HAWAII MAY FACE ITS WORST CORAL BLEACHING TO DATE
This Friday, the Department of Natural Resources announced that, as was forecast, coral reefs across Hawaii from the northernmost spot in the Hawaiian Archipelago, Kure Atoll, all the way to the island of Hawaii are already feeling the effects of coral bleaching.
WHAT IS CORAL BLEACHING?
Coral bleaching occurs when ocean temperatures rise above their accustomed range, causing coral to expel the algae that they and creatures living in them feed from. It’s called bleaching because as the coral loses its algae, it also loses it’s colour, turning a ghastly shade of white. Because of the high ocean temperatures, this year’s El Niño may well cause massive moral bleaching across Hawaii. Coral bleaching has only swept through the islands twice before; once this past summer, and many coral reefs are still recovering from it, and once in 1996. This year, ocean temperatures in the Hawaiian Archipelago are about 3 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than normal, said meteorologist Chris Brenchley.
THE BLOB AND EL NIÑO COMBINED: A RECIPE FOR DISASTER
Ruth Gates, director of the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, nicknames the rising water temperature ”The Blob”, and this year, it is coinciding with the general warming of parts of the Pacific we call El Niño. This phenomenon changes weather worldwide. Gates goes on to say that it will be harder for these corals to tolerate both blows in one, especially when it is still trying to recoup from last years’ Blob. The small algae that live in the tissue of the coral provide all of their energy, and the strain caused by the warm water forces it to leave the coral, making them lose their beautiful, vibrant colors.
The adverse effects also have negative repercussions on the fish and invertebrates that depend on the coral, DLNR Aquatic Biologist Brian Neilson goes on to say, so coral bleaching sets the entire ecosystem out of check. A conference was held this Friday to discuss this year’s bleaching. It is so pressing because at certain sites that experienced the most severe coral bleaching, it was found that 85% to 100% of the corals have already died, which sets a terrible prospect for fish and other species that go to coral reefs to spawn.
A WORD OF ADVICE TO HAWAIIAN RESIDENTS
Chair of of DLNR Suzanne Case encourages people across Hawaii to help reduce stressors and to promote the recovery of coral reefs; researchers also recommend people to not use fertilizers in water that may reach the ocean, or to wash their vehicles with soap and let those contaminants reach ocean waters.
