Coral bleaching reported at Saipan

DEQ raises concerns on coral bleaching
Saipan Tribune 12 Aug 13;

The Division of Environmental Quality and its Marine Monitoring Program would like to inform the general public that there have been documented and confirmed incidents of coral bleaching at some of the near shore reefs around Saipan. The Division of Environmental Quality and its Marine Monitoring Program would like to inform the general public that there have been documented and confirmed incidents of coral bleaching at some of the near shore reefs around Saipan.

Coral bleaching is a physiological response to a number of stressors including sea water temperature anomalies (hot and cold), irradiance (UV light exposure), desiccation, and pollution. Currently, 14 species are being affected and six of the species are moving into fatal levels of bleaching due to an increase in water temperature.

Corals are animals that live symbiotically with algae called zooxanthellae that provide them with much of their food and energy needs. When the ocean temperature becomes too warm for too long, corals release the zooxanthellae, leaving corals with a brilliant white color, a stark contrast to the typical bright colors of a healthy coral reef. The bleached coral can recover if ocean temperatures return to normal and the algae return, but without the zooxanthellae, the coral often starves to death. Bleached corals are in a fragile state and extra care should be taken when recreating near them. Fishers, divers and snorkelers in particular should pay close attention not to touch or kick the corals.

The best thing the community can do is keep an eye on our reef and practice environmentally-friendly land and marine practices such as carpooling, removing trash correctly, minimizing chemical and fertilizer use, not burning, and boating and fishing responsibly. The community is urged to report any similar events to the natural resource management agencies of the CNMI:

- CNMI Division of Environmental Quality – Marine Monitoring Program: 664-8524

- CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife: 664-6000

- NMI Coastal Resources Management Office: 664-8300

- NOAA Field Office: 234-0004