Marine experts warn: Tobago coral reefs are under lethal threat

A looming threat to Tobago’s coral reefs has been identified by marine experts.

According to the Marine Resilience Initiative (MARIN)-Tobago, a condition–namely Stoney Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) — is expected to arrive within the local region “within a matter of time.”

The disease has been described as a “lethal, virulent, highly transmissible disease plaguing hard corals on reefs in the Caribbean region.”

The disease is caused by bacteria and spreads via ocean currents, direct contact and ballast water from ships. It has decimated hard coral populations in other Caribbean countries with mortality occurring within a few weeks to months depending on the species. 

It was first observed in Florida in 2014 and to date, Grenada is the closest island to Tobago where the disease is present.

SCTLD appears as multiple lesions on the coral’s surface and rapid tissue loss at these lesions spreads across the colony, eventually resulting in its mortality. While it may look like coral bleaching at first, rapid tissue die-off indicates infection.

Why should we be concerned?

In Tobago, approximately 42 species of hard corals can be found and the disease affects more than 20 species. 

Many of the key reef-building corals found in Tobago’s waters include the brain, massive and starlet corals are susceptible to the disease. Additionally Tobago’s reefs have shown limited coral recovery after disturbance events such as mass bleaching and disease outbreaks.