{"id":289,"date":"2022-08-19T00:11:56","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T04:11:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cleanreefs.org\/?page_id=289"},"modified":"2022-09-23T12:56:03","modified_gmt":"2022-09-23T16:56:03","slug":"education","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.cleanreefs.org\/education\/","title":{"rendered":"Education"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\n\t\tEducation\n\t<\/h1>\n\t

Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) is\u00a0a new lethal disease first reported in Florida in 2014. The cause of the disease is unknown but it is affecting >30 species of corals especially brain, pillar, star and starlet corals. The disease spreads quickly causing high coral mortality.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"StonyCoralTissueLossDisease-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\"StonyCoralTissueLossDisease-2\"\n

\n\t\tTips to Live Sustainably\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\"NO\n

\n\t\tReduce Single-Use Plastic\n\t<\/h2>\n\t

The first step into living ocean friendly is to become more aware of personal consumption of single-use plastic. When can you say “NO” to plastic straws, plastic cups, lids, and plastic containers? These products are extremely poisonous for all marine species. When a marine species lower in the food chain, such as a small fish, ingests toxic plastics that toxicity is biomagnified throughout the food web until it reaches apex predators such as whales and sharks.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"CARBON\n

\n\t\tReduce your Carbon footprint\n\t<\/h2>\n\t

Green house gas emissions cause climate change and ocean acidification. By driving, flying, and choosing renewable energy whenever possible increases the potential of regaining and maintaining the health of the oceans and its marine life.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"IMG_2764-2-1024x668\"\n

\n\t\tChoose Sustainable Seafood\n\t<\/h2>\n\t

Overfishing is a big problem throughout the world. Over the last 55 years, we have eliminated 90% of the oceans top predators like: sharks, bluefin tuna, marlin, swordfish, and king mackerel. When there is decline in number of apex predators species lower in the food chain see rapid population growth disrupting the entire ecosystem’s function. Overpopulation can lead to an unsustainable biome and depletion of resources.<\/p>\n

\n\t\tCauses of Coral Mortality\n\t<\/h2>\n

\n\t\tCoral Bleaching\n\t<\/h2>\n\t

Coral reefs are very sensitive to sudden changes in environment such as salinity, temperature and solar radiation. Coral bleaching is the main cause to coral mortality. Increase in ocean temperature exceeding the normal maximum temperature will drive a mass bleaching event. Ocean acidification is a decrease in the overall pH balance caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide released from natural and anthropogenic forces. Why does it matter? “25% of marine life depends on coral reefs for habitat. 500 million people depend on coral reefs for food, tourism, employment and even protection from extreme weather.” Bleached coral does not mean it is completely dead. With the return of colder waters coral can make a comeback. (Credit: Reef Resilience. Mass Bleaching. reefresilience.org)<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"Black\n\t\tBlack Band Disease\n\t\t\t\t\"Withe\n\t\tWithe Band Disease\n

\n\t\tCOMMON DISEASES TO CORAL\n\t<\/h2>\n\t

Black Band Disease<\/strong><\/p>\nSymptoms: A black band moving across the coral. Potential to kill entire colonies within months.
\nCauses: Black band disease is caused by a bacteria called Phormidium corallyticum\n

White Band Disease<\/strong><\/p>\nSymptoms: Tissue peels off of stag horn and elk horn coral, leaving behind the exposed tissue of coral.
\nCauses: Not yet known by scientists.\n

(Credit: South Florida Aquatic Environments. Coral Diseases<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\n\t\tPlastic Pollution\n\t<\/h2>\n\t