In Florida a disease called Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease has been ravaging our reef tract since 2014. It affects more than 20 of of 45 reef building species in Florida. It has brought our coral coral coverage to about 5%. When a colony gets ill it can be totally gone within months or even weeks. The exact cause of the pathogen is unknown. However, there is research showing affected colonies are responding to probiotics. Additionally, human impact in the form of the way we care for our oceans, and reefs are a cause for their decline.
2. Great Question! A simple thing we can all do is change our sunscreen. I have attached some information, on the way we can change our sunscreen usage. We can all think about the way we get rid of our trash, and recycle. As you build out your tank be aware of where your coral comes from. Help others understand the ways reefs sustain economies of nations near them. It is estimated that $375 billion each year globally comes from different finances associated with coral reefs. As corny as it sounds, support non profits that are actively not just researching causes of why reefs are dying, but are doing the hard work to rebuild and protect them. Like ours, there are many around the globe.
www.reefinstitute.org
