Date: Mon, 14 Sep 98 04:48:02 -0400
Reply-To: Richard@soc.plym.ac.uk (Richard Merritt)

------------------------------------------------------------
After Effects of Coral Bleaching in the MALDIVES

Coral bleaching was reported in the Maldives during last May 
following a number of weeks of elevated sea temperatures.

Between 3rd and 15th August I dived on numerous reefs in 
North and South Male, Ari and Rasdhoo atolls. I know these 
areas well from a number of previous trips. I observed almost 
total coral death. With the exception of one tilla I found hardly 
any unaffected coral at any depth. There was no longer much 
bleaching to be seen as about 90% of all corals were overgrown 
with algae. A few small live corals were found (mostly acropora) 
but not a single massive porites coral was found which wasn't 
either entirely dead, covered in algae or almost totally bleached.

The one tilla (a totally submerged reef in a channel)which we 
found with still the majority of its coral largely unaffected was 
Furana Tilla on the eastern side of North Male atoll a few km 
north of the airport. This tilla had about 70% of its coral intact 
which was in complete contrast to our observations every where 
else we dived. However the reefs on the side of the channel in 
which this tilla lies were in a similar state to the other areas with 
almost no living coral to be found. The tilla is swept by strong 
currents most of the time which may be a significant factor.

I estimated that with the exception of Furana Tilla less than 5% 
of the coral we observed was unbleached. It was difficult to find 
any intact corals. On our return to Male I learnt that the operators 
of other boats returning from various atolls were reporting similar 
findings.

Almost all the anemones (mostly Heteractis species) were also 
bleached but seemed otherwise in good condition.


Richard Merritt
University of Plymouth