Leslie Henderson, NOAA Stony Coral Tissue Loss DiseaseBackgroundStony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) is a lethal bacterial pathogen that affects over half of the coral species in the U.S. Virgin Islands (more than 20 species).[1] SCTLD moves quickly, killing healthy coral tissue and leaving behind a stark white skeleton. Unlike coral bleaching in which corals may recover to a healthy state, recovery from SCTLD is not likely. Upwards of 60% decline of live coral cover on reefs has been documented in some areas.[2] “Continued research, management, collaboration, and outreach won't be the cure for the disease, but they minimize its impact. As coral diseases become more prevalent and virulent, the park can use past disease outbreak responses to inform future ones. Successful responses to outbreaks in the past share the common denominator of collaboration.” - Kristen Ewen, Biological Science Technician, Christiansted National Historic Site (CHRI) National Park Service
![]() Sonora Meiling, University of the Virgin Islands NPS photo (Kristen Ewen) What the National Parks Service is DoingNational Park Service scientists are actively performing intervention techniques to thwart the spread of SCTLD within the park. The primary focus of our efforts center around preventing diseased coral colonies from dying. The most successful intervention so far is the application of an antibiotic paste along lesion edges. The paste is a mixture of veterinary-grade amoxicillin and Coral Cure Base2B paste (designed and created by Ocean Alchemists LLC). Antibiotic intervention halts the progression of the disease lesion and boasts up to a 90% effectiveness rate on some coral species.[5] Additionally, National Park scientists have tagged 40 corals around the Underwater Trail and specifically track these tagged coral colonies to determine effectiveness of the antibiotic treatment.NPS has partnered with more than a dozen Virgin Islands Territory organizations in a collaborative effort to halt the progression of SCTLD. Learn more about the collaborations at Virgin Islands Coral Disease - VI-CDAC (vicoraldisease.org). NPS photo (Kristen Ewen) How Can You Help?Volunteer! NPS is actively seeking volunteers to participate in coral treatments. If you are a strong snorkeler, love to learn, and can commit at least one volunteer day a month, NPS would love your help in weekly coral treatments. e-mail us for more information.If you want to scuba dive and help treat diseased corals contact the St. Croix Strike Team at: outreach@corevi.org Report what you see! Our tagged corals at the Underwater Trail have information cards next to diseased corals indicating how to report those colonies. Take a picture of our tagged corals with an underwater camera and send us the photos! That information is invaluable as it helps us to look at the health of coral colonies more frequently.As you enjoy the beautiful coral reefs at Buck Island National Reef Monument and notice large white patches of exposed coral skeletons (especially on brain and pillar corals), take a picture and e-mail us. Location of the photo taken is always helpful. The park will be able to dispatch scientists to go out and apply treatment.Spread the word! Practice reef etiquette! Never stand, rest, or touch corals, maintain proper buoyancy when diving or snorkeling, never anchor in areas where coral is present, and wear reef-safe mineral sunscreen (avoid oxybenzone, avobenzone, or octinoxate; instead look for ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide).Every coral is valuable, do your part to preserve our oceans. Literature Cited Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease. Reef Resilience Available at: https://reefresilience.org/managing-for-disturbance/managing-coral-disease/stony-coral-tissue-loss-disease/. (Accessed: 29th October 2021)
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Last updated: November 29, 2021