Authorities are still puzzled about what caused the bleaching in the first place.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources has intensified its efforts in preserving the coral reefs. Authorities aid corals against bleaching and they are doing everything in their power to help the little sea critters.
The most affected coral colonies were those located near Kaua’i and O’ahu. In 2014, the local specialists have declared that some of them are turning white and a more of them are exhibiting bleaching symptoms. This year, the notorious El Nino seems to contribute to the reef’s downfall.
A biologist working for the DLNR explained that the reason why the reef is dying is due to the fact that weather patterns have shifted this year. Doctor Walsh told the reporters that last year the masses of warm waters came from the south and this year they seem to be coming to the north.
Also, according to a couple of studies, it would seem that sunscreen might have something to do with the sudden outburst of bleaching, but no one could put restrictions of sunscreen usage. The authorities now concentrate of wildlife management. More specific, there are a couple of fish out there, which are able to eat the seaweeds that inhabit the coral reef.
The DLNR is thinking of instating a couple of fishing restrictions on those species of fish. Reports from inland suggest that the fish population is dwindling due to the fact that many aquariums from the area are collecting them. And to make matters worse, it would seem that the situation is much worse on the west side of the Island.
Coral bleaching refers to a malady that triggers the loss of endosymbionts. The coral losses the endosymbionts either by expelling them or by losing algae population, which is necessary in the process of algal pigmentation.
There are many causes that can trigger bleaching in coral reefs. Among the most common causes are sudden shifts in water temperature, oxygenation levels, radioactivity and imbalances in water chemistry. However there are also a couple of other factors, much more subtle, that can trigger bleaching. Bacterial infection are also known to trigger the strange malady in coral. Also, human interference seems to be detrimental to the coral population. Scientists have discovered that herbicides, cyanide fishing and sunscreen exposure could severely affect the corals.
Among other theories that explain the onset of this serious disease, is the one related to the sea levels. Increased sea water levels due to the phenomenon of global warning could also affect the coral population.
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