Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 13:15:40 -0400
Subject: Bleaching   PHILIPPINES
>Date: Wed, 9 Sep 98 04:13:57 -0400

>From: mifsudj@placer.com.au (Joe Mifsud)


I am a marine environmental biologist working in the PHILIPPINES. 
My college (Ruben Estudillio) and I detected extensive coral 
bleaching in our routine monitoring program on Marinduque Island, 
during the first week of August.  Subsequent dives in the Batangs 
region confirmed that the coral bleaching extended to this area.  The 
bleaching was not as severe in the Batangas region.

The most effected corals were the Acropora, Pocilloporas and 
Montipora.  Other corals effected were Favia, Symphyllia, Porites 
(only slightly) and Fungia.


Thank you for your column.



Joe Mifsud