Cayman’s coral bleaching was noticeably widespread last year, and for someone who has been diving in Grand Cayman for many years, it was the worst I have seen. My first dive on the North wall in May would normally fill me with awe at the lush underwater flora and fauna. Not this year however. I was horrified at the health of the coral reef, which does not seem to have recovered from the coral beaching in summer 2009. Although the second dive site fared better in terms of coral health, coral bleaching is a prominent issue worldwide and we are likely to see more rather than less of it if water temperatures continue to rise.
 
High ocean temperatures have been linked to increased coral bleaching for quite some time. The Great Barrier Reef saw a massive outbreak of coral bleaching in 2002, the same summer that resulted in the highest recorded water temperatures since 1870 according to the Australian Institute of Marine Science.
 
Coral can recover from coral bleaching once water temperatures begin to cool, if the period of coral bleaching was not too extreme or lengthy.
 
However, like any patient in recovery, the coral is extremely sensitive and fragile and should be treated with extreme care during, or recovering from, the ‘bleached’ state.
 
We will most likely see coral bleaching again this summer (some corals have not fully recovered from last year); therefore, it is important we all do our bit to help protect the coral.   WH

Never drop an anchor on the reef - use mooring buoys which are provided.
Do not touch or kick the coral.
Reduce pollution where possible.
Reduce carbon emissions.
Remember all drains run to the sea.

For further info on coral bleaching and how you can get involved, visit reefresearch.org and science.org.au/nova