I know everyone in Florida has noticed how ridiculously hot this summer has been with temperatures reaching 80 degrees by mid-June. Water temperatures were especially high, reaching a maximum of 101.1 degrees over in the Manatee Bay. The life that resides in Florida’s waters is in danger. Species like Florida’s coral reefs are experiencing major bleaching due to the outrageous heat that has been engulfing Florida. Humans and animals need coral reefs to survive their day to day lives. Our oceans produce 50 percent of the oxygen we need to survive. Coral reefs also harbor life for other organisms like shrimp fish and lobster. If the reefs die out then so do the homes and food sources for many of the other species in the area, destroying the ecosystem and biodiversity. 

  The name of the disease that has been attacking our reefs is called stony coral tissue loss. The cause of the disease is unknow, but it is believed to be caused by a pathogen of some sort that thrives in hotter waters. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary has been documenting the reports of stony coral in Florida’s reefs since 2015 and by 2020 there were reports of stony coral in every one of Florida’s natural reefs. There is not a lot that can be done to reduce the temperature of our waters because global warming has already been in effect for too long but there are other steps, we can take to try to revive the reefs themselves like probiotic treatments. For lesions, there is a probiotic paste applied to them, and for the rest there is a weighted bag placed on them, and then they are injected with probiotics.  

Other species of coral like Great Star Coral have been put in captivity and had spawn come from them since being there.  More places such as Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium has a plan to build a coral nursery. This coral nursey would be on land, and they want the help of citizen divers to help plant the coral. Not every Floridian is a driver but for those who are there are a few steps you could take to help our marine life.  

If you are ever out diving and find a patch of coral reef infected or not, do NOT touch it. Touching the coral reefs is unbelievably bad for them due to how delicate they are. The sunscreen that you are wearing also may not be safe for the coral so check the ingredients prior to getting into the water. Besides those there’s the obvious volunteering a person can do with their local marine sanctuaries or any people online who are getting together as a team to save the reefs.