Florida Reef Tract Coral Disease Outbreak

Scientists, policy makers, and the public are responding to a disease event affecting the continental United States' only living barrier reef.

Florida's coral reefs are experiencing a multi-year outbreak of stony coral tissue loss disease. While disease outbreaks are not uncommon, this event is unique due to its large geographic range, extended duration, rapid progression, high rates of mortality and the number of species affected. The disease is thought to be caused by bacteria and can be transmitted to other corals through direct contact and water circulation. Researchers are working to identify potential pathogens and relationships with environmental factors, strategies to treat diseased colonies, and identify genotypes of corals that are resistant to the disease.

News

Wanted: Coral Disease Response Coordinator

The Coral Disease Response Coordinator will facilitate exchange of information among 10 established research teams. Information from the teams will inform an overall Florida Coral Disease Response Plan for the state and federal government. Apply by Oct. 1, 2018.

Disease Progression Slows

Scientists monitoring stony coral tissue loss disease in the Lower Florida Keys report a slowdown in the disease progression. As of early September, the disease front was located approximately five miles southwest of Looe Key.

Coral Rescue Mission

Cactus coral being collected from a reef

During an initial coral rescue mission in mid-September 2018, divers collected 88 colonies of corals in the Lower Florida Keys ahead of the disease front. The corals, representing 10 species susceptible to stony coral tissue loss disease, are banked to preserve genetic diversity for future restoration efforts. The genetic management plan in response to the disease outbreak calls for the collection of as many as 200 colonies of each susceptible species.

Healthy, disease-susceptible corals found near Miami

a healthy susceptible species coral in area with infected coral

On a routine site assessment of the Port of Miami Anchorage Area, Florida Department of Environmental Protection divers found apparently healthy colonies of two of the most susceptible species to stony coral tissue-loss disease: one colony each of Maze Coral (Meandrina meandrites) and Symmetrical Brain Coral (Pseudodiploria strigosa). The team also found two apparently healthy colonies of Great Star Coral (Montastraea cavernosa), a species that often suffers from longer-term, chronic infections. The anchorage is situated in an area that has been impacted by this disease for nearly four years, suggesting that these corals are either exceptionally lucky or somehow are resistant to the disease. The colonies may prove vital to reseeding Southeast Florida reefs with these increasingly rare species.

More News

Call to Action

Report both healthy and unhealthy corals to assist in tracking the disease outbreak.

Submit a Report

Restoration in the Age of Disease

Sept. 17, 2018, 1-4 p.m.

As Florida faces an unprecedented disease outbreak involving more than half of its coral species, many restoration practitioners and environmental managers are wondering how best to responsibly continue restoration efforts for both affected and unaffected species in the face of disease.

Florida Keys Community College Hosts Coral Disease Talk

Sept. 19, 2018, 7 p.m.

Dr. Andrew Bruckner, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary research coordinator and world-renowned coral scientist, will describe the impacts on the coral ecosystem as well as the multi-pronged, collaborative response to combat the killer disease. Admission is free and open to the public.

Outbreak Situation

In April 2018, scientists confirmed that the coral disease outbreak had traversed the 7-mile bridge channel and is active at Looe Key, an iconic reef popular with divers. All indications are that it is continuing to move south through Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

animated map showning the progression of coarl disease outbreak extent across the flordia reef tract

Economic Impact

Southeast Florida's coral reef ecosystem supports 70,000+ jobs equaling $6.4 billion in sales and income annually.

In the Florida Keys, 58% of all jobs are tied to the reef with marine activities generating $2.36 billion in sales and income annually.

The reef is a natural buffer for Florida's shoreline, lessening the strength of waves and protecting human life and property.

The Coral Reef Economy is bigger than you think.

How valuable is the Florida Reef Tract? Explore this Ocean Wealth Map

Partners

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Coral Reef Conservation Program

Disease FAQ

logos of organizations involved in the response