REPORT: Management of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease in TCI

#TurksandCaicosIslands, October 10, 2023 – Coral reefs are arguably the most important natural resources within the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI). The coral reefs protect our coast lines by reducing storm and tidal pressures; they provide habitats for fisheries; and they attract tourists by creating material for our beaches or themselves the natural attraction for SCUBA and snorkelling activities. Coral reefs are critical to the TCI economy both directly through our livelihoods as well as indirectly through the ecosystem services they provided. While coral reefs are important to the TCI, they are also threatened by many local and international issues including pollution, coastal development, tourism related activity, fishing pressure, hurricanes and climate change.

In 2014 a new coral disease (Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD)) was discovered off the east coast of Florida and has since spread throughout much of the wider Caribbean, including the TCI (arriving 2019). While scientists still do not know the primary pathogen involved, we know that this disease has been devastating to our coral reefs. Once infected with the disease an individual coral colony, hundreds of years old, could die in a matter of weeks or even days. Almost 9-years later, the disease continues to affect Florida’s coral reefs. SCTLD is changing the face of Caribbean coral reefs with some individual coral species experiencing near localized extinctions.

In partnership with the Gulf Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), TCI representatives from the Department of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR) and Turks & Caicos Reef Fund (TCRF) were able to learn key skills to respond to this threat. Utilizing those lessons learned and the strengths of both organizations, the TCI was able to take thorough action against SCTLD. The TCRF led their team of volunteers applying antibiotic based treatments to diseased corals. The DECR, it’sinternational partners & local volunteers began researching alternative eco-friendly SCTLD treatment methods. Local dive operators began disinfecting their SCUBA equipment to minimize disease transmission, locally. As SCTLD remains active within the TCI waters, both DECR and TCRF continue to seek additional measures to conserve TCI coral reefs, by placing some colonies in ex-situ nurseries (aquariums) to keep them healthy in a quarantine environment to preserve their genetic diversity. In-water disease treatments continue to be applied. Looking towards the future, the DECR is developing a national ‘Marine Disease & Invasive Species Response Plan’ to improve TCI’s capacity to effectively respond to future threats.

The DECR continues to thank all volunteers and private organizations who gave their support to conserve TCI coral reefs, we find strength in our community and only together can we protect our beautiful by nature Turks & Caicos Islands. With major threats like this ongoing, it is important that we minimize the impacts from local threats like pollution, coastal development and unsustainable fishing. We all have our role to play in ensuring we act responsibly.