#oceanecology

[naturalscienceve]

Margie Kelk on Twitter

“The Issue with Jellyfish, in my upcoming exhibition at the Red Head Gallery, Toronto @redheadgallery mixed media on paper, 13” x 16,” 2017 #drawing #ocean_ecology #contemporaryart #worksonpaper #Torontoartist #jellyfish #newwork #redheadgallery #margiekelk”

[the-watergirl-blog]

Coral Bleaching

Coral bleaching, as you probably know, is caused by sustained high sea temperatures which cause stress to corals and bleaching is the end result. Coral bleaching events have been observed on the Great Barrier Reef since 1982, so they aren’t a new phenomenon. El Nino trends which create the Southern Oscillation have been shifting water currents and influencing water temperatures for centuries.

 What we are seeing is a response from a reef that is out of balance, it is true even healthy reefs will succumb to bleaching events. Along the equator there is a group of islands that make up the Republic of Kiribati. In 2002 the Phoenix Islands experienced a strong coral bleaching event. 60% of the coral reef was bleached. Yet this reef bounced back in record time. The Republic of Kiribati lays in a remote area along the Equator east of Australia. Being such a remote area, and one of the world’s largest Marine Protected Areas means corals in this area, and fish populations, are free to exist with minimal disturbance from Human activity. The Great Barrier Reef, in contrast, is one of Australia’s main tourism destinations, which is connected to an industry rich mainland.

 Greg Stone’s 2010 TED talk, discussing the ability of coral to recover from a bleaching event, perfectly articulated our current situation, “If people have multiple diseases, it’s hard to get well, you might die. If you only have one disease to deal with, you can get better”.  Our corals are already struggling with stress that has caused bleaching. Algae that is now establishing on corals, due to excess nutrients from land run off and a diminished number of fish to eat the algae. Our Great Barrier Reef is being bombarded with manmade diseases and is struggling to cope.

Agriculture and cleaning products pump nutrients into our oceans. When nutrients such a nitrates and phosphates accumulate, coral is hindered from growing healthily and algae is encouraged to bloom. Both organisms compete for water space, fish are great at feasting on algae to keep blooms down, but if sustainable fishing isn’t practised, there are not enough fish to counteract the algal growth. Other chemical pollutants like sunscreens and exhaust fumes contribute to create the loading we are putting on our Great Barrier Reef. I deliberately haven’t mentioned coal companies yet, and for a good purpose. We can point the finger at industry, and they are indeed a contributing factor, we cannot blame coal for everything though. As I have exemplified, there are plenty of factors impacting on the Great Barrier Reef’s health.

 By spreading awareness we can begin to help support our corals to recover from bleaching events. I personally believe all fishing should cease in the area to allow a natural balance to occur. Something as simple as not fertilising lawns can help lessen storm-water runoff into our oceans. Becoming involved with local environmental groups is also a great way to learn more about how we can help nurture our oceans. Everyone can help our Great Barrier Reef corals, we just need to stop and think.

 Be aware and care.

 Ashka, The Water Girl.

Picture credit: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority