Coral Reefs Are Dying … But These Volunteers Are Becoming Life Savers

One of the most pressing issues negatively impacting the health of the ocean and the planet as a whole is the rapid depletion of coral reefs. While there are many reasons for the troubling trend, one emerging approach might be effective enough to help bring this natural resource back from the brink.

A devastating decade

Nearly 10 years ago, the first cases of coral sickness were identified in Florida. Since then, the issue has killed off reefs in more than two dozen countries around the world.

One team currently working in Turks and Caicos, where stony coral tissue loss disease was identified in 2019, is experimenting with the use of antibiotics to address the underlying issue in hopes of fueling future growth. Left untreated, reefs can die within weeks of contracting the disease.

The volunteer team is made up of folks who have been moved to action after witnessing the depletion of coral in the area and learning about the impact that this loss could have on sea life and the entire food chain.

Arenthia Baker, a former teacher who moved to the islands two years ago, called getting involved in the project “the best decision [she] ever made.”

The stakes are high

Since corals provide crucial shelter and food for about a quarter of all underwater life, it is imperative that these reefs are protected and allowed to flourish. And even though the antibiotics currently being used off the coast of Turks and Caicos won’t prevent re-infection, it does appear to be effective enough to allow existing reefs to reproduce.

In addition to the innovative treatment for sick reefs, scientists keep a close eye on so-called “coral babies” in tanks filled with specially blended synthetic seawater and a healthy diet until they find a permanent home in the ocean.

Chris Agee December 11th, 2023

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