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Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease is killing Belize's reefs; HCMR to the rescue

Since its detection in 2019 in the Bacalar Chico area, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve (HCMR) team and the Fisheries Department have monitored the spread of the Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). While observing its spread, they have engaged in field testing treatment options of the highly contagious disease that is rapidly killing healthy corals along the coast of Ambergris Caye. According to HCMR, when they became aware of the disease off the northern coast of Ambergris Caye by Bacalar Chico, they knew it was only a matter of time before it made it to their reserve located south of the island. "It's like watching a hurricane approach, and you know there is nothing you can do to stop it," HCMR said. In March 2020, when Belize went into lockdown, SCTLD was confirmed at the Mexico Rocks Marine Reserve south of Bacalar Chico. It was decided to prioritize the HCMR Channel because of its tourism value with the hopes of treating it before it arrived at the popular snorkelling and diving reserve. In the summer of 2020, the worst fears were confirmed with SCTLD at the Hol Chan Channel. HCMR was the first to start using an antibiotic treatment known as Base2B at the channel. At that time, there were only six jars of Base2B in the country under the possession of the Fisheries Department. These were given to the HCMR and applied to infected corals in the channel.

Hol Chan was also given the green light at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic from the Ministry of Health and Wellness to purchase the quantity of amoxicillin needed to treat SCTLD. HCMR was the first to begin treatment within Belize. They continued to treat the infected corals, but they quickly realized there was not enough amoxicillin for the daily task, to the team's dismay. The process involves treating the same corals who heal and get infected again and again. With this endless battle, the next option HCMR looked at was getting coral species not affected by the disease, namely Acroprids (Elkhorn and Staghorn corals) and using this species to restore areas affected by SCTLD. This project led to a partnership with Fragments of Hope based in Placencia to establish coral nurseries for Acroporas to replant in the affected sites. "This is a way to maintain not only the ecological integrity of the reef but the aesthetic beauty as well," said Hol Chan. "Anyone interested in knowing the details of the restoration program, number of table locations, and species in nurseries are welcome to contact our office for details at 226-2247".

Click here to read the rest of the article in the San Pedro Sun