Catalina Morales Ruiz

Reponse to Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease outbreak with antibiotic treatment: Progress Report 2023

2023

Sea Ventures Inc.

"Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) was detected in Puerto Rico around September 2019. Since then, different governmental and non-governmental agencies, accompanied by non-governmental organizations and private companies, have joined efforts to respond to this event. This report summarizes the efforts made by Sea Ventures Marine Response Unit (MRU) in responding to this disease between August 2022 to October 2023 with the support of NOAA Restoration Center and other partners. To date, a total of 2,705 colony treatments (Amoxicillin + Base2B) have been applied at least once during field efforts. To monitor the effect of the treatment in this reporting period, 80 colonies were tagged across two sites (40 colonies in Pinaculos and 40 Colonies in Turrumote). By October 2023 survival rate of treated O. faveolata colonies was 100 percent in Pinaculos and Turrumote, compared to 30 percent survival in control O. faveolata colonies. The survival rate of treated C. natans colonies was 90 percent in Pinaculos and 100 percent Turrumote, compared to 0 percent survival in controls for both sites. By the last visit, 83 percent were healthy, 3 percent dead, and 15 percent diseased. These 15 percent of diseased colonies needed reapplication of treatment due to the progression of previously treated lesions or the appearance of new lesions. Collaborative work has been key to carrying out the different efforts to apply treatment and detect the disease at the sites. It is recommended to continue visiting the reefs mentioned in this report since the disease persists, and many colonies whose lesions stopped may be reinfected again. A mass bleaching event occurred in late summer-fall 2023. Most colonies that have survived the SCTLD event are now bleached. It is important to keep track of the recovery of the bleaching condition and the potential increase in tissue loss lesions."

stony coral tissue loss disease, SCTLD, antibiotic treatment, Puerto Rico

NOS

OCM

FY2023 CRCP Project ID 31331; Project Title: Coral Disease Response in the US Caribbean; Principal Investigator: Leslie Henderson