THREE [2] BLEACHING REPORTS: [Below] Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1998 11:25:46 -0500 From: Humberto Subject: Coral Beaching in MEXICAN CARIBBEAN Two weeks ago as part of my doctoral dissertation I did some sampling in the coral reef of Mahahual, in the Mexican Caribbean close to the city of Chetumal. The water temperature in this place increased from 82 to 88 F (27.7 to 31.1 C). While diving nears the crest of reef I noticed clear pale corals, genus Mantastrea, Porites and Agarica which looks as bleaching. I have samples of those corals as well as color slides. Looks like the first report of bleaching in Mexico. Jose Humberto Alvarez Hernandez Centro de Investigacion y Estudios Avanzados del I.P.N. unidad Merida. Merida Yucatan, Mexico. Carretera Antigua a Progreso Km. 6 C.P. 97310. Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1998 16:10:02 +0800 From: pipuli@ozamiz.com Subject: coral bleaching - PHILIPPINES This month, fishers of our organized groups consulted us about corals dying in the area. Myself and Arjan (both marine biologists) went for a dive to inspect (October 13). We observed that the corals of the entire DANAO BAY has suffered bleaching. Most of the soft corals were affected, all turning white and rotting, some massive and sub-massive forms (staghorn, brain type) colors turning violet and white. We also noticed that the "fire corals" were not affected, maybe this is something to do with ultraviolet rays, because of the pigmentation of the fire corals (absorbs UV light),there is no effect, or maybe it has high tolerance or has not shown any effect yet (not yet noticeable). The fishermen said that it started in September, we also heard observations from neighboring islands in the Philippines (Bohol and Dumaguete). With this, I would like to inquire if it is happening in other places outside the Philippines, if it is, we may dealing with a global situation. Next week were trying to put it on our homepage Area of detection: DANAO BAY Baliangao, Misamis Occidental Philippines