Fast Moving Coral Disease Alert on Bonaire

[NW Dive Dawg]

Buddy Dive posted this on Facebook:

Buddy Dive Resort​

Dear divers and visitors of Bonaire and Buddy Dive.​

The history of the Caribbean Reefs has showed the world how strong and fragile such ecosystems can be. In our lifetime alone we have witnessed how reefs can decline, in some cases almost disappear but also how their resilience can help them come back!

In recent years a new coral disease STONY CORAL TISSUE LOSS DISEASE (SCTLD) has been detected and spreading through the Caribbean, from Florida down to all our favorite and popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean, including most recently our DIVERS PARADISE BONAIRE…​

We would like to make a call for your help, and it goes as simple as following the protocols established by our Marine Park. This way we can slow down the spread of the disease.​

https://stinapabonaire.org/bonaire-national-marine-park/​

If you are staying at our Resort, you are welcome to dive at our house reef (which is still a green zone) but please follow the above-mentioned protocols!​

If you are not staying with us, please don’t use our house reef as we are trying to slow down the possible spread in our zone. Luckily on Bonaire we have many options for you to dive away from the concerning areas.​

Your help is highly appreciated

So you have chosen NOT to follow the STINAPA disinfection protocols, and to dive in the infected sites, even though asked not to. Why is that?

I watched the Stinapa video. So is Buddy Dive supplying all of these tubs and three types of disinfectants and abundant fresh water for rinsing to 100% of ALL of their paid guests.....?

 

[scubadada]

I watched the Stinapa video. So is Buddy Dive supplying all of these tubs and three types of disinfectants and abundant fresh water for rinsing to 100% of ALL of their paid guests.....?

They were available at Dive Friends Sand Dollar/Den Laman during the suspected outbreak last summer at Karpata. We were there the last 2 weeks of August.

 

[tursiops]

I watched the Stinapa video. So is Buddy Dive supplying all of these tubs and three types of disinfectants and abundant fresh water for rinsing to 100% of ALL of their paid guests.....?

Yes, they supplied all the tubs and rinses during the possible SCTLD outbreak in the northern sites; I assume they will do at least the same during this confirmed outbreak.

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

They were available at Dive Friends Sand Dollar/Den Laman during the suspected outbreak last summer at Karpata. We were there the last 2 weeks of August.

Thanks. Great to hear..... Wife and I will be arriving Bonaire next Friday for a 10 day stay and so will follow logistical protocols and disinfect as best as we can. The villa has rinse tanks so we can buy some supplies and do our best. We did buy our unlimited shore diving package from Buddy's so we can use their dock and facilities as needed...

 

[Ken Kurtis]

Shades of the pointless debate about mask effectiveness during COVID . . .

Here's the bottom line:

You can debate all you want, science-based or opinion-based, but the reality is that whether or not this helps the SCTLD situation, it certainly doesn't HURT anything.

So until someone can put forth a cogent argument about how following the STINAPA protocols is detrimental to anything, perhaps we can all act like responsible adults and - especially since today is Earth Day - shelve this pointless back-and-forth and just do as we're asked when in Bonaire? (Or just don't go if you feel you can't/won't comply?)

 

[scuba127]

Totally agree Ken....4 days a wakeup!

 

[scubadada]

Possible good early news regarding SCTLD

Chemical and genomic characterization of a potential probiotic treatment for stony coral tissue loss disease - Communications Biology

A multidisciplinary approach identifies broad-spectrum antibacterial activity of Pseudoalteromonas sp. strain McH1-7 against stony coral tissue loss disease, which is threatening Caribbean coral reefs.

www.nature.com

Abstract​

Considered one of the most devastating coral disease outbreaks in history, stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) is currently spreading throughout Florida’s coral reefs and the greater Caribbean. SCTLD affects at least two dozen different coral species and has been implicated in extensive losses of coral cover. Here we show Pseudoalteromonas sp. strain McH1-7 has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against SCTLD-associated bacterial isolates. Chemical analyses indicated McH1-7 produces at least two potential antibacterials, korormicin and tetrabromopyrrole, while genomic analysis identified the genes potentially encoding an L-amino acid oxidase and multiple antibacterial metalloproteases (pseudoalterins). During laboratory trials, McH1-7 arrested or slowed disease progression on 68.2% of diseased Montastraea cavernosa fragments treated (n = 22), and it prevented disease transmission by 100% (n = 12). McH1-7 is the most chemically characterized coral probiotic that is an effective prophylactic and direct treatment for the destructive SCTLD as well as a potential alternative to antibiotic use.

 

[tursiops]

Latest from STINAPA re SCTLD

Now confirmed at Batchelor's Beach, and Caution Advised at Cliff. Caution previously advised at Corp Meiss and Front Porch.

 

[Endler's]

Here it is, almost a decade after being discovered in Florida.

Can any Floridian divers, with eyes on reefs, share info about how your reefs are recovering?

 

[SoccerDad]

Latest update: North is closed effective May 1st.

Important SCTLD Update: After careful consideration and assessment, STINAPA, as the managing organization of the Marine Park has made the difficult decision to close the north side of Bonaire for diving, from north of Karpata to Malmok including Washington Slagbaai National Park from May 1st, 2023 until further notice due to Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD).
The reason being that Wekua Point has been identified as a natural barrier that could prevent contaminated water from flowing north, creating a possibility for the north to be guarded. We are not taking this decision lightly but it’s essential to protect our precious reefs & marine life.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this challenging moment and please remember to follow the regulations implemented to slow down the spread such as avoiding contaminated areas, decontaminating your gear, and not touching the reef. Also, a big thank you to all our partners who are doing their best to protect the corals!
[Decision based on article 8 sub 6 Island Ordinance Nature Management Bonaire and paragraph 6 of Island Decision Underwater Park Bonaire.]
Contaminated Areas Map: https://arcg.is/1eCTD80
SCTLD Info: https://stinapabonaire.org/bonaire-national-marine-park/

Dive sites closed: Carel’s Vision, Taylor Made, Candyland, Nukove, Wayaka, Slagbaai, Bisé Morto, Playa Funchi, Playa Benge, Boka Bartol