 597- 604. Connelly,D.P., Readman, J.W., Knap, A.H., Davies, J. 2001. Contamination of the coastal waters of Bermuda by organotins and the triazine herbicide Irgarol 1051. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 42: 409-414. Cox,E.F., Ward, S. 2002. Impact of elevated ammonium on reproduction in two Hawaiian scleractinian corals with different life history patterns. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 44: 1230- 1235. David,C.P. 2003. Heavy metal concentrations in growth bands of corals: A record of mine tailings input through time (Marinduque Island, Phillippines). 46: Mar. Pollut. Bull. In press. Donohue,M.J. 2003. How Multiagency Partnerships Can Successfully Address Large-Scale Pollution Problems: A Hawaii Case Study. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 46: In press. Donohue,M.J., Boland, R.C., Sramek, C.M., Antonelis, G.A. 2001. Derelict fishing gear in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands: Diving surveys and debris removal in 1999 confirm threat to coral reef ecosystems. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 42: 1301- 1312. Edinger,E.N., Limmon, G.V., Jompa, J., Widjatmoko, W., Heikoop, J.M., Risa, M.J. 2000. Normal Coral Growth Rates on Dying Reefs: Are coral growth rates good indicators of coral reef health? Mar. Pollut. Bull. 40: 404-425. Edwards,A.J., Clark, S., Zahir, H., Rajasuriya, A., Naseer, A., Rubens, J. 2001. Coral Bleaching and Mortality on Artificial and Natural Reefs in Maldives in 1998, Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies and Intitial Recovery. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 42: 7-15. Epstein,N., Bak, R.P.M., Rinkevich, B. 2000. Toxicity of 3rd Generation Dispersants and Dispersed Egyptian Crude Oil on Red Sea Coral Larvae. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 40: 497-503. Esslemont,G., Harriott, V.J., McConchie, D.M. 2000. Variability of Trace-Metal Concentrations Within and Between Colonies of Pocillopora damicornis. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 40: 637-642. Gilbert,A.L., Guzman, H.M. 2001 Bioindication Potential of Carbonic Anhydrase Activity in Anemones and Corals. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 42: 742-744. Guzman,H.M, Garcia, E.M. 2002. Mercury levels in coral reefs along the Caribbean coast of Central America. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 44: 1415-1420. Harborne,A.R., Afzal, D.C., Andrews, M.J. 2001. Honduras: Caribbean Coast. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 42: 1221-1235. Haynes,D. 2000. Sources, Fates and Consequences of Pollutants in the Great Barrier Reef. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 41: 265-266. Haynes,D., Christie, C., Marshall, P., Dobbs, K. 2002. Antifoulant concentrations at the site of the Bunga Teratai Satu grounding, Great Barrier Reef Australia. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 44: 968-972. Haynes,D., Johnson, J.E. 2000. Organochlorine, Heavy Metal and Polyaromatic Hyrdocarbon Pollutant Concentrations in the Great Barrier Reef (Australia) Environment: A Review. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 41: 267-278. Haynes,D., Michalek-Wagner, K. 2000. Water Quality in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area: Past Perspectives, Current Issues and New Research Directions. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 41: 428-434. Heikoop,J.M., Risk, M.J., Lazier, A.V., Edinger, E.N., Jompa, J., Limmon, G.V., Dunn, J.J., Browne, D.R., Schwarcz, H.P. 2000. Nitrogen-15 signals of anthropogenic nutrient loading in reef corals. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 40: 628-636. Hoffman,T.C. 2002. Coral Reef Health and Effects of Socio- Economic Factors in Fiji and Cook Islands. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 44: 1281-1293. Holmes,K.E., Edinger, E.N., Limmon, G.V., Risk, M.J. 2000. Bioerosion of massive corals and coral rubble on Indonesian coral reefs. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 40: 606-617. Hutchings,P. 2001. The ENCORE Experiment. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 42: 81-82. Jameson,S.C., Tupper, M.H., Riddley, J.M. 2002. The 3 Screen Doors: Can Marine “Protected” Areas Be Effective? Mar. Pollut. Bull. 44: 1177-1183 Johnson,A.K.L., Ebert, S.P. 2000. Quantifying inputs of pesticides to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park – A case study in the Herbert River catchment of north-east Queensland. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 41: 302-309. Koop,K., Booth, D., Broadbent, A., Brodie, J., Bucher, D., Capone, D., Coll, , J., Dennison, W., Erdmann, M., Harrison, P., Hoegh-Guldberg, O., Hutchings, P., Jones, G.B., Larkum, A.W.D., O’Neil, J., Steven, A., Tentori, E., Ward, S., Williamson, J., Yellowlees, D. 2001. ENCORE: The Effect of Nutrient Enrichment on Coral Reefs. Synthesis of Results and Conclusions. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 42: 91-120. Koop,K., Steven, A., McGill, R., Drew, E.D., McDonald, B. 2001. Use of a Telemetered Dispensing System for Controlling Nutrient Additions to Experimental Patch Reefs in the ENCORE Study at One Tree Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 42: 121-126. Lam,K.K.Y. 2003. Coral recruitment onto an experimental pulverised fuel ash-concrete artificial reef. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 46: In press. Leao,Z.M.A.N., Dominguez, J.M.L. 2000. Tropical Coast of Brazil. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 41: 112-122. Lindahl,U., Ohman, M.C., Schelten, C.K. 2001. The 1997/1998 mass mortality of corals: effects on fish communities on a Tanzanian coral reef. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 42: 127-131 Lipp,E.K., Jarrell, J.L., Griffin, D.W., Lukasik, J., Jacukiewicz, J., Rose, J.B. 2002. Preliminary evidence for human fecal contamination in corals of the Florida Keys, U.S.A. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 44: 666-670. McClanahan,T.R. 2000. Bleaching Damage and Recovery Potential of Maldivian Coral Reefs. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 40: 587- 597. McClanahan,T.R., Cokos, B.A., Sala, E. 2002. Algal growth and species composition under experimental control of herbivory, phosphorous and coral abundance in glovers reef, Belize. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 44: 441-451 Medina-Elizalde,M., Gold-Bouchot, G., Ceja-Moreno, V. 2002. Lead contamination in the Mexican Caribbean recorded by the coral Montastraea annularis (Ellis and Solander). Mar. Pollut. Bull. 44: 421-423. Miao,X.S., Woodward, L.A., Swenson, C., Li, Q.X., 2001 Comparative concentrations of metals in marine species from French Frigate Shoals, North Pacific Ocean. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 42: 1049-1054. Mills,A.P. 2001. St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 42: 1208-1220. Morrison,R.J., Narayan, S.P., Gangaiya, P. 2001. Trace Element Studies in Laucala Bay, Suva, Fiji. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 42: 397- 404. Morton,B. 2002. Dong-Sha Atoll, South China Sea: Ground Zero. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 44: 835-837. Morton,B., Blackmore, G. 2001. South China Sea. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 42: 1236-1263. Negri,A.P., Heyward, A.J. 2000. Inhibition of fertilisation and larval metamorphosis of the coral Acropora millepora (Ehrenberg,1834) by petroleum products. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 41: 420-427. Negri,A.P., Smith, L.D., Webster, N.S., Heyward, A.J. 2002. Understanding ship-grounding impacts on a coral reef: Potential effects of antifoulant paint contamination on coral recruitment. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 44: 111-117. Nugues,M.M., Roberts, C.M. 2003. Partial mortality in massive reef corals as an indicator of sediment stress on coral reefs. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 46: In press. Obura,D.O. 2001. Kenya. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 42: 1264-1278. Owen,R., Knap, A., Toaspern, M., Carbery, K. 2002. Inhibition of Coral Photosynthesis by the Antifouling Herbicide Irgarol 1051. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 44: 623-632. Reichelt-Brushett,A.J., Harrison, P.L. 2000. The effect of copper on the settlement success of larvae from the scleractinian coral Acropora tenuis. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 41: 385-391. Roberts,J.M., Long, D., Wilson, J.B., Mortensen, P.B., Gage, J.D. 2003. The cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa (Scleractinia) and enigmatic seabed mounds along the north-east Atlantic margin: are they related? Mar. Pollut. Bull. 46: In press. Sheppard,C. 2001. The Main Issues Affecting Coasts of the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans: A Meta-Analysis from Seas at the Millennium. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 42: 1199-1207. Sheppard,C., Rayner, N.A. 2002. Utility of the Hadley Centre sea ice and sea surface temperature data set (HadISST1) in two widely contrasting coral reef areas. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 44: 303- 308. Sheppard,C.R.C. 2002 The Florida Reef Tract and the ‘One third rule’. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 44: 997-978. Spalding,M.D., Jarvis, J.E. 2002. The impact of the 1998 coral mortality on reef fish communities in the Seychelles. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 44: 309-321 Spencer,T., Teleki, K.A., Bradshaw, C., Spalding, M.D. 2000. Coral bleaching in the Southern Seychelles during the 1997- 8 Indian Ocean warm event. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 40: 569-586. Thia-Eng,C., Gorre, I.R.L., Adrian Ross, S., Bernad, S.R., Gervacio, B., Corazon Ebarvia, M. 2000. The Malacca Straits. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 41: 160-178. White,A.T., Vogt, H.P. 2000. Philippine coral reefs under threat: Lessons learned after 25 years of community based reef conservation. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 40: 537-550. White,A.T., Vogt, H.P., Arin, T. 2000. Philippine Coral Reefs under threat: the economic losses caused by reef destruction. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 40: 598-605. Yamamuro,M., Kayanne, H., Yamano, H. 2003. d15N of Seagrass Leaves for Monitoring Anthropogenic Nutrient Increases in Coral Reef Ecosystems. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 46: In press. Yap,H.T. 2001. Another look at coral reef degradation. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 42: 527. Best wishes Charles Sheppard Dept Biological Sciences University of Warwick Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK fax: (+44)(0) 24 7652 4619 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Bulk Coral Calcium from Okinawa Date: Sat, 1 Feb 2003 20:56:31 -0500 From: Jon Bonanno To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Dear Doctors, After reviewing your very interesting and thoughtful PDF thread of e-mails (finished Sept. 7th, 2001), in regards to the Coral bleaching and general degradation of reefs, it seemed appropriate to ask the experts this question. Is there a company (or companies) in Okinawa, Japan that is pursuing ecologically friendly mining of high quality coral calcium sand, which is fit for human consumption? Understand that this question could be offensive to some of you, as mining a reef is the last thing that we want to see. This is actually the basis of my question, I would prefer to purchase and support companies that follow strong ecological preservation guidelines. Please assist me in finding the right source in Japan to get the products that I am searching for (bulk high quality coral calcium sand - fit for human consumption). Thank you all in advance. Very Highest Regards, Jon Bonanno ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Coral damage and mucus secretion Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2003 07:09:45 -0500 From: "Grubba, Tim" To: Dear coral-listers, I am trying to track down information on the secretion of mucus by corals (Acropora) which have suffered physical damage (e.g. damage caused by boat groundings). Specifically I am after information on the timing of mucus secretion - how soon after damage occurs does mucus secretion occur and for how long is mucus secreted. Cheers Tim Grubba Marine Ecologist Marine Conservation Branch Department of Conservation and Land Management 47 Henry St., Fremantle, WA, 6160. Ph 08 9336 0118 Fax 08 9430 5408 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: G. cinereus growth rate Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2003 09:59:09 -0500 From: Ben Halpern To: coral-list-daily@aoml.noaa.gov I am trying to find an estimate of daily growth rate for the yellowfin mojarra (Gerres cinereus). Does anyone have an approximate value for their daily rate, or the rate for any other congeneric? Thanks, Ben -- ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: REEF Marine Conservation Internship Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2003 10:00:09 -0500 From: Christy Pattengill-Semmens To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Please pass the following on to colleagues and students: The deadline for the summer semester of the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF)'s Marine Conservation Internship program is fast approaching! Please encourage enthusiastic college students or recent graduates with SCUBA experience and a career interest in marine conservation to apply for this unique opportunity. The internship provides housing and a stipend and is located in Key Largo, FL. A full description and application procedures are available at:www.reef.org/intern. Please contact Leda Cunningham at Leda@reef.org for more information. -- Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D. Scientific Coordinator Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) www.reef.org ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Coral symbionts Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2003 10:00:10 -0500 From: "Ivan Marin" To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Dear Coral-lers, Our laboratory has been studing simbiotic relationships between different sea invertebrates. Personally, I am studing coral-associated crustaceans as one of the component of coral reef community. Generally, we are interested in all animals and their complex associated with scleractinian coral colonies. Since 2001 members of our laboratory has been working in South Vietnam waters investigating coral reef community and all influinced factors. As one knows, corals in Vietnam are hardly exploited by fishing, pollution and others, that why this region is very interesting to study effect of exploitation. My supervisor, T.A. Brytaev, and I try to investigate the changes in coral associated communities as factors and indexes of coral community pollution. Here, we are looking for scientist or societies, who are interested in cooperation in this topic. We are interested in any contacts with scientists who make same investigations in other regoins. And yet one. Could you help me to find organizations, societies or funds (their Internet pages), which are supporting and funding different joint projects, scientific projects on studing coral associated communities and grants for PhD student to make joint coral reef condition investigations in Indo-West Pacific. Thank You very much. Sincerely yours Ph.D. student, Ivan N. Marin Laboratory of Evolutional Morphology of Marine Invertebrates (T.Brytaev Laboratory) A.N. Severtzov Institute of Ecology and Evolution (RAS) Leninsky pr. 33 117071 Moscow Russia Fax: 095 954 5534 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Manual: Reef Fish Spawning Aggregations Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2003 10:02:11 -0500 From: scrfa To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Dear All, The Society for the Conservation of Reef Fish Spawning Aggregations is pleased to announce completion of a "Methods Manual" for spawning aggregation-related work. The Manual may be found at www.scrfa.org under 'Education and Information' and is intended to be a reference, incorporating lots of field examples, for work on aggregations. It includes methods applicable to research ranging from biological studies and monitoring fish numbers (by both fishery dependent and fishery independent means) to techniques for mapping of aggregation sites, and conservation issues, amongst others. Apologies for the cross-posting, Andy Cornish ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Pollution Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2003 10:02:11 -0500 From: CSalt5@aol.com To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Dear Mr. Sheppard: About a month ago I responded to a request from Jim Hendee for comments on setting priorities for the Coral Reef Task Force to focus on. Topping the proposed list was "land based pollution." I stated that material dredged from offshore for beach restoration was not land based, but should be high on the list because it is one of the leading causes of direct coral destruction. You will not find documentation of this in scientific journals. The acreage estimates are scattered in Corps of Engineers EISs dating back to the 1960s. Ken Lindeman of Environmental Defense attempted to compile a list of projects and add up impacts on coral reefs but, due to poor preproject documentation and an absence of follow up studies, found it impossible to arrive at a precise total. The currently proposed Broward County project would bury, by first estimate, 55 acres of nearshore coral community. Following a public outcry and as frequently happens, this estimate was mysteriously reduced to 35 acres; thirty-five acres for one project which would move 3.5 million cubic yards of sand. In Dr. Lindeman's Dissertation he found that 47.225 million cy have been dredged and deposited since 1960 in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. It stands to reason that a minimum of 100 acres of reef has been buried by beach fill. Additional aceage has been destroyed by dredges offshore and degraded by settling of suspended sediment. Truly yours, Chuck Sultzman --part1_119.1e93a9c9.2b704f69_boundary Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Dear Mr. Sheppard:
     About a month ago I responded to a request from Jim= Hendee for comments on setting priorities for the Coral Reef Task Force to=20= focus on.  Topping the proposed list was "land based pollution." =20= I stated that material dredged from offshore for beach restoration was not l= and based, but should be high on the list because it is one of the leading c= auses of direct coral destruction.  You will not find documentation of=20= this in scientific journals.  The acreage estimates are scattered in Co= rps of Engineers EISs dating back to the 1960s.  Ken Lindeman of Enviro= nmental Defense attempted to compile a list of projects and add up impacts o= n coral reefs but, due to poor preproject documentation and an absence of fo= llow up studies, found it impossible to arrive at a precise total.  The= currently proposed Broward County project would bury, by first estimate, 55= acres of nearshore coral community.  Following a public outcry and as=20= frequently happens, this estimate was mysteriously reduced to 35 acres; thir= ty-five acres for one project which would move 3.5 million cubic yards of sa= nd.  In Dr. Lindeman's Dissertation he found that 47.225 million cy hav= e been dredged and deposited since 1960 in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach cou= nties.  It stands to reason that a minimum of 100 acres of reef=20= has been buried by beach fill.  Additional aceage has been destroyed by= dredges offshore and degraded by settling of suspended sediment.
 
            &nbs= p;            &n= bsp;            = Truly yours,

            &nbs= p;            &n= bsp;            = Chuck Sultzman
 --part1_119.1e93a9c9.2b704f69_boundary-- ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: AMLC Meeting Announcement Date: Thu, 6 Feb 2003 11:07:02 -0500 From: Laurie Richardson To: coral list > MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR PAPERS > > 31st Scientific Meeting of the > ASSOCIATION OF MARINE LABORATORIES OF THE CARIBBEAN > Crowne Plaza Hotel > Port of Spain, Trinidad > > July 14-18, 2003 > > We are pleased to announce our upcoming scientific meeting of the > Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean. The meeting > will be centered around scientific presentations and will include a > field trip to enjoy our locale, which this year is the island of > Trinidad. As in the past, presenters may submit papers of their > presentations for potential publication in the peer-reviewed journal > proceedings of the meeting. Presentations will include poster- as > well as verbal presentations. In keeping with the AMLC purpose of > promoting the exchange of scientific and technical information > concerning Caribbean marine sciences, the themes of this scientific > meeting will be: > > … Ornamental Marine Organisms and Fisheries > … Diseases of Coral Reef Organisms > … Remote Sensing and GIS in the Wider Caribbean > … Caribbean Oceanography and Coastal Processes > … Pollution and Anthropogenic Issues > … Public Awareness and Education > … Biodiversity, MPAs, and Conservation > … Fisheries and Aquaculture > … General Caribbean Marine Sciences > > Other topics will be considered subject to session time limitations. > Abstracts must be received by May 1, 2003, and may be in English or > Spanish. Abstracts must be submitted in the form described in the > Abstract Format instructions at the end of this message. Upon receipt > of your > abstract, a brief description of the associated peer-reviewed paper > guidelines for authors and submission requirements will be sent to > you, along with confirmation of receipt of your abstract. It will be > helpful if you assure that your e-mail address is clearly provided > when you submit your abstract. > > If using postal service to submit your abstract, include a hard copy > and an electronic copy on diskette. If using e-mail, attach your > abstract to your message - do not incorporate your abstract in the > body of your message - attach the Word file. Submit your abstract(s) > to: > > Dr. Laurie Richardson > Biology Department > Florida International University > Miami, FL 33199 USA > E-mail: Laurie.Richardson@fiu.edu > > REGISTRATION > > A Registration Form accompanies this Meeting Announcement. Please > note that substantial cost saving may be realized by early (before > May 1, 2003) registration. A second way to save for non-members of > AMLC is to join the association by completing the attached Membership > Form and adding membership fees to the amount remitted for > registration. > > The registration fee covers the initial reception, all meeting rooms, > two coffee breaks per day, a book of abstracts, the program, the > published meeting proceedings, and a souvenir T-shirt. Tickets to > the closing banquet and local field trips will be sold for nominal > prices at the registration desk when you arrive. > > ACCOMODATIONS > > The venue hotel will be the Crowne Plaza in Port of Spain, Trinidad. > Our special AMLC room rates are U.S. $82.00 for single occupancy, and > U.S. 90.00 for double occupancy. These rates include taxes and a > buffet breakfast, and they assume that we rent a minimum number of > rooms, so we encourage all attendees to stay at the venue hotel. We > suggest you make early reservations to assure your getting these > great special rates. You will need a credit card to confirm your > reservation. To make your hotel reservations, contact: > > Mr. Jerome Dinzey > Sales Manager > Crowne Plaza Trinidad > Wrightson Road > Port of Spain, Trinidad > Tel: 1-868-625-3366 > Fax: 1-868-625-4166 > E-mail: eoffice@crowneplaza.co.tt > > TRAVEL > > You may need a visa for travel to Trinidad, so we suggest you check > with your travel agent and secure this visa early. > > Because shuttle service is not provided by the hotel, we suggest > using a taxi. The cost of a taxi from the airport to Port of Spain > is U.S. $20 before 10:00 p.m., and U.S. $30 after 10:00 p.m. > > WE WILL SEE YOU ALL IN TRINIDAD! > > 31st SCIENTIFIC MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION OF > MARINE LABORATORIES OF THE CARIBBEAN > TRINIDAD, JULY 14-18, 2003 > > Name > ____ > __________________________________________________________________________ > > Position : > _________________ > _____________________________________________________________ > Organization: > _____________ > ______________________________________________________________ > Address: > ________ > _______________________________________________________________________ > > ________________________________________________________________________________ > > City: __________________________________ > State:______________________ Postal Code: ____________ > Country: ____________________ Tel: ___________________ E-mail: > _______________________________ > Accompanying person (s) > ____________________________________________________________________ > > Mark (X) your registration status: Early registration > Late registration > Before May 1, 2003 > After May 1, 2003 > Current Members of AMLC > Full ($ 250.00) ________ > ($ 290.00) _______ > Student ($ 100.00) ________ ($ > 130.00) _______ > Non-Members of AMLC > Full ($ 300.00) ________ > ($ 340.00) _______ > Student ($ 130.00) ________ ($ > 160.00) _______ > Accompanying person ($ 100.00) ________ ($ > 130.00) _______ > AMLC Membership Fee ________ > _______ > Non-members may join now and pay Members Fees; see the attached > Membership Form. > Total included with this registration $ _______________ > > ALL PAYMENTS MUST BE MADE BY BANK DRAFT PAYABLE TO THE > "INSTITUTE OF MARINE AFFAIRS." > Please send completed registration form with your payment to: > If by postal mail: If by > courier (e.g. Federal Express): > Denise Williams-Dummett, Executive Assistant Denise > Williams-Dummett, Executive Assistant > Institute of Marine Affairs > Institute of Marine Affairs > P.O. Box 3160, Carenage Post Office Hilltop Lane > Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies Chaguaramas, > Trinidad, West Indies > For information and inquiries, you may contact Ms. Williams-Dummett > at: > Tel: 1-868-634-4291/4 or by E-mail at: director@ima.gov.tt > > NEW MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION INFORMATION > > TO BE USED WITH REGISTRATION FOR THE 2003 SCIENCE MEETING IN > TRINIDAD > > Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean > > Thank you for your interest in joining the AMLC. Our membership > categories and fees are as follows: > > _Student ($5.00) _ Regular($25.00) _ > Sponsor ($30.00) > _ Sustaining ($50.00) _ Patron ($100.00) > > Please indicate (above) at which level you are joining, and add that > amount to your registration payment for the Trinidad meeting (July, > 2003). > > Next, please fill out the following information and mail the > completed form with your meeting registration materials. > > Name and Address Information: > > Name: > ______________________________________________________________________ > > Address: > ____________________________________________________________________ > > > ____________________________________________________________________ > > Scientific interests: > ____________________________________________________________ > > Telephone: ____________________________ Fax: > ______________________________ > > E-mail:___________________________________________ > ABSTRACT GUIDELINES > > THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF AMLC! > 31st SCIENTIFIC MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION OF > MARINE LABORATORIES OF THE CARIBBEAN > TRINIDAD, JULY 14-18, 2003 > > Deadline for submitting the abstract is May 1, 2003. > The abstract should be in the following IBM or compatible format: > Word processor: MS Word 6- or higher. Font: Times-Roman (size 11) - > Margins: 1.0" all sides. Title - All in capital letters; font size > 11. Title should be short (2 lines maximum) and include Order and > Family of organisms when needed. Scientific names should be in > italics. In the next line, name (s) of author (s) with presenter > underlined, a complete, but short, address for the senior author and > his/her e-mail. Text: Leave one line, and then write the 300 word > (maximum), single paragraph text (single space between lines) of the > abstract, leave one line and write four keywords for the abstract, > the session you want to give your presentation, and if it will be an > oral presentation or a poster. Please, let us know if you would like > to co-chair a session. > > Example: > > ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A NOVEL STRATEGY OF ASEXUAL > REPRODUCTION IN CARIBBEAN MASSIVE CORALS. > E.Weil*, A.L. Ortiz, H. Ruiz & M. Schärer. > *Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico. P.O. BOX > 908, Lajas, PR 00667, USA. eweil@caribe.net > > Corals can reproduce asexually by at least five described strategies. > Only fragmentation and asexual larvae have been reported for the > Caribbean. A novel strategy of asexual reproduction was observed in > massive colonies of the genera Diploria and Dendrogyra in the > Caribbean. These species produce asexual buds which develop as > soft-tissue outgrowths on the ridges, and deposit a well organized > skeleton which is not connected to the parent colony. We have termed > these propagules gemma (pl. gemmae). Gemmae may stay attached until > they get large and heavy and/or surge conditions are strong. > Detached, surviving gemmae form "rolling stones" or re-attach to the > substrate. Some ecological characteristics were assessed by band > transects, counts of number of gemmae per colony, depth distribution, > etc., in several coral reef areas across the wider Caribbean. Results > indicate that: (1) gemmae are widely distributed from Bermuda to > Venezuela, and were restricted to shallow areas (< 5 m); (2) in > Puerto Rico, D. clivosa had a higher abundance of colonies with > gemmae (25.5 %) compared to D. strigosa (11.7 %) and D. > labyrinthiformis (8.7 %); (3) D. strigosa and D. clivosa had > significantly higher average number of gemmae per colony (14.9 and > 6.8 respectively) than D. labyrinthiformis (1.2); (4) the number and > size of gemmae was not related to parent colony size; (5) average > size of gemmae was similar between the three species in Puerto Rico, > and significantly larger in D. strigosa (5.49 mm) compared to > Venezuela (3.62 mm). Maximum size was found in D. clivosa (26 mm). > This strategy could have evolved as a response to the environmental > instability of shallow reef habitats, and may explain the dominance > of Diploria in these habitats. Further research on the genetic > composition of populations of Diplorias in shallow reef habitats, and > the ecological consequences of this strategy is needed. > > Keywords:. Massive scleractinian corals, asexual reproduction, > gemmae, Caribbean. > Session: General Caribbean Marine Sciences > > Oral Presentation __________ > Poster Presentation _________ > > Chair or co-chair this session ____________ > Other session ______ specify which session > ________________________________________ > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Stronger Protections Sought for South Atlantic Groupers Date: Thu, 6 Feb 2003 12:24:12 -0500 From: Alexander Stone To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov, fish-sci@segate.sunet.se, gcfinet@listserv.tamu.edu, marbio@mote.org, marinelife@onenw.org, cons-wpst-coralreef-forum@lists.sierraclub.org R e e f D i s p a t c h *********************** February 7, 2003 Stronger Protections Sought for South Atlantic Groupers ------------------------------------------------------------------- conservation group makes headway towards grouper management reforms Miami, Florida – Comprehensive management reform for South Atlantic grouper stocks is being called for by the coral reef conservation organization ReefKeeper International in response to information indicating that most grouper stocks are at risk of collapse. The public interest group has requested that an integrated multi-point management program be adopted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and National Marine Fisheries Service to protect groupers from further depletion. To generate public support for the measures, the conservation group is hosting a Save America's Groupers internet petition campaign at http://www.reefguardian.org. The unified management approach would include new reduced fishing quotas for all grouper species based on available population data for designated indicator stocks, partial spawning season fishing closures, and implementation of rebuilding plans that include no-take zones for all officially designated overfished grouper species. “Because the proposed management measures are interdependent and each serves a unique purpose, they must all be implemented if we're going to protect groupers and the fisheries that depend on them,” stated ReefKeeper Director Alexander Stone. Action on the ReefKeeper requests is under consideration by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, but their acceptance is uncertain. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently working on a broad revision of federal grouper fishing regulations. Available scientific data would indicate that increased protection is overdue. A November 2000 study by the American Fisheries Society identified 10 of the 18 South Atlantic grouper species as being vulnerable to extinction. Similarly, the Council's own information indicates that 11 managed grouper stocks are presently overfished. "Precautionary fishery management measures and stock rebuilding plans must be put in place now, before it is too late," said Stone. The 18 grouper species managed in the South Atlantic are naturally divided by where they are found into a shallow-water grouper complex and a deep-water grouper complex. Each complex consists of many grouper species mixed together throughout the ocean bottom. These two so-called mixed fishery complexes have made traditional techniques of managing stocks on an individual species basis unworkable when applied to groupers. Since multiple species are mingled together in the same fishing areas and depths, they are all caught together by the same fishing gear at the same time. As a result of this phenomenon, ReefKeeper contends that any catch restrictions placed on a single species are ineffective because fishers have no way to avoid catching the restricted species while pursuing other species in the same grouper complex. “To compensate for the mixed fishery effect on individual grouper species, we’re asking that management measures be applied collectively to all shallow-water groupers as one multi-species complex, and to all deep-water groupers as another,” commented ReefKeeper Director Stone. Compounding management problems is the fact that, due to limited data and staff resources, the South Atlantic Council cannot actually determine the current population condition of many grouper stocks. According to ReefKeeper, the solution is to designate an "indicator species" of known population status for each of the 2 grouper complexes. "Fishing quotas and management decisions for each of the 2 complexes could then be based on the known population condition of the indicator species in each of the 2 complexes," Stone explained. In fact, it appears that the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council may be in at least partial agreement with ReefKeeper’s reasoning. Recently the Council began to consider using the known population condition of Snowy Grouper as the basis for setting fishing quotas and making management decisions for the deep-water grouper complex. But the Council has yet to make any move towards selection of an indicator species for the shallow-water grouper complex. Groupers are seasonal spawners that -- true to their name -- tend to congregate in large groups during spawning season. Shallow-water groupers do this generally in the Spring, while deep-water groupers do it in the Fall. There is widespread concern that fishing for spawning groupers is decreasing their reproductive success year by year. The result is further declines each year in already depressed grouper populations. ReefKeeper is asking the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council to give each grouper species a chance for undisturbed spawning. To do this, the conservation group is advocating establishment of a Spring two-month fishing closure for the shallow-water grouper complex and a Fall closure of the same duration for the deep-water grouper complex. "Staggering the spawning season closures this way would still allow a year-round flow of local grouper to fish markets and restaurants while gradually rebuilding grouper populations as more and more of them live to spawn before being caught," the ReefKeeper spokesman emphasized. Several of the conservation group’s requested management measures have already been included as potential options in the current draft of the revised regulations. These include implementation of science-based overfishing limits, partial spawning season fishing closures, and the setting of rebuilding plans for badly overfished Nassau and Goliath grouper stocks. However, the regulation's present draft still lack several management measures considered essential by ReefKeeper. The conservation group is continuing to advocate for inclusion in the draft regulation of management of grouper stocks on a complex-wide basis, and the adoption of rebuilding plans that include the use of no-take zones for all overfished grouper stocks in the South Atlantic. The public interest organization remains hopeful. “With continued public support, we feel confident the Council will do the right thing and adopt each of these measures which are fundamental to the recovery of South Atlantic groupers from their present depleted condition,” added Stone. The ReefKeeper grouper management requests are being considered for adoption under Amendment 13 to the South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan. To generate public support for the requests, ReefKeeper is seeking sign-ons to a Save America's Groupers petition at http://www.reefguardian.org/Campaigns/SaveOurReefFishGRP/PetitionGRP.html. "America's groupers need greater protection now, before they are all driven to the brink of extinction," ReefKeeper Director Alexander Stone concluded. # # # Contacts: ReefKeeper International / Alexander Stone, Director / (305) 358-4600 or a_stone@reefkeeper.org South Atlantic Fishery Mgmt Council / Greg Waugh, Assistant Executive Director / (843) 571-4366 or gregg.waugh@safmc.net ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: AMLC Meeting announcment format Date: Thu, 6 Feb 2003 13:03:39 -0500 From: Laurie Richardson To: coral list Dear Colleagues - I formated the AMLC meeting announcement sent out earlier in Netscape, and the margins got scrambled in the posting. If you are thinking of attending this meeting and want a better information package please reply to this and I'll send it as a word attachment. Thanks and sorry for any inconvenience. Laurie Richardson, AMLC Membership Director ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Re: Diadema die off/African dust Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 06:51:25 -0500 From: Chris Kellogg To: Weighing in with my 2 cents on Clostridium (as a microbiologist)-- Clostridium sp., like Bacillus sp., form endospores. Generally, the vegetative cells are rapidly killed by exposure to air, but the spores are not. Both Clostridium and Bacillus sp. are normal soil inhabitants (caveat: C. perfringens is regarded as an indicator of sewage contamination. Note that this 'contamination' and indicator may come from any mammal, not just humans). Point being, there is no reason one could not find Clostridium in African dust. That said, my experiments culturing bacteria from African dust air samples taken in Mali, Africa, have all been done under aerobic conditions. Because I get so much growth (sometimes over 2000 bacterial colonies on a single filter--15 min sample) I can only afford to ID a small subset of bacteria from each sample. The most common genus I have seen is Bacillus. I should be getting some new samples in this month, and will try culturing half the filter under anaerobic conditions to see if anything grows. At one point, Dale Griffin tested some filters from African dust air samples taken in the Virgin Islands under anaerobic conditions, but did not see any growth. However, the Caribbean samples have about 100x fewer bacteria on them than the 'source' dust samples I get from Mali, so if Clostridium is in the dust, I'll have a better shot at detecting it in the samples from Africa. Shameless self promotion: I have just completed an open-file report summarizing my and Dale's work on African dust microbes. It is available at http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/ or you can email me for a high resolution pdf (4.2 MB). Due to our group's enthusiasm for the topic of African dust, it may appear that we are trying to link African dust to everything from coral reef/sea urchin mortality to the assassination of JFK (which is not to say that African dust doesn't occasionally cross the Gulf of Mexico and affect air quality in Texas...), to the exclusion of other hypotheses. Our suggestion that something is possible is not intended to imply that it is the sole or even most probable explanation. Just that it is possible. -Chris ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Christina A. Kellogg, Ph.D. Research Microbiologist United States Geological Survey Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies 600 Fourth Street South St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 PH: (727) 803-8747 X3128 FAX:(727) 803-2031 Email: ckellogg@usgs.gov ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Everything is dust in the wind." - Kansas >Date: Thu, 30 Jan 2003 17:31:43 -0600 >From: "Robert W. Buddemeier" >Organization: KGS >X-Accept-Language: en >MIME-Version: 1.0 >To: Jim Bohnsack >CC: coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov, eshinn@usgs.gov, rbak@nioz.nl, > lessiosh , szmanta@uncwil.edu, > Alan.E.Strong@noaa.gov >Subject: Re: Diadema die off - another reference >X-MIMETrack: Itemize by SMTP Server on gscamnlh01/SERVER/USGS/DOI(Release >5.0.10 |March > 22, 2002) at 01/30/2003 03:32:03 PM, > Serialize by POP3 Server on gsflstpm01/SERVER/USGS/DOI(Release >5.0.10 |March > 22, 2002) at 01/30/2003 06:41:42 PM, > Serialize complete at 01/30/2003 06:41:42 PM > >Interesting -- African dust doesn't sound like a very good vector for an >anaerobe. > >Two other observations on the Dust Discussion -- > >1. Paleoclimate -- based on (dust-relevant) African contributions to >Atlantic sediments, the Sahara desertification was complete and its sediment >output quasi-steady-state by 5000 years BP. (I think the reference is >deMenocal et al. 2000, Quat. Sci. Rev. 19:347-361) If dust were a reliable >vector there should have been plenty of chances for ecosystem inoculation >before the past decade; alternatively, if this (putative dust-borne >infection) were a statistically unique event in the Quaternary, then there is >probably no way to 'prove' it, but probably also not much reason to worry >about it in the future. > >2. Experimental studies -- I think it would be extremely difficult to devise >any sort of mesocosm test of the dust hypothesis -- in addition to the issue >of how to test for or rule out statistically rare episodic inputs, there is >the serious experimental design problem inherent in the enormous differences >in surface/volume ratios between aquaria and the real ocean. > >If you delivered a realistic oceanic surface dose (g/m2/day) to an aquarium, >the resultant water concentration would be orders of magnitude greater than >in a natural system, and if you tried to generate a realistic oceanic water >column concentration in an aquarium, you would be dealing with an almost >unmanageably small (and therefore probably unrepresentative) input dose. >Further, the high internal (solid) surface to (water) volume ratio of the >aquarium system, combined with low water motion relative to the real ocean, >would confound interpretation of the behavior of particulate contaminants. > >Bob Buddemeier > >Jim Bohnsack wrote: > >> In the various discussions, I did not see the following reference >> mentioned concerning the cause of the Caribbean Diadema die off in 1983. >> >> Bauer, J.C. and C.J. Agerter. 1987. Isolation of bacteria pathogenic >> for the sea urchin Diadema antillarum (Echinodermata: Echinoidea). Bull. >> Mar. Sci. 40(1): 161-165. >> >> It provides evidence that an anaerobic bacteria Clostridium was the >> responsible agent. I believe this study was able to satisfy all but one >> of Koch's postulates. The last one can not be tested because no known >> specimen that actually died in the kill was preserved by freezing. >> >> Also, I vaguely rember (i.e. I can not verify) someone mentioning that >> this kill occurred just after Panama started preventing ships from >> releasing ballast water and other discharges in the Panama Canal. >> Presumably, cruise ships that held sewage in tanks while crossing the >> Isthmus would have plenty of opportunity to build up anoxic conditions >> in their tanks and large abundance of Clostridium. If there is any >> merit to this hypothesis, I hope everyone appreciates the irony of having >> one regulation designed to prevent environmental damage (i.e. protect >> water quality in the Panama Canal) causing great damage elsewhere. >> >> REF: >> >> > Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 10:08:33 -0500 >> > From: Gene Shinn >> > Subject: Dust and other Hypotheses >> > >> > TimesDear Coral Listers, >> > >> > Since there has been so much discussion of the African dust >> > hypothesis on the list in recent weeks, I could resist responding no >> > longer. First, the experiments proposed by Jim Hendee to test African >> > dust effects on corals are similar to ones I have been proposing for at >> > least 5 years. Unfortunately, there is little funding to do such work. >> > In addition, the USGS does not have in place the dust collectors you >> > mention. We sample for microbes using very small samples and collection >> > requires only 10-to-15 minutes. We do no routine monitoring but would >> > if we could. There is no funding for the large expensive samplers >> > needed to provide enough sample for the experiments Jim proposed. >> > Secondly, the major problem with finding the Diadema pathogen is that >> > the pathogen that first killed them has not been identified so we do >> > not know what to look for. It would be possible, however, to test >> > living Diadema against those microbes that have been cultured from dust >> > thus far. >> > >> > I thank Lessios for answering Alina's question regarding survival >> > of West African Diadema. I did not have an answer as elegant as his. I >> > could only suggest that Diadema living so close to the source, like the >> > humans and the Siderastera sp. that survive there, long ago adapted and >> > those that didn't died. Lessios also makes some very valid points >> > regarding water transport of the unknown pathogen. We accept that the >> > Diadema die-off began near the Panama Canal (Lessios et al., 1984, >> > Science, 226:335-337). We also point out that the die-off began in >> > winter when African dust impacts the southern Caribbean, South America >> > and the Panama region and it was also the dustiest year since Prospero >> > began monitoring dust in 1965. The upper Caribbean is impacted later >> > during the summer months. Like Lessios, we believe water transport is >> > very important. How else would it infect Diadema in aquaria (I assume >> > we are talking running seawater aquaria)? Once the Caribbean basin is >> > impacted as shown in the NOAA satellite image in our 4-page info sheet >> > in our website, water currents likely complete the distribution of any >> > pathogens delivered from the air. Areas downcurrent, such as, Belize >> > and Florida, were impacted by the disease after Panama. What has >> > concerned us, however, is how did the pathogen later move hundreds of >> > miles against the Caribbean Current to reach the Lesser Antilles? Dust >> > contamination of the Atlantic seaward of the Antilles and then >> > transport downcurrent to the Antilles seems a reasonable possibility. >> > There is nothing between the Antilles and Africa, and both the wind and >> > the currents move toward the Antilles. More recent studies conducted by >> > microbiologists at our office show that microbial species in dust can >> > change drastically within 30 minutes. Don't expect a dust cloud to >> > deliver the same microbes everywhere at the same time. >> > >> > My main point is that the dust hypothesis is just that, an >> > hypothesis, as are the other proposed causes of Diadema and coral >> > death. The ballast-water origin is an unproven hypothesis, as are the >> > other "usual suspects" that drive coral research funding. This latter >> > point gets back to what Jim pointed out a week earlier regarding the >> > emotional "pollution" word. Where is the original basic research >> > demonstrating the degree of damage done to corals by the "usual >> > suspects," oil spills, sewage, sedimentation, and mosquito spraying, to >> > name a few? We seem to have skipped over the basics and then let >> > assumptions and emotion guide our research and funding agencies. >> > >> > Best Wishes, Gene >> > >> >> ~~~~~~~ >> For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >> digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > >-- >Dr. Robert W. Buddemeier >Kansas Geological Survey >University of Kansas >1930 Constant Avenue >Lawrence, KS 66047 USA >e-mail: buddrw@ku.edu >ph (1) (785) 864-2112 >fax (1) (785) 864-5317 > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Re: Need information on carrying capacity Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 06:53:24 -0500 From: "Duncan MacRae" To: Dear Pedro, I did an extensive study on carrying capacity on Bonaire last year (as yet unpublished). I looked at 40 sites and the amount of damage around the mooring buoys. Some sites had in excess of 25000 divers visiting them and showed far higher diversity and greater 'health' than other sites with very few divers. If you would like to know more, do not hesitate to contact me. I suggest that you are very careful using diver numbers as a management tool, it has tended to open up a large can of worms. Better would be the number of tourists that the local wastewater treatment plants of the area can handle..... Regards, Duncan R. MacRae ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pedro Alcolado" To: Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 10:32 PM Subject: Need information on carrying capacity > Dear Coral lister, > > I need to get information about other papers than Hawskin's and Roberts' > = > (1997) about carrying capacity in coral reef diving. I am participating > = > in the elaboration of tourist diving regulations, and so far I have = > Haskin's and Roberts' figures of 5000-6000 divers/site/year. I think it > = > would be good a figure for begining that could be revised an adjusted = > after subsequent monitoring, but I would like to know about other = > alternative numbers. I would appreciate to receive that information, as > = > well as any relevant comment on the issue. > > Cheers, > Pedro > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 11:12:13 -0500 From: "Mark Vermeij" To: solutions@cozm.co.uk CC: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Dear Duncan, and the rest, Being somewhat familiar with the Bonaire situation I want to raise some caution to that what's suggested in your mail, more diversity and greater health are related to higher number of visiting divers. Although this realtion could well exist, to suggest any sort of mechanistical relationship is probably highly premature. Although one could think of divers as an disturbance that jacks up species numbers (i.e. attraction of fish mainly), the suggestion that diving causes/ increases the attractiveness/ health of a reef should not be proposed as such, as it will likely be used as an "easy" argument in discussions occurring all around the world where the reef and society compete. In itself this would of course be ok, were it not that the relation mentioned above is very likely the result of the "non random distribution" of divers around the island and the unwillingness of dive resorts to go all the way to the "really nice spots" on Bonaire, which will take a considerable trip, that many tourists don't deal with very well. Spots with low diversity are not very attractive for divers, hence they aren't brought over there. The regular dive sites occur on the entire leeward site of Bonaire and take the major amount of visitors. The truly exciting reefs occur on the east side or the north side of the island, but suffer from some serious beating by the trade winds. Needless to say that no resort will throw their visitors of the cliffs on these sides of the island to "enjoy" a really good reef. A pattern no evolves where divers aren't brought to the worst and the best sides, creating a relation at the beginning of this continuum between increasing numbers of divers and overall reef quality. I think this underlying factor needs to be addressed before claims as yours can be made, so one doesn't risk the "justification" of adding large numbers of divers to a reef to save it. Best regards, Mark -- Dr. Mark Vermeij Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (RSMAS/UM) NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Science Center 75 Virginia Beach Dr, Miami, FL 33149 USA Tel: +1 305-361-4230, Fax: +1 305-361-4499 E-mail: Mark.Vermeij@noaa.gov http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/groups/cimas/ ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Re: Need information on carrying capacity Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 11:13:13 -0500 From: "GJ Gast" Organization: Greenpeace To: "Duncan MacRae" , Dear Duncan, 1. Does this mean that building more sewage treatment plants gives coral reefs a higher carrying capacity for tourism? 2. There are no sewage treatment plants on Bonaire. So the allowed number of tourist must be set on zero? I understand that divers carrying capacity is a complicated issue with many varying aspects and that it is hard to come to generally applicable figures. The least one can do is to use the precautionary principle, which in this case means staying way within known safe limits. Using wastewater treatment as a criterium is definately much too simplistic. On the contrary, the wastewater treatment capacity should follow the numbers of tourists and local people. If only that would become reality.... Best wishes, GJ. On 7 Feb 2003, at 6:53, Duncan MacRae wrote: > Dear Pedro, > > I did an extensive study on carrying capacity on Bonaire last year (as > yet unpublished). I looked at 40 sites and the amount of damage around > the mooring buoys. Some sites had in excess of 25000 divers visiting > them and showed far higher diversity and greater 'health' than other > sites with very few divers. If you would like to know more, do not > hesitate to contact me. > > I suggest that you are very careful using diver numbers as a > management tool, it has tended to open up a large can of worms. Better > would be the number of tourists that the local wastewater treatment > plants of the area can handle..... > > Regards, > > Duncan R. MacRae > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Pedro Alcolado" > To: > Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 10:32 PM > Subject: Need information on carrying capacity > > > > Dear Coral lister, > > > > I need to get information about other papers than Hawskin's and > > Roberts' = (1997) about carrying capacity in coral reef diving. I am > > participating = in the elaboration of tourist diving regulations, > > and so far I have = Haskin's and Roberts' figures of 5000-6000 > > divers/site/year. I think it = would be good a figure for begining > > that could be revised an adjusted = after subsequent monitoring, but > > I would like to know about other = alternative numbers. I would > > appreciate to receive that information, as = well as any relevant > > comment on the issue. > > > > Cheers, > > Pedro > > > > ~~~~~~~ > > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html > > . > > > > > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > ========================================================= Dr Gert Jan Gast Seas and Oceans Campaigner, Greenpeace Netherlands Keizersgracht 174, 1016DW Amsterdam, The Netherlands Phone +31 20 5236655 Mobile +31 6 5206 2976 Fax +31 20 6221272 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Re: Need information on carrying capacity Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 11:14:14 -0500 From: Hernandez Edwin To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Dear coral-listers: I partially and respectfully disagree with Duncan MacRae regarding his recommendation of not using diver numbers as a management tool. Under high densities, diver numbers can have a negative effect on coral reef benthic communities. In Puerto Rico, there are still diving schools that take out in some of their trips between 40 and 80 novice divers in a single boat trip. Similarly, we have major hotels in PR that bring bunches of unexperienced snorkellers to shallow reef areas that I have personally seen stepping on living corals everywhere. Novice divers and snorkellers could be extremely destructive in localized reef areas, mostly because they are not familiar with the reefs (and they have not been adequately educated during their trainng, if any at all). They can not adequately control yet their buoyancy, most of them use diving gloves and keep touching everything trying to avoid hitting the bottom, etc. Also, most of the time, diving boats drop anchor on the reef due to the lack of mooring buoys. Thus, these combined effects have a high potential for causing significant destruction. Diver number could affect boat traffic, anchoring, potential for fuel contamination, possible reef trampling to access shore reefs, etc. And, in many instances (e.g., Puerto Rico), this could translate into severe indirect recreational spearfishing effects. Yes, we do still have a LOT of spearfishing diving trips everywhere! Diver number HAS to be taken into consideration because it is not the same having several trips with few experienced and well-trained divers, than to have a bunch of rookies around. I think that to define management of diving activities you have to consider: 1. Overall number of divers. 2. Number of diving trips. 3. Number of divers/trip. 4. Level of diver training. 5. Purpose of diving trip. 6. Ecological conditions of the diving place. 7. Education of reef etiquete and behavior (this should be mandatory). 8. Shoreline entrances to the reef. My research experience (Hernandez-Delgado et al., 2001; Hernandez-Delgado et al., in preparation) has shown that trampling to gain access to deeper reef areas can be extremely destructive in localized areas. And, the higher the number of people, the higher the damage. Thus, diver number is a major part of the carrying capacity formula that should not be left out. Cheers, Edwin ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Re: carrying capacity Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 11:44:10 -0500 From: "david medio" To: "Mark Vermeij" , CC: I do not know Bonaire, but have worked on the issue of carrying capacity and diver damage. At Ras Mohammed National park (possibly the most densily dived spot anywhere on earth) there is no question that a correlation exists between no of divers and reef degradation. The only thing that has made a difference is (a) diver education, (b) no anchors, (c) no boat discharges and limited number of boats per mooring and per site. Cheers. Dr David Medio Environmental Consultant 43 St John Street York YO31 7QR England +44 1904 647202 david@medio.fsnet.co.uk ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Vermeij" To: Cc: Sent: Friday, February 07, 2003 4:12 PM > Dear Duncan, and the rest, > > Being somewhat familiar with the Bonaire situation I want to raise some > caution to that what's suggested in your mail, more diversity and > greater health are related to higher number of visiting divers. Although > this realtion could well exist, to suggest any sort of mechanistical > relationship is probably highly premature. Although one could think of > divers as an disturbance that jacks up species numbers (i.e. attraction > of fish mainly), the suggestion that diving causes/ increases the > attractiveness/ health of a reef should not be proposed as such, as it > will likely be used as an "easy" argument in discussions occurring all > around the world where the reef and society compete. In itself this > would of course be ok, were it not that the relation mentioned above is > very likely the result of the "non random distribution" of divers around > the island and the unwillingness of dive resorts to go all the way to > the "really nice spots" on Bonaire, which will take a considerable trip, > that many tourists don't deal with very well. > Spots with low diversity are not very attractive for divers, hence they > aren't brought over there. The regular dive sites occur on the entire > leeward site of Bonaire and take the major amount of visitors. The > truly exciting reefs occur on the east side or the north side of the > island, but suffer from some serious beating by the trade winds. > Needless to say that no resort will throw their visitors of the cliffs > on these sides of the island to "enjoy" a really good reef. > A pattern no evolves where divers aren't brought to the worst and the > best sides, creating a relation at the beginning of this continuum > between increasing numbers of divers and overall reef quality. I think > this underlying factor needs to be addressed before claims as yours can > be made, so one doesn't risk the "justification" of adding large numbers > of divers to a reef to save it. > > Best regards, > Mark > > -- > Dr. Mark Vermeij > > Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (RSMAS/UM) > > NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Science Center > 75 Virginia Beach Dr, Miami, FL 33149 USA > Tel: +1 305-361-4230, > Fax: +1 305-361-4499 > E-mail: Mark.Vermeij@noaa.gov > > http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/groups/cimas/ > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Reef use and the time element Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 12:15:17 -0500 From: John McManus To: Coral List Regarding reef use and reef health, it is important to account for the time element. In a study of a large number of reef areas in the Philippines, we found very little relationship between coastal density and reef health at first. Then we determined that recent settlements tended to be alongside healthier reefs, and older settlements tended to be along reefs in less good health. An analysis based on this showed good correlations. This supported the idea that people move to healthy coral areas, and then those areas degrade over time. The same would be expected with the dive industry. However, one would need to demonstrate this in a place with a long legacy of dive tourism. see: Pollnac, R.B., McManus, J.W., del Rosario, A. E., Banzon, A.S., Vergara, S.G. and Gorospe, M.L.G. 2000. Unexpected relationships between coral reef health and socio-economic pressures in the Philippines: ReefBase/RAMP applied. Marine & Freshwater Research 51:529-533. Cheers! John John W. McManus, PhD. Director National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research (NCORE) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, Fl. 33149 Phone: 305-361-4814 Fax: 305-361-4910 Email: jmcmanus@rsmas.miami.edu Website: www.ncoremiami.edu ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: RV: Need information on carrying capacity Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 12:43:31 -0500 From: "Pedro Alcolado" To: > Thanks very much, Duncan. It is surprising to know that a coral reef diving > spot visited by 25000 diver in one year still healthy, when in general > recomendations in litterature on carrying capacity do not exceed 10000, with > the exception of San Andres, Colombia, with 29000 (Gallo et al. in prep.; > which also surprised me). You are right about taking more care about > external stress sources (pollution from tourist resorts). Our Environment > Agency is aware about that and we have officially implemented EIAs and > licensing since 1997, which take into account this issue. The problem is > that we are preparing official general regulations for diving even in places > quite far for tourist resorts, and we think that even having very good diver > behaviour regulations and compliance, it would be convenient to set a > precautionary limit in the yearly amount of divers in a dive spot, in oder > to avoid eventual overcrowding by some local turoperators. We have > recommended no more than 4000 diver per year per site, but hearing you > figure I wonder (and worry about) wether we are really limiting the > potential income of country tourist dive bussiness with this relatively low > recommended figure. > Thank you very much again, and please keep helping us on the issue. I send a > copy of this message to Reynaldo Estrada, Director of the National Center of > Protected Areas (CNAP), who is leading the preparation of the dive > regulations, to keep him informed about your interesting comments. > Regards, > Pedro, > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Duncan MacRae > To: > Sent: Friday, February 07, 2003 6:53 AM > Subject: Re: Need information on carrying capacity > > > > Dear Pedro, > > > > I did an extensive study on carrying capacity on Bonaire last year (as yet > > unpublished). I looked at 40 sites and the amount of damage around the > > mooring buoys. Some sites had in excess of 25000 divers visiting them and > > showed far higher diversity and greater 'health' than other sites with > very > > few divers. If you would like to know more, do not hesitate to contact me. > > > > I suggest that you are very careful using diver numbers as a management > > tool, it has tended to open up a large can of worms. Better would be the > > number of tourists that the local wastewater treatment plants of the area > > can handle..... > > > > Regards, > > > > Duncan R. MacRae > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Pedro Alcolado" > > To: > > Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 10:32 PM > > Subject: Need information on carrying capacity > > > > > > > Dear Coral lister, > > > > > > I need to get information about other papers than Hawskin's and Roberts' > > > = > > > (1997) about carrying capacity in coral reef diving. I am participating > > > = > > > in the elaboration of tourist diving regulations, and so far I have = > > > Haskin's and Roberts' figures of 5000-6000 divers/site/year. I think it > > > = > > > would be good a figure for begining that could be revised an adjusted = > > > after subsequent monitoring, but I would like to know about other = > > > alternative numbers. I would appreciate to receive that information, as > > > = > > > well as any relevant comment on the issue. > > > > > > Cheers, > > > Pedro > > > > > > ~~~~~~~ > > > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > > > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > > > > > > > > > > ~~~~~~~ > > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > > > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Re: Need information on carrying capacity Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 12:43:32 -0500 From: "Greg Challenger" To: "GJ Gast" CC: I agree with Mark. Correlation is not causation, although I don't recall that it was suggest= ed. It stands to reason that mooring buoys are purposely placed in areas= that appear to be the most diverse and interesting for divers. Some del= ving into historical data regarding both the reef and the time since buoy= placement at each site, as well as continued monitoring of buoy and cont= rol sites may be necessary to make further inferences. In reference to sewage treatment criterion. I think diver carrying capac= ity can be viewed in the context of other pressures. A reef has an overa= ll carrying capacity, which we may define as a point beyond which communi= ty indices are adversely affected in a measurable or observable way. Div= er carrying capacity alone could vary depending on other stressors. Land= use, point source pollution and others may stress a reef such that diver= influences may be more readily observable. This would be a difficult pr= emise for which to design an experiment. I can think of one, but it would= cost boatloads of dough. =20 Waste water treatment as the only factor determinant in carrying capacity= is too simplistic, but I believe Pedro was just making a point. Diver c= arrying capacity at each site likely varies. This is logical given the d= ynamic and varying ecological indices and anthropogenic factors between a= nd among reefs. =20 ----- Original Message ----- From: GJ Gast Sent: Friday, February 07, 2003 8:24 AM To: Duncan MacRae; coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Subject: Re: Need information on carrying capacity Dear Duncan, 1. Does this mean that building more sewage treatment plants gives =20 coral reefs a higher carrying capacity for tourism? 2. There are no sewage treatment plants on Bonaire. So the allowed =20 number of tourist must be set on zero? I understand that divers carrying capacity is a complicated issue =20 with many varying aspects and that it is hard to come to generally =20 applicable figures. The least one can do is to use the precautionary =20 principle, which in this case means staying way within known safe =20 limits. Using wastewater treatment as a criterium is definately much =20 too simplistic. On the contrary, the wastewater treatment capacity =20 should follow the numbers of tourists and local people. If only that =20 would become reality.... Best wishes, GJ. On 7 Feb 2003, at 6:53, Duncan MacRae wrote: > Dear Pedro, > =20 > I did an extensive study on carrying capacity on Bonaire last year (as > yet unpublished). I looked at 40 sites and the amount of damage around > the mooring buoys. Some sites had in excess of 25000 divers visiting > them and showed far higher diversity and greater 'health' than other > sites with very few divers. If you would like to know more, do not > hesitate to contact me. > =20 > I suggest that you are very careful using diver numbers as a > management tool, it has tended to open up a large can of worms. Better > would be the number of tourists that the local wastewater treatment > plants of the area can handle..... > =20 > Regards, > =20 > Duncan R. MacRae > =20 > =20 > =20 > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Pedro Alcolado" > To: > Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 10:32 PM > Subject: Need information on carrying capacity > =20 > =20 > > Dear Coral lister, > > > > I need to get information about other papers than Hawskin's and > > Roberts' =3D (1997) about carrying capacity in coral reef diving. I a= m > > participating =3D in the elaboration of tourist diving regulations, > > and so far I have =3D Haskin's and Roberts' figures of 5000-6000 > > divers/site/year. I think it =3D would be good a figure for begining > > that could be revised an adjusted =3D after subsequent monitoring, bu= t > > I would like to know about other =3D alternative numbers. I would > > appreciate to receive that information, as =3D well as any relevant > > comment on the issue. > > > > Cheers, > > Pedro > > > > ~~~~~~~ > > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html > > . > > > > > =20 > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > =20 =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D Dr Gert Jan Gast Seas and Oceans Campaigner, Greenpeace Netherlands Keizersgracht 174, 1016DW Amsterdam, The Netherlands Phone +31 20 5236655 Mobile +31 6 5206 2976 Fax +31 20 6221272 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . ------=_NextPart_001_0003_01C2CE8B.CE1A20B0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
I agree = with Mark.
Correlation is not causation, although I don't reca= ll that it was suggested.  It stands to reason that mooring buoys ar= e purposely placed in areas that appear to be the most diverse and intere= sting for divers.  Some delving into historical data regarding both = the reef and the time since buoy placement at each site, as well as conti= nued monitoring of buoy and control sites may be necessary to make furthe= r inferences.
 
In reference to sewage treatme= nt criterion.  I think diver carrying capacity can be viewed in= the context of other pressures.  A reef has an overall carrying cap= acity, which we may define as a point beyond which co= mmunity indices are adversely affected in a measurable or observable way.=   Diver carrying capacity alone could vary depending on other stress= ors.  Land use, point source pollution and others may stress a reef = such that diver influences may be more readily observable.  This wou= ld be a difficult premise for which to design an experiment. I can think = of one, but it would cost boatloads of dough.
 
Waste water treatment as the only factor determinant in carrying capac= ity is too simplistic, but I believe Pedro was just making a point.&= nbsp; Diver carrying capacity at each site likely varies.  This is l= ogical given the dynamic and varying ecological indices and anthropo= genic factors between and among reefs.
= ----- Original Message -----
From: GJ Gast
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2003 8:24 AM
To: Duncan MacRae; coral-list@coral.aom= l.noaa.gov
Subject: Re: Need= information on carrying capacity
 
Dear Duncan,
=
1. Does this mean that building more sewage treatment plants gives coral reefs a higher carrying capacity for tourism?

2. There are= no sewage treatment plants on Bonaire. So the allowed
number of tour= ist must be set on zero?

I understand that divers carrying capacit= y is a complicated issue
with many varying aspects and that it is har= d to come to generally
applicable figures. The least one can do is to= use the precautionary
principle, which in this case means staying wa= y within known safe
limits. Using wastewater treatment as a criterium= is definately much
too simplistic. On the contrary, the wastewater t= reatment capacity
should follow the numbers of tourists and local peo= ple. If only that
would become reality....

Best wishes, GJ.
On 7 Feb 2003, at 6:53, Duncan MacRae wrote:

> Dear Pedro,=
>
> I did an extensive study on carrying capacity on Bonair= e last year (as
> yet unpublished). I looked at 40 sites and the am= ount of damage around
> the mooring buoys. Some sites had in excess= of 25000 divers visiting
> them and showed far higher diversity an= d greater 'health' than other
> sites with very few divers. If you = would like to know more, do not
> hesitate to contact me.
> <= BR>> I suggest that you are very careful using diver numbers as a
&= gt; management tool, it has tended to open up a large can of worms. Bette= r
> would be the number of tourists that the local wastewater treat= ment
> plants of the area can handle.....
>
> Regards,=
>
> Duncan R. MacRae
>
>
>
> ---= -- Original Message -----
> From: "Pedro Alcolado" <alcolado@ama= .cu>
> To: <coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
> Sent: = Tuesday, January 28, 2003 10:32 PM
> Subject: Need information on c= arrying capacity
>
>
> > Dear Coral lister,
>= ; >
> > I need to get information about other papers than Haw= skin's and
> > Roberts' =3D (1997) about carrying capacity in co= ral reef diving. I am
> > participating =3D in the elaboration o= f tourist diving regulations,
> > and so far I have =3D Haskin's= and Roberts' figures of 5000-6000
> > divers/site/year. I think= it =3D would be good a figure for begining
> > that could be re= vised an adjusted =3D after subsequent monitoring, but
> > I wou= ld like to know about other =3D alternative numbers. I would
> >= appreciate to receive that information, as =3D well as any relevant
&= gt; > comment on the issue.
> >
> > Cheers,
> = > Pedro
> >
> > ~~~~~~~
> > For directions = on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the
> > digest= s, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html
> >= ; .
> >
> >
>
> ~~~~~~~
> For direct= ions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the
> digest= s, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html .
> <= BR>

=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Dr Gert Jan Gast
Seas and Oceans = Campaigner, Greenpeace Netherlands
Keizersgracht 174, 1016DW Amsterdam= , The Netherlands
Phone +31 20 5236655
Mobile +31 6 5206 2976
Fa= x +31 20 6221272

~~~~~~~
For directions on subscribing and unsu= bscribing to coral-list or the
digests, please see http://www.coral.no= aa.gov/lists/coral-list.html .
------=_NextPart_001_0003_01C2CE8B.CE1A20B0-- ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Rapid assessment for coral disease Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 10:07:26 -0800 (PST) From: "M.Kathleen Hurley" To: coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov Dear List- I am looking for a rapid assessment method for coral disease in the Dominican Repúblic. I would greatly appreciate any information on a rapid assessment method for assessing coral disease. I am aware of the modified CARICOMP method, but am looking for alternatives. Please respond directly to me. THanks in advance for your help. Kathleen Hurley, M.S. US Fulbright Fellow __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Re: Date: Fri, 07 Feb 2003 16:50:26 -0500 From: "Michael Risk" To: "Mark Vermeij" , solutions@cozm.co.uk CC: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Dear Mark, and Duncan, and the rest: I had already replied to Duncan privately re his posting, but your response has prompted me to make this wider submission. I did NOT read his posting as saying, divers are good for reefs. I'm sure Duncan is way too smart for that. There are many factors involved here, some of which you point out. As divers are taken to good spots, these also tend to have higher diversity, duh. In my experience, divers per se do not produce a lot of stress on reefs. Some of you should dive Sipadan, which receives several 10's of thousands of divers to an island that is only a few acres. We reef scientists need to be clear that what the locals do to attract and keep the divers is far more damaging. Duncan is right on the money when he says, look to the wastewater treatment facilities. All debates on "carrying capacity" need first and foremost to deal with land-based sources before any diver headcounts are attempted. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: USCRTF Meeting 26-27 Feb Date: Fri, 07 Feb 2003 17:53:06 -0500 From: "Heidi Schuttenberg" To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force will hold its 9th meeting in Washington D.C. February 26-27. The meeting is open to the public and participation by all interested stakeholders in encouraged. Participants can register in advanced or on-site during the event. There is no cost for registration. Those interested have the opportunity to exhibit. There will also be an opportunity for public comment. The agenda for the meeting can be found at the Task Force web site: http://coralreef.gov/ Specific contact information about the meeting, exhibiting, and registration can be found in the Federal Register Notice pasted below. with best regards, Heidi Schuttenberg Federal Register Notice, 23 January 2003 Time and Date: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, February 26 and 27, 2003. Place: Departmental Auditorium, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240. Status: The Department of the Interior, as co-chair with the Department of Commerce, on behalf of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (CRTF), announces a public meeting of the Task Force. Composed of the heads of eleven federal agencies and the Governors of seven states, territories, and commonwealths, the Task Force has helped lead U.S. efforts to address the coral reef crisis and sustainably manage the nation's valuable coral reef ecosystems. Matters to be Considered: The CRTF will discuss implementation of the National Plan for Coral Reef Conservation Action, improvements in Task Force operations, and accept public comments. The agenda will be available from the contact person below and published on the web at http://coralreef.gov/ when finalized. Individuals and organizations will have opportunities to register for exhibit space and register to provide public comments limited to less that 5 minutes. Wherever possible, those with similar viewpoints or messages are encouraged to make joint statements. Testimony will be received on the afternoon of February 26. Written statements may also be submitted to the Task Force up to March 14, 2003. Contact Person for More Information: Organizations and individuals desiring to register for public comments or to obtain additional information should contact Patty Myatt, c/o the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife Parks, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW., MS-MIB-3156, Washington, DC 20240, telephone 202-208-6621, email patty_myatt@ios.doi.gov. -- Heidi Schuttenberg Environmental Policy Specialist NOAA Ocean Service Office of Response and Restoration ph: 301-713-2989 x224 fx: 301-713-4389 Subject: carrying capacity and other management approaches Date: Sat, 08 Feb 2003 06:19:42 +0000 From: "Anthony Rouphael" To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Dear Listers Subject: Information requests Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2003 15:24:24 +0700 (ICT) From: "Duncan R. MacRae" To: Dear coral-list, Many people have requested further information from me. I will endearvour to reply to you all and deliver more information no some form as soon as possible. I am in the field until the end of April. Regards, Duncan R. MacRae Director, Coastal Zone Management A co-operative of professionals working in ICZM www.cozm.co.uk solutions@cozm.co.uk Thailand mobile: +66 (0) 668 55676 UK mobile: +44 (0) 7958 230 076 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Re: Coral symbionts Date: Sun, 9 Feb 2003 00:15:07 -0800 From: "Gregor Hodgson" To: "Ivan Marin" , Dear Ivan, Coral reefs in Vietnam are some of the most overfished in the world and the reefs are subject to many other impacts. You may be interested in the following: Thang, H.V., G. Hodgson, E. Hresko, C. Ovel (eds) 1998. Coastal Biodiversity Priorities in Vietnam. Proceedings of the Workshop on Coastal Priorities in Vietnam, Hanoi 4-6 November 1997. Institute for Environment and Sustainable Development Publication 98-02, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong. Vo S.T. and Hodgson G. 1997. Coral reefs of Vietnam: Recruitment limitation and physical forcing. p. 477-482. Vol. 1. In: HA Lessios (ed) Proc. 8th Intl. Coral Reef Symposium, June 24-29, 1996, Panama City, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama. Gregor Hodgson, PhD Director, Reef Check Professor (Visiting) Institute of the Environment 1362 Hershey Hall Mailcode 149607 University of California at Los Angeles Los Angeles CA 90095 USA Tel: (1) 310-794-4985 Fax: (1) 310-825-0758 Email: gregorh@ucla.edu www.ReefCheck.org ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ivan Marin" To: Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2003 7:00 AM Subject: Coral symbionts > Dear Coral-lers, > > Our laboratory has been studing simbiotic relationships between different > sea invertebrates. Personally, I am studing coral-associated crustaceans as one > of the component of coral reef community. Generally, we are interested in all > animals and their complex associated with scleractinian coral colonies. > Since 2001 members of our laboratory has been working in South Vietnam > waters investigating coral reef community and all influinced factors. As one > knows, corals in Vietnam are hardly exploited by fishing, pollution and others, > that why this region is very interesting to study effect of exploitation. My > supervisor, T.A. Brytaev, and I try to investigate the changes in coral > associated communities as factors and indexes of coral community pollution. > Here, we are looking for scientist or societies, who are interested in > cooperation in this topic. We are interested in any contacts with scientists > who make same investigations in other regoins. > > And yet one. Could you help me to find organizations, societies or funds > (their Internet pages), which are supporting and funding different joint > projects, scientific projects on studing coral associated communities and > grants for PhD student to make joint coral reef condition investigations in > Indo-West Pacific. > > > Thank You very much. > > Sincerely yours > > Ph.D. student, Ivan N. Marin > Laboratory of Evolutional Morphology of Marine Invertebrates > (T.Brytaev Laboratory) > A.N. Severtzov Institute of Ecology and Evolution (RAS) > Leninsky pr. 33 > 117071 Moscow > Russia > Fax: 095 954 5534 > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: RE: carrying capacity, LACs and economic values paper Date: Sun, 9 Feb 2003 19:14:54 -0000 From: "Spurgeon, James" To: "'alcolado@ama.cu'" , "'coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov '" Dear Pedro and listers The visitor "carrying capacity" of a coral reef is a function of the following factors: ·Number of people entering the water ·*Means of accessing the water (anchoring, shoreline, boardwalks etc) ·*Activity they undertake (diving, snorkelling, with gloves etc) ·*Visitor experience, training and education ·*Management tools (fines, visitor facilities, restricting access etc) ·Natural physical conditions (depth, topography, currents, waves, etc) ·Type of corals (form and fragility) ·*Extent of other stresses (wastewater, sea temperature etc) ·*Levels of acceptable change (extent of acceptable coral cover etc) Consequently, reef carrying capacities will differ enormously (and Duncan's point is certainly valid). However, for management purposes, generalizations could be made for several different categories of reef. Furthermore, because several factors* can be modified, carrying capacity at any site can be changed significantly. Note that in the Galapagos Islands, a maximum carrying capacity of 20,000 visitors per year was set in 1985. Currently, over 65,000 people visit each year. Through various management measures, associated visitor damage is minor, especially compared to other stresses (e.g. introduction of domestic animals). I've not seen Jamie Oliver's paper, but "limits of acceptable change" is a great concept if you are confident of the cause-effect relationships. This is more the case for terrestrial systems than marine. LAC also requires legislation and management controls strong and flexible enough to allow effective and timely changes in management. Controlling visitor numbers also does significantly affect potential economic, financial and social benefits. For many asscociated reasons it will be better to build up capacity cautiously over time! All these issues are being explored in some current/proposed research: Spurgeon, J. (in prep) "Maximizing benefits and revenues from coral reef management", hopefully culminating in a paper to be presented in Japan. In the near future I'll be looking for partial funding and additional materials to draw upon. Offers for either would be greatly appreciated! In addition to those who requested it a while ago, anyone wanting a pdf copy of Spurgeon J. (2001) "Economic Value of Coral Reefs: The Next Ten Years", let me know. James Spurgeon Executive Environmental Economist/Scientist Jacobs (formerly JacobsGIBB) Tel: +44 (0)118 963 5346 Fax: +44 (0)118 926 3888 E-mail: james.spurgeon@jacobs.com Web: www.jacobs.com www.gibbltd.com ============================================================================== NOTICE - This communication may contain confidential and privileged information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it from your computer. ============================================================================== ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: carrying capacity Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2003 06:50:32 +0500 From: "William Allison" To: Bearing in mind that procedures and standards vary considerably among operations, at several locations I survey diver-caused direct physical damage is trivial . Supervised divers are kept away from the substrate and cause little damage. Unsupervised divers probably cause most of the damage. Considering supervision at a more general level I suspect that owned reefs (resorts) sustain less damage than common property reefs. By way of example, some of the worst behaved divers I have seen have been from live-aboard boats (little direct supervision, common-property-nobody-is-watching situation). Decisions about supervision and degree of access are management tools in Jamie Spurgeon's classification. Snorkelers cause more damage than divers. In general they are unsupervised and have no training about either the biota or snorkeling. Overall, carrying capacity based on diver damage seems to be a minor issue. Much more important seems to be the damage done in the course of constructing and operating the diving tourism infrastructure. Bill William (Bill) Allison Atoll Science Rangas, Violet Magu Male MALDIVES (960) 329667 beliamall@dhivehinet.net.mv Subject: Re: Carrying capacity on Bonaire Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2003 08:05:32 -0500 From: "Duncan R. MacRae" To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Dear Mark, coral listers, It looks like I have managed to raise some useful discussion on this topic, which is needed. It seems that everyone has valid points but a few people are missing the target I put out. I would not been so short sighted as to suggest that: 'more diversity and greater health are related to higher number of visiting divers'. .... perhaps I should clarify myself further. The key issue I was addressing was the use of diver numbers as a management tool. If managers start to put a figure on how many divers can visit a reef, then many people involved in the dive industry will see this as a green light to fill the reefs to 'capacity'- not the best situation. Or, the tourism industry in an area may be unfairly penalised by strict visitor regulations. By refraining from using head counts, we are in effect already applying the precautionary principle. My point was that there are far more important factors to be addressed in most areas of coral reef than to count diver numbers. One key point that I noticed in the literature was the lack of information on how much 'actual' damage divers cause and its significance for reef ecology. Various studies have been done counting the amount of contact, contact on different topographies, types of damage, amount of contact by different levels of experience etc etc. I could only find one reference that looked at how much damaged was caused to a colony from repeated touching and scraping (Talge 1992). So back to the point that using carrying capacity numbers for divers as a management tool is not as problem free as it may first seem. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: RE: carrying capacity, LACs and economic values paper Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2003 08:20:47 -0500 From: "Jaap, Walt" To: , There is a recent economic evaluation of southeast Florida reef economics, very detailed: Socioeconomic study of reefs in southeast Florida. Final report: Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach Counties, Principal investigators: G.M. Johns, V.R. Leeworthy, F.W. Bell, and M.A. Bonn (all of these individuals are academic economists). Six chapters, six appendices, available through Hazen and Sawyer, 4000 Hollywood Blvd., 7th floor, north tower, Hollywood, FL 33021, USA. - ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Carrying capacity vs. usage, re: Bonaire Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2003 12:11:03 -0800 (PST) From: Melissa Keyes To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Hello Listers, Concerning recreational divers on Bonaire in microcosm, I have been diving these reefs daily since mid-August 2002. The damage done by thousands of recreational divers cannot compare to the daily damage done by the local fishermen who are liscensed to drop big rocks on the coral as anchors for their little boats. They do not use the old bent-rebar anchors, which cause much more damage, but they systematically go along the entire reef system, moving from place to place by lifting their rocks, or cinderblocks, and letting them bounce along the coral to the next stop. Or sometimes they actually pull the rocks out of the water onto their boats, which is hard work, as these are twenty pound monsters, not pebbles. And when the ?-quarter inch cotton string that's their anchor line breaks, or gets tangled, whoops, there it goes into the sea, strangling and scraping, unseen to them, everything it catches on. I've wished I could stay in fourty-fifty-sixty feet of water on Scuba for the entire morning to video and document just one day's damage one fisherman does. I bet if the broken and upturned stony corals, 'soft' corals, and sponges could be quantified into year's growth destroyed, it would be in the low hundreds for each day's catch, which soon will be nothing but Damsel fish. A standard piece of dive equipment for me is scissors to cut fishing line off coral. I really like this Island, but the Park gets much more credit than it deserves. The residents, fish and critters, have not been protected. I won't go into the issue of the locals who I've seen illegally spearfishing, the dearth of sizeable fish, or the near-total absence of fish in the "Reserve", in which I dove once to help out with a yearly survey. But then, the Reserve did have really beautiful coral. No fish larger than three centimeters, an amazing sight, but really beautiful coral. My question: Does a coral reef need fish? Regards, Melissa Keyes, s/v Vinga, Bonaire/St. Croix ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now Subject: ICRIN's Coral Reef Directory Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2003 16:40:31 -0800 From: Sherry Flumerfelt To: Dear Ivan, Have you tried searching ICRIN's International Directory of Coral Reef Organizations (http://directory.coralreef.org/)? This is a database of hundreds of organizations from around the world that work on coral reef related issues, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs), research institutions, aquariums, marine protected areas (MPAs), government agencies, international programs and more. If you type "Vietnam" in the keyword search, you will come up with organizations that work in that region. This database is a work in progress. If your coral reef organization is not yet listed, please add it to the Directory by clicking "Add Your Organization" and answering the questions. If your organization is already listed and you would like to add additional information, click "Edit Your Organization." If you do not know your email login and password, please contact ngo@coral.org. Best of luck. Sherry Flumerfelt Program Coordinator ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) 417 Montgomery Street, Suite 205 San Francisco, CA 94104 Phone: 415-834-0900 ext. 306 Fax: 415-834-0999 Email: sflumerfelt@coral.org Web site: http://www.coral.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Have you signed the Dive In Pledge yet? Show that you care about coral reefs. http://www.coral.org/diveinpledge.html > > coral-list-daily Monday, February 10 2003 Volume 03 : Number 029 > > > > Re: Coral symbionts > RE: carrying capacity, LACs and economic values paper > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Date: Sun, 9 Feb 2003 00:15:07 -0800 > From: "Gregor Hodgson" > Subject: Re: Coral symbionts > > Dear Ivan, > > Coral reefs in Vietnam are some of the most overfished in the world and the > reefs are subject to many other impacts. You may be interested in the > following: > > > > Thang, H.V., G. Hodgson, E. Hresko, C. Ovel (eds) 1998. Coastal Biodiversity > Priorities in Vietnam. Proceedings of the Workshop on Coastal Priorities in > Vietnam, Hanoi 4-6 November 1997. Institute for Environment and Sustainable > Development Publication 98-02, Hong Kong University of Science and > Technology, Hong Kong. > > > > Vo S.T. and Hodgson G. 1997. Coral reefs of Vietnam: Recruitment limitation > and physical forcing. p. 477-482. Vol. 1. In: HA Lessios (ed) Proc. 8th > Intl. Coral Reef Symposium, June 24-29, 1996, Panama City, Smithsonian > Tropical Research Institute, Panama. > > > > Gregor Hodgson, PhD > Director, Reef Check > Professor (Visiting) > Institute of the Environment > 1362 Hershey Hall Mailcode 149607 > University of California at Los Angeles > Los Angeles CA 90095 USA > > Tel: (1) 310-794-4985 Fax: (1) 310-825-0758 > Email: gregorh@ucla.edu > www.ReefCheck.org > > > > > > - ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Ivan Marin" > To: > Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2003 7:00 AM > Subject: Coral symbionts > > >> Dear Coral-lers, >> >> Our laboratory has been studing simbiotic relationships between > different >> sea invertebrates. Personally, I am studing coral-associated crustaceans > as one >> of the component of coral reef community. Generally, we are interested in > all >> animals and their complex associated with scleractinian coral colonies. >> Since 2001 members of our laboratory has been working in South Vietnam >> waters investigating coral reef community and all influinced factors. As > one >> knows, corals in Vietnam are hardly exploited by fishing, pollution and > others, >> that why this region is very interesting to study effect of exploitation. > My >> supervisor, T.A. Brytaev, and I try to investigate the changes in coral >> associated communities as factors and indexes of coral community > pollution. >> Here, we are looking for scientist or societies, who are interested in >> cooperation in this topic. We are interested in any contacts with > scientists >> who make same investigations in other regoins. >> >> And yet one. Could you help me to find organizations, societies or > funds >> (their Internet pages), which are supporting and funding different joint >> projects, scientific projects on studing coral associated communities and >> grants for PhD student to make joint coral reef condition investigations > in >> Indo-West Pacific. >> >> >> Thank You very much. >> >> Sincerely yours >> >> Ph.D. student, Ivan N. Marin >> Laboratory of Evolutional Morphology of Marine Invertebrates >> (T.Brytaev Laboratory) >> A.N. Severtzov Institute of Ecology and Evolution (RAS) >> Leninsky pr. 33 >> 117071 Moscow >> Russia >> Fax: 095 954 5534 >> >> ~~~~~~~ >> For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the >> digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . >> > > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Sun, 9 Feb 2003 19:14:54 -0000 > From: "Spurgeon, James" > Subject: RE: carrying capacity, LACs and economic values paper > > Dear Pedro and listers > > The visitor "carrying capacity" of a coral reef is a function of the > following factors: > > ·Number of people entering the water > ·*Means of accessing the water (anchoring, shoreline, boardwalks etc) > ·*Activity they undertake (diving, snorkelling, with gloves etc) > ·*Visitor experience, training and education > ·*Management tools (fines, visitor facilities, restricting access etc) > ·Natural physical conditions (depth, topography, currents, waves, etc) > ·Type of corals (form and fragility) > ·*Extent of other stresses (wastewater, sea temperature etc) > ·*Levels of acceptable change (extent of acceptable coral cover etc) > > Consequently, reef carrying capacities will differ enormously (and Duncan's > point is certainly valid). However, for management purposes, > generalizations could be made for several different categories of reef. > > Furthermore, because several factors* can be modified, carrying capacity at > any site can be changed significantly. Note that in the Galapagos Islands, a > maximum carrying capacity of 20,000 visitors per year was set in 1985. > Currently, over 65,000 people visit each year. Through various management > measures, associated visitor damage is minor, especially compared to other > stresses (e.g. introduction of domestic animals). > > I've not seen Jamie Oliver's paper, but "limits of acceptable change" is a > great concept if you are confident of the cause-effect relationships. This > is more the case for terrestrial systems than marine. LAC also requires > legislation and management controls strong and flexible enough to allow > effective and timely changes in management. > > Controlling visitor numbers also does significantly affect potential > economic, financial and social benefits. For many asscociated reasons it > will be better to build up capacity cautiously over time! > > All these issues are being explored in some current/proposed research: > Spurgeon, J. (in prep) "Maximizing benefits and revenues from coral reef > management", hopefully culminating in a paper to be presented in Japan. In > the near future I'll be looking for partial funding and additional materials > to draw upon. Offers for either would be greatly appreciated! > > In addition to those who requested it a while ago, anyone wanting a pdf copy > of Spurgeon J. (2001) "Economic Value of Coral Reefs: The Next Ten Years", > let me know. > > James Spurgeon > Executive Environmental Economist/Scientist > > Jacobs (formerly JacobsGIBB) > Tel: +44 (0)118 963 5346 > Fax: +44 (0)118 926 3888 > E-mail: james.spurgeon@jacobs.com > Web: www.jacobs.com > www.gibbltd.com > > > > > ============================================================================== > NOTICE - This communication may contain confidential and privileged > information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any viewing, > copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by unintended > recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in > error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it > from your computer. > > ============================================================================== > > > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > > ------------------------------ > > End of coral-list-daily V3 #29 > ****************************** > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Support for access to European museum collections Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2003 18:03:08 +0100 From: "Hoeksema, B.W." To: "Coral List" > Apologies for cross-postings. > > Dear Colleague, > > Under the 6th Framework Programme (FP6) of the European Commission (2002-2006), a proposal is in preparation to the Specific Programme on Structuring the European Research Area. The purpose of the proposal is to create a network of a number of institutions holding important biological research collections throughout Europe. The proposal, which is being prepared in the framework of the Consortium of European Taxonomic Facilities (CETAF), is intended to provide access with financial support for visiting researchers to the collections of the participating organisations. > > The proposal to the European Commission has to demonstrate a > "> European Research Institution> "> status of our museum. To obtain this status we have to show (through letters of support) that there is a high degree of scientific and/or social interest in having access to our museum and to the other partners in the proposal. > > If for any future work, you or a colleague should need access to our museum or one of the other institutions (see attached list), I kindly request that you send a letter of support. Your letter of support should specify why you want to have access and which institutions you want to visit. With respect to the institutions to visit, you are invited to mention the National Museum of Natural History, Leiden (we hold many (type) specimens of Cnidaria), and any additional institute that is relevant for your research (see attached list). > > Enclosed is an example of a support letter that can be used as a guide, if you find it suitable for your needs. Please, spread this information also to your colleagues. Letters of support should be sent by e-mail, fax or letter to the chair of the Consortium of European Taxonomic Facilities (CETAF). An example of such a letter with the address is in the annex. I invite you to send the letter of support at short term, but not later than 7 March 2003. > > Thanking you in advance for your interest. > > Bert W. Hoeksema (Head, Department of Invertebrates) > Leendert P. van Ofwegen (Curator, Coelenterates Section) > > National Museum of Natural History Naturalis > P.O. Box 9517 > 2300 RA Leiden > The Netherlands > Tel. +31.71.5687631 > Fax +31.71.5687666 > E-mail: Hoeksema@naturalis.nnm.nl > > The infrastructures listed below are expected to be members of the network to which Access grants for visitors will be applied for. > > Country Infrastructures > Austria Naturhistorisches Museum, Vienna > Belgium Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles, Brussels Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren National Botanic Garden of Belgium, Meise > > Germany Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin > Denmark University of Copenhagen, COBICE > Spain Museo Nacional Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid Real Jardín Botánico, CSIC, Madrid > France Muséum national d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris > Hungary Hungarian Museum of Natural History, Budapest > Netherlands Zoological Museum, University of Amsterdam & National Natural History Museum Naturalis National Herbarium Netherlands, Leiden Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Utrecht > Poland Museum and Institute of Zooology, PAS, Warsaw > Sweden Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm > United Kingdom The Natural History Museum, London Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh > > > > Sample > > > > To: Dr. Henrik Enghoff (Chair) > Consortium of European Taxonomic Facilities (CETAF) > Zoologisk Museum > Universitetsparken 15 > DK-2100 Copenhaguen OE > Denmark > > Email: henghoff@zmuc.ku.dk > Fax: + 45 35 32 10 10 > > Dear Dr. Enghoff, > > For my research on [subject / taxonomic group], I need access to specimens [from the region X] held in the collections of > {Please enter the National Museum of Natural History, Leiden, and any other relevant museum from the attached list].> > > Research visits are especially important as the [well curated/unique/diverse/type] collections and the experts at the institutes are crucial for the progress in my scientific work. > > I am looking forward to establishing cooperationships with the mentioned institutes, and I support the initiative of your network to facilitate access to their collection facilities. > > > Yours sincerily, > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Requests for paper on "economic value of corals - 10 years on" Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2003 12:38:02 -0000 From: "Spurgeon, James" To: "'coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov'" Dear Listers Many apologies for having to respond via the coral list, but I am currently working in Kazakhstan (developing a GIS based water resources optimisation model), and sending emails takes forever. I will send the pdf to all those requesting it when I return to the UK in 2 weeks. For those who asked, it cannot be downloaded from a web site, and I don't know the size of the file. For those interested, the Kazak approach for increasing the carrying capacity for swimming in rivers at the moment (eg last weekend when it was -26C), is to simply make the holes in the ice bigger. There is little need to restrict how long people stay in the water! Best wishes James -----Original Message----- From: M.C. Ricardo Muñoz Chagín To: Spurgeon, James Sent: 10/02/2003 17:46 Subject: RE: carrying capacity, LACs and economic values paper James Spurgeon: I am interested in a pdf copy of Spurgeon J. (2001) "Economic Value of Coral Reefs: The Next Ten Years" Thanks in advance. M.C. Ricardo Muñoz Ecología y Manejo de Sistemas Arrecifales, S.C.P. Mérida,Yucatán, México -----Mensaje original----- De: owner-coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov [mailto:owner-coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov] En nombre de Spurgeon, James Enviado el: Domingo, 09 de Febrero de 2003 01:15 p.m. Para: 'alcolado@ama.cu'; 'coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov ' Asunto: RE: carrying capacity, LACs and economic values paper Dear Pedro and listers The visitor "carrying capacity" of a coral reef is a function of the following factors: ·Number of people entering the water ·*Means of accessing the water (anchoring, shoreline, boardwalks etc) ·*Activity they undertake (diving, snorkelling, with gloves etc) ·*Visitor experience, training and education ·*Management tools (fines, visitor facilities, restricting access etc) ·Natural physical conditions (depth, topography, currents, waves, etc) ·Type of corals (form and fragility) ·*Extent of other stresses (wastewater, sea temperature etc) ·*Levels of acceptable change (extent of acceptable coral cover etc) Consequently, reef carrying capacities will differ enormously (and Duncan's point is certainly valid). However, for management purposes, generalizations could be made for several different categories of reef. Furthermore, because several factors* can be modified, carrying capacity at any site can be changed significantly. Note that in the Galapagos Islands, a maximum carrying capacity of 20,000 visitors per year was set in 1985. Currently, over 65,000 people visit each year. Through various management measures, associated visitor damage is minor, especially compared to other stresses (e.g. introduction of domestic animals). I've not seen Jamie Oliver's paper, but "limits of acceptable change" is a great concept if you are confident of the cause-effect relationships. This is more the case for terrestrial systems than marine. LAC also requires legislation and management controls strong and flexible enough to allow effective and timely changes in management. Controlling visitor numbers also does significantly affect potential economic, financial and social benefits. For many asscociated reasons it will be better to build up capacity cautiously over time! All these issues are being explored in some current/proposed research: Spurgeon, J. (in prep) "Maximizing benefits and revenues from coral reef management", hopefully culminating in a paper to be presented in Japan. In the near future I'll be looking for partial funding and additional materials to draw upon. Offers for either would be greatly appreciated! In addition to those who requested it a while ago, anyone wanting a pdf copy of Spurgeon J. (2001) "Economic Value of Coral Reefs: The Next Ten Years", let me know. James Spurgeon Executive Environmental Economist/Scientist Jacobs (formerly JacobsGIBB) Tel: +44 (0)118 963 5346 Fax: +44 (0)118 926 3888 E-mail: james.spurgeon@jacobs.com Web: www.jacobs.com www.gibbltd.com ======================================================================== ====== NOTICE - This communication may contain confidential and privileged information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it from your computer. ======================================================================== ====== ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . ============================================================================== NOTICE - This communication may contain confidential and privileged information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it from your computer. ============================================================================== ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: histology technique for corals? Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2003 10:53:07 -0800 From: "Mike Matz" To: Hello all, I would greatly appreciate if you could direct me to the state-of-the-art coral histology techniques (sample separation from the colony, fixation, cutting, staining, viewing). We want to look at some Faviids. thanks in advance Mike Matz Whitney Lab, university of Florida Subject: carrying capacity Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2003 19:00:33 -0400 From: "Tom van't Hof" To: The question by Pedro Alcolado has stirred up quite a bit of discussion, which is good. I think we need to defer judgment on Duncan McRae's study until the results are available for review by the scientific community, but I just want to say this: while the lack of sewage treatment in Bonaire is certainly a very important issue, in particular for the reefs near the developed area, it's a little too easy to blame just sewage and not the entire realm of activities and needs of divers and snorkellers. Until we have hard data to reject the guideline of 5,000 - 6,000 divers per site per year proposed by Roberts et al., let's be careful in adopting new estimates. None of the high-use sites in the Dixon et al. and the Roberts et al. studies were anywhere near sewage discharges. Having said that, I would also like to strongly support the application of the Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) approach as an alternative to traditional carrying capacity estimates, which aim at numbers. LAC really is a management planning tool, and while it has only been applied to a MPA once to my knowledge (the Saba Marine Park, Netherlands Antilles), it does have tremendous potential and merits. The key to the success of a LAC planning framework, however, is the degree to which monitoring is carried out in order to determine whether or not any standards may have been violated and the willingness of the stakeholder community to implement the previously agreed management interventions if standards are being violated. Stankey, Cole, McCool and others have published many papers on the applicability of the LAC framework, including a generic LAC process which I find very useful, also for MPA management planning. ************************************************************************************************************** Tom van't Hof Marine & Coastal Resource Management Consulting The Bottom, Saba Netherlands Antilles Tel. (599) 416-3348 Fax (599) 416-3299 e-mail tomvanthof@hotmail.com "Specializing in marine protected areas since 1979." Resume, references and project history at http://www.irf.org/hof.htm Subject: Tropical Marine Ecology Course in Akumal, Mexico Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 10:38:09 -0500 From: Drew Harvell To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov CC: kiho@american.edu, kmh34@cornell.edu, lhj1@cornell.edu > SHOALS MARINE LABORATORY (Cornell University / University of New > Hampshire) > announces the continuation of its on-going course on the Yucatan > Peninsula, in Akumal, Mexico: > > Tropical Marine Science > > Dates: June 16 - July 14, 2003 > > … Semester Credits Earned: 6 > > … Cost: $3,200 (this price does not include airfare or meals > while in Akumal) > > … Cornell course numbers: BIOSM 418 > > > Prerequisites: Recognized SCUBA certification, a medical examination, one > full year of college level biology, and permission of instructors. This is > a course designed for students interested in learning about coral reef > ecology and conservation in an environment where these topics are of > immediate concern. Students will spend four weeks in Akumal, Mexico, a > small resort town located about 60 miles south of Cancun on the Caribbean > coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Housing will be provided by the Centro > Ecologico Akumal (http://www.ceakumal.org/), a local organization > dedicated to the sustainable development of Akumal and the protection of > its coral reefs. Akumal is a developing center for research in coral reef > biology and ecology. Limited to 15 students. > > The first two weeks will be spent studying basic coral reef ecology and > learning the benthic fauna of the local reefs. During the following two > weeks, students will participate in a reef monitoring project that will > aid in the establishment of a marine park in Akumal. TMS students will > have the opportunity to interact with the scientists involved in this > research through discussions and field work. > > Faculty involved with the course this summer include Professors Kiho Kim > (American University), Garriet Smith (University of South Carolina), Sean > Grace (Salve Regina) and Drew Harvell (Cornell University). > > For a detailed course description, please go to: > http://www.sml.cornell.edu/college/pc-cctms.htm > For more information, please contact Laurie Johnson via email: lhj1@cornell.edu -- Drew Harvell Professor Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology E- 321 Corson Hall Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 VOICE: 607-254-4274 FAX: 607-255-8088 email:cdh5@cornell.edu http://www.eeb.cornell.edu/harvell/harvell.html Subject: ISRS Subsidized Memberships Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 10:59:51 -0600 (CST) From: "Richard B. Aronson" To: Coral-List Each year the International Society for Reef Studies offers several partial subsidies of memberships. If you are interested in financial assistance with an ISRS membership, please see: http://www.uncwil.edu/isrs/membership.html Applications should be sent to Dr. Peter Mumby, ISRS Corresponding Secretary, at P.J.Mumby@exeter.ac.uk. The deadline for applications is March 1st. Rich Aronson Vice President International Society for Reef Studies ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: NCORE update and new website Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 14:27:16 -0500 From: "John McManus" To: "Coral-List" NCORE is pleased to welcome aboard two key personnel and a NEW website: Dr. Johanna Polsenberg, Assistant Director, has worked in tropical ecosystems in Australia, Indonesia and elsewhere, and was formerly with the US Congressional Staff as a specialist and speaker on "Science and the Public". Felimon "Nonong" Gayanilo, Senior Software Engineer, has worked with ICLARM (now the World Fish Center) and the University of British Columbia, and is most well-known as the software developer of the FAO/ICLARM Fisat and Fisat II packages, which are used for fisheries analysis in many countries (http://www.fao.org/fi/statist/fisoft/fisat/index.htm). He will play a key role in our program to develop Dynamic Decision Support Systems for coral reefs, which will integrate hydrodynamic, ecological and socioeconomic simulation models into 3D Geographic Information Systems. This tool development is a core element of the CARRUS Alliance, a Comparative Analysis of Reef Resilience Under Stress, which will involve independently-funded research teams conducting long-term studies of major reef systems under agreements for the exchange of software, methods, data, and results. Further information can be found at our NEW website, www.ncoremiami.org. This site is expected to change quarterly, as online, highly detailed GIS systems are developed for our focal reef areas. Cheers! John _________________________________________________________ John W. McManus, PhD Director, National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research (NCORE) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (RSMAS) University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, Florida 33149. jmcmanus@rsmas.miami.edu Tel. (305) 361-4814 Fax (305) 361-4910 www.ncoremiami.org ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Tortugas Shrimping Violation Brings $20,000 Penalty Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 17:03:06 -0500 From: "Cheva Heck" To: "'coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov '" NOAA03-R404 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FEBRUARY 13, 2003 CONTACT: Cheva Heck Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary 305.292.0311, ext. 26 305.304.0179 (cell) TORTUGAS ECOLOGICAL RESERVE VIOLATION BRINGS $20,000 PENALTY NOAA Cites Owner and Operator of Shrimp Trawler Attorneys for the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have issued a $20,000 civil penalty in the case of a vessel cited for illegal shrimp trawling in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s protected Tortugas Ecological Reserve last December. Christine Ho of Abbeville, La., owner of the Fishing Vessel Miss Christine V, and vessel captain Cu T. Nguyen of Port Arthur, Texas, face a combined penalty in the incident. The Coast Guard vessel Nantucket cited the Miss Christine V on Dec. 16, 2002. The Nantucket escorted the Miss Christine V to Key West, where its catch of 1,117 lbs. of pink shrimp was seized and sold by a NOAA agent. The $1,733.38 proceeds from the sale remain in escrow pending settlement of the case. Five days previously, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers had cited the Miss Christine V for illegal shrimp trawling inside the Tortugas Shrimp Sanctuary, a cooperative closure between the State of Florida and the Department of Commerce. “Once again, we thank the United States Coast Guard for helping to provide the effective enforcement that is critical to the success of the Tortugas Ecological Reserve,” said Sanctuary Superintendent Billy Causey. “Law-abiding commercial and recreational fishermen, who are by far the majority, deserve to know that those who violate the reserve’s protections will pay the price.” The Tortugas Ecological Reserve, established in 2001, protects 151 square nautical miles of deep coral reefs and other essential habitat for fish and other marine life. The reserve is the largest of the sanctuary’s network of 24 “no-take” areas set aside to protect habitat and preserve the diversity of marine life in the coral reef ecosystem of the Florida Keys. NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) seeks to increase the public awareness of America’s maritime heritage by conducting scientific research, monitoring, exploration and educational programs. Today, 13 national marine sanctuaries encompass more than 18,000 square miles of America’s ocean and Great Lakes natural and cultural resources. In addition, the NMSP is conducting a sanctuary designation process to incorporate the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve into the national sanctuary system. NOAA National Ocean Service (NOAA Oceans and Coasts) manages the National Marine Sanctuary Program and is dedicated to exploring, understanding, conserving and restoring the nation’s coasts and oceans. NOAA Oceans and Coasts balances environmental protection with economic prosperity in fulfilling its mission of promoting safe navigation, supporting coastal communities, sustaining coastal habitats and mitigating coastal hazards. The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources. On the internet: NOAA - http://www.noaa.gov NOAA Oceans and Coasts - http://www.nos.noaa.gov Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary - http://www.fknms.nos.noaa.gov ### Subject: Hybridization in Acropora Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 11:53:26 -0500 From: "Pedro Alcolado" To: Dear listers, I was fascinated reading Vollmer and Palumbi´s recent paper on hybridization of Acropora palmata and cervicornis. It establishes clearly and convincingly the facts of that issue. But reading this paper I remembered an anecdote of mine. A few years ago I was visisting quite frequently (for different reasons, once staying 10 days there working on sponges) the nice Aquarium of Xcaret, Cancun. I was witness of something I think is amazing. In the big bowl representing the reef crest, there was a trasplanted Acropora palmata colony (the biggest one among others). There was full illumination and a wave simulator, with good water circulation there. I was able to observe how that colony was slowly being transformed in a prolifera bushy-palmate like fenotype. The ends of the palmate branches began to show short arising (in the same plane of the branch top) acute branches typical of prolifera, and the skeleton remaining between them becoming quite traslucent (looking like a duck foot illuminated at the opposite site). I wonder what was the final outcome of this gradual transformation. I observed that about 4 years (maybe less or more, I do not remember exactly) after I saw this colony for the first time. I would suggest that appart from well proved genetically derived prolifera like fenotypes, some kinds of changes in environmental variables (at least in acquarium conditions) would be able to lead also to the same bushy-palmate fenotype (maybe due to weaker hidrodynamic regime). Really interesting, no? Best wishes, Pedro Alcolado Subject: Re: Hybridization in Acropora Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 12:47:22 -0500 From: "Sam Jones" To: "Pedro Alcolado" , Hi Pedro, Very interesting observation indeed. Thank you for sharing it. I continue to marvel at the phenotypic plasticity of corals. I've noticed a number of interspecific morphological differences in both the field and in the lab, cultured corals. Without a doubt, environmental conditions within an aquarium (or the field) can influence a number of coral physiological properties to include branch spacing, coloration, growth rates, growth forms, etc. The spectral quality and quantity of light (GFP, MAA, Symbiodinium concentration/type), nutrients (Symbiodinium growth rates), various water circulation properties (e.g. speed, laminar vs. oscillatory, etc.), general system chemistry, etc. are some of the environmental parameters that can be 'tweaked.' It's possible to take a single colony of a highly phenotypically plastic coral head (e.g. P. damicornis), put fragments of the colony under different environmental conditions, and observe different physiological responses. The Aquarium is a wonderful place to do this kind of work. If you get a chance, you may want to check our Veron and Pichon's "Scleractinia of Eastern Australia", Part 1, Families Thamnasteriidae, Astrocoeniidae, and Pocilloporidae; this book demonstrates quite nicely the impressive array of interspecific morphologies from corals under various environmental conditions. Sam Jones Manager, Ex Situ Coral Conservation Research Laboratory Wildlife Conservation Society The New York Aquarium Osborn Laboratories of Marine Sciences Boardwalk at West 8th St. Brooklyn, NY 11224 Subject: Re: Hybridization in Acropora Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 12:16:15 -0600 From: "Robert W. Buddemeier" Organization: KGS To: Sam Jones CC: Pedro Alcolado , coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov On this topic, if you have not already seen it you might be interested in: Carlson BA (1999) Organism responses to rapid change: what aquaria tell us about nature. American Zoologist 39:44-55 Bob Buddemeier Sam Jones wrote: > Hi Pedro, > Very interesting observation indeed. Thank you for sharing it. I > continue to marvel at the phenotypic plasticity of corals. I've > noticed a number of interspecific morphological differences in both > the field and in the lab, cultured corals. Without a doubt, > environmental conditions within an aquarium (or the field) can > influence a number of coral physiological properties to include branch > spacing, coloration, growth rates, growth forms, etc. The spectral > quality and quantity of light (GFP, MAA, Symbiodinium > concentration/type), nutrients (Symbiodinium growth rates), various > water circulation properties (e.g. speed, laminar vs. oscillatory, > etc.), general system chemistry, etc. are some of the environmental > parameters that can be 'tweaked.' It's possible to take a single > colony of a highly phenotypically plastic coral head (e.g. P. > damicornis), put fragments of the colony under different environmental > conditions, and observe different physiological responses. The > Aquarium is a wonderful place to do this kind of work. If you get a > chance, you may want to check our Veron and Pichon's "Scleractinia of > Eastern Australia", Part 1, Families Thamnasteriidae, Astrocoeniidae, > and Pocilloporidae; this book demonstrates quite nicely the impressive > array of interspecific morphologies from corals under various > environmental conditions. > Sam Jones > > Manager, Ex Situ Coral Conservation Research Laboratory > Wildlife Conservation Society > The New York Aquarium > Osborn Laboratories of Marine Sciences > Boardwalk at West 8th St. > Brooklyn, NY 11224 > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Pedro Alcolado > To: coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov > Sent: Friday, February 14, 2003 11:53 AM > Subject: Hybridization in Acropora > > Dear listers, > I was fascinated reading Vollmer and Palumbi´s recent paper on > hybridization of Acropora palmata and cervicornis. It establishes > clearly and convincingly the facts of that issue. But reading this > paper I remembered an anecdote of mine. A few years ago I was > visisting quite frequently (for different reasons, once staying 10 > days there working on sponges) the nice Aquarium of Xcaret, > Cancun. I was witness of something I think is amazing. In the big > bowl representing the reef crest, there was a trasplanted Acropora > palmata colony (the biggest one among others). There was full > illumination and a wave simulator, with good water circulation > there. I was able to observe how that colony was slowly being > transformed in a prolifera bushy-palmate like fenotype. The ends > of the palmate branches began to show short arising (in the same > plane of the branch top) acute branches typical of prolifera, and > the skeleton remaining between them becoming quite traslucent > (looking like a duck foot illuminated at the opposite site). I > wonder what was the final outcome of this gradual transformation. > I observed that about 4 years (maybe less or more, I do not > remember exactly) after I saw this colony for the first time. I > would suggest that appart from well proved genetically derived > prolifera like fenotypes, some kinds of changes in environmental > variables (at least in acquarium conditions) would be able to lead > also to the same bushy-palmate fenotype (maybe due to weaker > hidrodynamic regime). Really interesting, no? > Best wishes, > Pedro Alcolado > > -- Dr. Robert W. Buddemeier Kansas Geological Survey University of Kansas 1930 Constant Avenue Lawrence, KS 66047 USA e-mail: buddrw@ku.edu ph (1) (785) 864-2112 fax (1) (785) 864-5317 ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Re: Hybridization in Acropora Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 13:35:55 -0500 From: "Dana Williams" Organization: RSMAS/CIMAS To: Pedro Alcolado CC: coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov Pedro- If I understood your description, I have seen this in some colonies that I have been monitoring for the past 9 months. In these colonies I have seen the translucent type skeleton between the 'acute' branches become filled in and ultimately ends up looking like a typical A. palmata branch tip. It seems as though some colonies elongate their branches by laying down the framework then going back and filling it in, whereas others do it all in one 'step'. My observations so far suggest to me that there are perhaps different genotypes that vary in the way they build their skeleton rather than hydrodynamic or light differences because not all individuals in an area display this appearance... That is my two cents worth (with the caveat of a relatively short, but repeated observations)! Dana Williams Pedro Alcolado wrote: > Dear listers,I was fascinated reading Vollmer and Palumbi´s recent paper > on hybridization of Acropora palmata and cervicornis. It establishes > clearly and convincingly the facts of that issue. But reading this paper I > remembered an anecdote of mine. A few years ago I was visisting quite > frequently (for different reasons, once staying 10 days there working on > sponges) the nice Aquarium of Xcaret, Cancun. I was witness of something I > think is amazing. In the big bowl representing the reef crest, there was a > trasplanted Acropora palmata colony (the biggest one among others). There > was full illumination and a wave simulator, with good water circulation > there. I was able to observe how that colony was slowly being transformed > in a prolifera bushy-palmate like fenotype. The ends of the palmate > branches began to show short arising (in the same plane of the branch top) > acute branches typical of prolifera, and the skeleton remaining between > them becoming quite traslucent (looking like a duck foot illuminated at > the opposite site). I wonder what was the final outcome of this gradual > transformation. I observed that about 4 years (maybe less or more, I do > not remember exactly) after I saw this colony for the first time. I would > suggest that appart from well proved genetically derived prolifera like > fenotypes, some kinds of changes in environmental variables (at least in > acquarium conditions) would be able to lead also to the same bushy-palmate > fenotype (maybe due to weaker hidrodynamic regime). Really interesting, > no?Best wishes,Pedro Alcolado -- Dana E. Williams, Ph.D. Post Doctoral Associate National Marine Fisheries Service 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami FL 33149 (305) 361-4569 Subject: RE: Hybridization in Acropora Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 13:41:43 -0500 From: "Pedro Alcolado" To: "Dana Williams" , Thanks for your interesting reply, Dana. The difference is that the colony that I talk about was originally a typical Acropora palmata that gradaually transformed in a bushy-palmate fenotype after being introduced in the aquarium. Genes did not change, form yes. Pedro ----- Original Message ----- Subject: RE: Hybridization in Acropora Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 13:55:38 -0500 From: "Pedro Alcolado" To: "Todd R. Barber" , Dear Todd, Thanks for your quick and interesting reply. If you need a piece of that coral colony you might request it to Dr. Martin Sanchez (sacbemar@playa.com.mx or msanchez@playa.com.mx), Director of Xcaret Aquarium, but I wonder wether this colony is still alive now. Hopefully yes. Keep me informed, please. The last time I saw it was in november 2001. Regards, Pedro Subject: RE: Hybridization in Acropora Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 14:10:24 -0500 From: "Pedro Alcolado" To: "Dana Williams" , Dana, I forgot to explain you that differently from your cases, in the Xcaret colony the process is opposite. If I understood you, your colonies are bushy Acropora that fill the angles among their branches transforming themselves into palmate branches, while in the Xcaret colony we deal with a typical palmate Acropora palmata that becomes bushy-palmate. Pedro Alcolado ----- Original Message ----- Subject: Re: Hybridization in Acropora Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 19:45:18 -0800 (PST) From: Hernandez Edwin To: coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov Dear Pedro and fellow listers. Just a minor observation following Pedro's posting on rapidly changing Acropora palmata morphology. Here in Puerto Rico, I've seen in two locations on the northern coast at Arrecife La Ocho, also known as El Escambron (San Juan), and at Vega Baja Beach (about 20-25 km west of San Juan) high densities of A. palmata colonies with mixed phenotypes. These colonies are growing on very shallow (0.5-1.5 m) and highly turbulent habitats. Most of the colonies show typical A. palmata branches in the colony portions under less turbulent microhabitats (lower part of the colony). But, those colony portions exposed to the prevalent turbulent conditions (upper branches) show typical A. prolifera forms. I've always thought that these "hybrid" morphs are the result of local environmental factors. Their distribution is limited only to the most turbulent zone. Thus, it would be interesting to look at the genetics of these known A. prolifera hybrids and those A. prolifera-looklike palmatas. Is this sudden increase in branchiness a strategy to dissipate high energy from incoming waves? Or is it simply a reproductive strategy to rapidly colonize, disperse and dominate shallow turbulent reef zones? Or is it an strategy of some genetic variants to try to fix their genes by producing larger numbers of weaker fragments, which will inebitably will fragment and disperse, thus rapidly dispersing genetic clones downcurrent? Moreover, this process that Pedro just described under aquarium conditions, which might be the same one that could explain my observations under field conditions, should be tested as a potential A. palmata propagation and restoking method. If palmata branches can exhibit such a rapid increase in branchiness under stronger water movement, then, wouldn't it be feasable either to propagate corals under flowing tank or field conditions by allowing single branches to rapidly produce a high number of new branches which can be cut and transplanted to repeat the process? Just a though... Cheers, Edwin ===== Edwin A. Hernandez-Delgado, Ph.D. University of Puerto Rico Department of Biology Coral Reef Research Group P.O. Box 23360 San Juan, P.R. 00931-3360 Tel (787) 764-0000, x-4855; Fax (787) 764-2610 __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Shopping - Send Flowers for Valentine's Day http://shopping.yahoo.com ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Summer Internships Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2003 08:30:10 -0500 From: Dennis Hanisak To: "'Coral Reef Listserver'" > SUMMER INTERNSHIPS > > Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution offers a Summer Internship Program > to qualified undergraduate and graduate students interested in > marine-related fields. Our Internship Program is designed to provide > students work experience in a research environment. The areas of study > may include, but are not limited to: aquaculture, biomedical marine > research, marine biology, marine mammal research, marine natural product > chemistry, marine microbiology, ocean engineering, and oceanography. The > 2003 Summer Intern Program begins May 27 and continues through August 1 > (10 weeks). Deadline for applications is March 1. Awards will be > announced ca. April 1. > > A downloadable application form is available at > . > > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Hybridization/phenotypic variation in Acropora Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2003 12:47:02 -0500 From: Judy Lang/Lynton Land To: coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov Dear Edwin, Pedro et al., In contrast to the situation described below by Edwin, there is--or at least there used to be--a small reef crest in a relatively sheltered location inside Discovery Bay Harbour (SW corner, just west of the bauxite loading facility) in which. if I remember correctly, the outer margins of some colonies of Acropora palmata produced a morphology more resembling A. cervicornis than A. prolifera. I presumed this was a response to reduced rates of water flow. Judy On Friday, February 14, 2003, at 10:45 PM, Hernandez Edwin wrote: > Dear Pedro and fellow listers. > > Just a minor observation following Pedro's posting on > rapidly changing Acropora palmata morphology. > > Here in Puerto Rico, I've seen in two locations on the > northern coast at Arrecife La Ocho, also known as El > Escambron (San Juan), and at Vega Baja Beach (about > 20-25 km west of San Juan) high densities of A. > palmata colonies with mixed phenotypes. > > These colonies are growing on very shallow (0.5-1.5 m) > and highly turbulent habitats. Most of the colonies > show typical A. palmata branches in the colony > portions under less turbulent microhabitats (lower > part of the colony). But, those colony portions > exposed to the prevalent turbulent conditions (upper > branches) show typical A. prolifera forms. > > I've always thought that these "hybrid" morphs are the > result of local environmental factors. Their > distribution is limited only to the most turbulent > zone. Thus, it would be interesting to look at the > genetics of these known A. prolifera hybrids and those > A. prolifera-looklike palmatas. > > Is this sudden increase in branchiness a strategy to > dissipate high energy from incoming waves? Or is it > simply a reproductive strategy to rapidly colonize, > disperse and dominate shallow turbulent reef zones? Or > is it an strategy of some genetic variants to try to > fix their genes by producing larger numbers of weaker > fragments, which will inebitably will fragment and > disperse, thus rapidly dispersing genetic clones > downcurrent? > > Moreover, this process that Pedro just described under > aquarium conditions, which might be the same one that > could explain my observations under field conditions, > should be tested as a potential A. palmata propagation > and restoking method. > > If palmata branches can exhibit such a rapid increase > in branchiness under stronger water movement, then, > wouldn't it be feasable either to propagate corals > under flowing tank or field conditions by allowing > single branches to rapidly produce a high number of > new branches which can be cut and transplanted to > repeat the process? Just a though... > > Cheers, > > Edwin > > ===== > Edwin A. Hernandez-Delgado, Ph.D. > University of Puerto Rico > Department of Biology > Coral Reef Research Group > P.O. Box 23360 > San Juan, P.R. 00931-3360 > Tel (787) 764-0000, x-4855; Fax (787) 764-2610 > > __________________________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > Yahoo! Shopping - Send Flowers for Valentine's Day > http://shopping.yahoo.com > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . > > ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: The Bali Proceedings are Printed Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 21:43:28 -0500 From: Terry Done To: coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov Dear Listers, The Proceedings of the 9th International Coral Reef Symposium, Bali Oct 2000, have now been printed and will soon be distributed to people who paid full registration to the Symposium. A number of copies are available for sale, and persons wishing to purchase a copy or notify a change of address should do so using forms at the following address. http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/bookshop-books.html Please encourage your library and colleagues to purchase a set. The huge job of compiling the Proceedings for publication was undertaken by the editorial team of M. K. Kasim Moosa, S. Soemodihardjo, A. Nontji, A. Soegiarto, K. Romimohtarto, Sukarno and Suharsono. As President of ISRS (1999-2002), I am very grateful for their efforts, both personally, and on behalf of the international coral reef community. With best wishes, Terry Done ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Old ISRS Symposium Proceedings Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 12:04:59 -0800 (PST) From: Hernandez Edwin To: Coral List Dear coral-listers. I've been doing an unsuccessful internet search trying to find the previous ISRS Symposium Proceedings and had no luck at all. I was able to acquire only vols. 3, 5 and 6 of the 5th Int. Coral Reef Symp. Does anybody know where should I go in the internet to get vols. 1, 2 and 4 of the 5th Symp., as well as where to get the Proceedings of the 6th Symposium and those earlier if there are still old copies around? Please, reply directly to coral_giac@yahoo.com. Thanks in advance. Edwin ===== Edwin A. Hernandez-Delgado, Ph.D. University of Puerto Rico Department of Biology Coral Reef Research Group P.O. Box 23360 San Juan, P.R. 00931-3360 Tel (787) 764-0000, x-4855; Fax (787) 764-2610 __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Shopping - Send Flowers for Valentine's Day http://shopping.yahoo.com ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Re: Old ISRS Symposium Proceedings Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 15:41:24 -0600 (CST) From: "Daphne G. Fautin" To: Hernandez Edwin CC: Coral List Dear Edwin and others, Periodically, the list of titles and publishers is published in REEF ENCOUNTER. One is in volume 24, which is available on line. The URL is http://www.uncwil.edu/isrs/reef-encounter/re24/24reef.pdf Daphne On Tue, 18 Feb 2003, Hernandez Edwin wrote: > Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 12:04:59 -0800 (PST) > From: Hernandez Edwin > To: Coral List > Subject: Old ISRS Symposium Proceedings > > Dear coral-listers. > > I've been doing an unsuccessful internet search trying > to find the previous ISRS Symposium Proceedings and > had no luck at all. > > I was able to acquire only vols. 3, 5 and 6 of the 5th > Int. Coral Reef Symp. > > Does anybody know where should I go in the internet to > get vols. 1, 2 and 4 of the 5th Symp., as well as > where to get the Proceedings of the 6th Symposium and > those earlier if there are still old copies around? > > Please, reply directly to coral_giac@yahoo.com. Thanks > in advance. > > Edwin > > ===== > Edwin A. Hernandez-Delgado, Ph.D. > University of Puerto Rico > Department of Biology > Coral Reef Research Group > P.O. Box 23360 > San Juan, P.R. 00931-3360 > Tel (787) 764-0000, x-4855; Fax (787) 764-2610 > Daphne G. Fautin Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Curator, Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center Haworth Hall University of Kansas 1200 Sunnyside Avenue Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7534 USA telephone 1-785-864-3062 fax 1-785-864-5321 for e-mail, please use fautin@ku.edu website www.nhm.ku.edu/~inverts 7th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COELENTERATE BIOLOGY 6-11 July 2003 (including the 2003 North American meeting of the International Society for Reef Studies) for details, go to http://web.nhm.ukans.edu/inverts/iccb/ direct to database of hexacorals, including sea anemones newest version released 31 January 2003 *** http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Hexacoral/Biodata/ *** -- All programmers are optimists -- Frederick P. Brooks, Jr. ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: summer course at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 13:41:16 -1000 From: Greta Smith Aeby To: Coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov The Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology is pleased to announce its 2003 Edwin W. Pauley Summer Program, ASSESSING THE HEALTH OF PACIFIC CORALS, June 9 – June 28, 2003. Specific Topics include: Identification and surveying of stressed corals, histopathology of corals (Ester Peters, Debbie Santavy); Physiological determinants of coral health (Craig Downs, Cheryl Woodley), Microbial ecology of coral reefs (Forest Rohwer). Participants: Graduate level students or working professionals. Limit 12 students. Credit: college credit can be obtained through the University of Hawaii. Application: deadline March 30; application form is available on our website: http://www.hawaii.edu/HIMB/Education/pauley.html For more information contact: Dr. Greta Aeby Email: greta@hawaii.edu ~~~~~~~ For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the digests, please see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html . Subject: Identification of Octocorals Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2003 08:33:13 -0500 From: "Craig Bonn" Organization: NOAA To: "coral-list-daily@aoml.noaa.gov" Dear Listers, I am involved in a research project in Florida Bay looking at species composition in the release channels that lie between the banks. The hardbottom channels contain hardcorals as well as numerous gorgonians. I need help in identifying the gorgonians to at least the genus level. I took video with closeups of the gorgonians and was wondering if there is anyone that could take a look and help me in their identification. So far, I have identified a few: Plexaurella nutans; Briareum asbestinum; and Pseudoplexaura spp. from the video. Im not an expert and was hoping that someone could direct me to someone with some expertise. Thanks CS Bonn Craig Steven Bonn Biological Fisheries Technician NOAA/NOS/CCFHR Seagrass Ecology Craig Steven Bonn Biological Fisheries Technician NOAA/NOS/CCFHR Seagrass Ecology 101 Pivers Island Road Cellular: 252-725-4794 Beaufort Fax: 252-728-8784 North Carolina Home: 252-354-5370 28516 Work: 252-728-8777 USA Additional Information: Last Name Bonn First Name Craig Steven Version 2.1 Subject: Re: Old ISRS Symposium Proceedings Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2003 08:28:55 -0600 (CST) From: "Richard B. Aronson" To: Hernandez Edwin CC: Coral List Dear Edwin and Listers, Doug Fenner shot this reminder across the list in January 2000 regarding the proceedings: Complete information on how to order all the Coral Reef Symposium Proceedings are available in Reef Encounter 24, Dec. 1998, page 9. You can read Reef Encounter on the ISRS (International Society for Reef Studies) web site at http://www.uncwil.edu/isrs/ Click on Reef Encounter on the left, then click on Issue 24, and go to page 9. Cheers, Rich Aronson Vice President, ISRS On Tue, 18 Feb 2003, Hernandez Edwin wrote: > Dear coral-listers. > > I've been doing an unsuccessful internet search trying > to find the previous ISRS Symposium Proceedings and > had no luck at all. > > I was able to acquire only vols. 3, 5 and 6 of the 5th > Int. Coral Reef Symp. > > Does anybody know where should I go in the internet to > get vols. 1, 2 and 4 of the 5th Symp., as well as > where to get the Proceedings of the 6th Symposium and > those earlier if there are still old copies around? > > Please, reply directly to coral_giac@yahoo.com. Thanks > in advance. > > Edwin > > ===== > Edwin A. Hernandez-Delgado, Ph.D. > University of Puerto Rico > Department of Biology > Coral Reef Research Group > P.O. Box 23360 > San Juan, P.R. 00931-3360 > Tel (787) 764-0000, x-4855; Fax (787) 764-2610 > > __________________________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > Yahoo! Shopping - Send Flowers for Valentine's Day > http://shopping.yahoo.com > > ~~~~~~~ > For directions on subscribing and unsubscribing to coral-list or the > digests, pleas