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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

Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) in Belize
Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) has been confirmed in many countries within this region. SCTLD was first seen in Belize in June 2019 within the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve. Find out more about this devastating disease and things you can do to help prevent it.

Fishers... divers... snorkelers...
Did you know you can help us combat this coral disease? Yes you can... in two very simple ways. Click below and watch this two minute video to learn more.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve:

In recent years our reefs have been plagued with Stoney Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) this is where many of the reef-building species have been dying from a disease that scientists have yet to pinpoint the exact cause. In Belize, we are still trying to address this issue, and here we go again with another alarming report.

Diadema antillarum (long-spined sea urchin) is experiencing once again a die-off within the Caribbean, the last die-off was in the 80s with the cause unknown. While we may think it is only a sea urchin and they are dangerous anyway, this is alarming because long-spined sea urchins are one of the most important herbivores (meaning consumer of algae) on Caribbean reefs.

There has been no report of urchins dying in Belize, but all divers, snorkelers, fishers, and anyone in the water are being asked to be on the alert and report if they see any urchins dying. Reports can be made directly to Hol Chan via our FB page or through WhattsApp at 614-6439. Reports can also be sent directly to the Fisheries Department - Belize at 226-4552. Please include photos if possible, and the location of where it was observed.

Here is the link to the website for more details on the spread within the Caribbean: https://www.agrra.org/sea-urchin-die-off/