Last Update: December 29, 2022, 10:21 IST
Thai marine authorities are using social media to track reports of infected reefs, and have also asked the public to report any sightings of affected corals. (Credits: AFP)
Scientists believe that overfishing, pollution and rising water temperatures due to climate change could make reefs more vulnerable to yellow-band disease.
Beneath the calm turquoise waters of eastern Thailand, a rapidly spreading disease is killing coral over vast stretches of the ocean floor, and scientists fear it could get worse due to climate change. Yellow-band disease – named for the color it turns corals before destroying them – was first noticed decades ago and has caused widespread damage to reefs in the Caribbean. There is no known cure. But it was first detected off Thailand’s east coast last year near the popular tourist city of Pattaya, and has spread to some 600 acres (240 hectares) of sea.
“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” said Lalita Putchim, a marine scientist at Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources.
“Everywhere we went we saw it, and we expect to see more of it as we go.”
Scientists believe that overfishing, pollution and rising water temperatures due to climate change could make reefs more vulnerable to yellow-band disease.
Unlike the effects of coral bleaching, the effects of disease cannot be reversed.
“When coral is infected with this disease, it dies,” said Lalita.
The loss of coral could have a devastating effect on an ecosystem — the reef is “like a jungle,” sustaining enormous amounts of life, and its death could eventually affect humans as well, she said.
Thai scientists are hoping that their investigation into this outbreak will help find a way to prevent or cure yellow-band disease.
On a research trip near Samsen Island in Chonburi district, Lalitha and her team put on diving gear on a boat before going under water.
They infected corals, took measurements and photographs while harvesting specimens to study later.
Thai marine authorities are using social media to track reports of infected reefs, and have also asked the public to report any sightings of affected corals.
The Thai researchers were assisted by local volunteers as well as business owner Thanapon Chaiwanichkul, who collected underwater photographic evidence.
“I was shocked when I first saw it,” Thanapon told AFP, using a series of expletives to describe the disease.
The disease is also a threat to the livelihood of many people in the region.
Chupan Sudjai, the owner of the sightseeing boat, depends on the income from tourists who come to see the natural beauty of the area – especially the coral reefs.
“Now that the coral is infected and will be destroyed, what will we do in five years?” the 55-year-old said.
“It is as if our own house has been destroyed.”
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)