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Episode 1103: Corals in Crisis

Florida's fragile coral reefs are in crisis. Once vibrant cities of the sea, these biodiverse ecosystems have declined over the past few decades. Fishing pressures, pollution, development, and climate change have all left their mark.

Now, a new ailment known as “Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease” may be the last nail in the coffin. This disease is infecting over half of the reef-building corals at an unprecedented scale, killing most of the corals that get sick. But all hope is not lost. Experts of varying backgrounds are working diligently to figure out what is causing the disease, while simultaneously developing techniques to treat outbreaks and restore the sunshine state’s coral reefs to their former glory.


Experts

Meet the experts featured in this episode.


Special Thanks:

 

Looe Key Reef Resort and Dive Center
27340 Overseas Hwy
Ramrod Key, FL 33042
(305) 872-2215

 

Hotel Indigo Sarasota
1223 Boulevard of the Arts
Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 487-3800

 

Ponce de León Hotel
95 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 550-9300


Image Credits

Changing Seas would like to thank the following individuals and institutions who kindly allowed their footage, images and other media to be used in this production:

Joseph A. Henry
Triton Oceanographic Exploration Society
TritonOES.com

iStock.com/randywentling

Karen Neely, Ph.D.
Nova Southeastern University

Keri O’Neil
The Florida Aquarium

Mote Marine Laboratory

Richard Ross
California Academy of Sciences

Brian Walker, Ph.D.
Nova Southeastern University

Coral Restoration FoundationTM

Katie Eaton
Mote Marine Laboratory

Sarah Hamlyn
Mote Marine Laboratory

Jan Landsberg
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Cindy Lewis, Ph.D.
FIO's Keys Marine Laboratory, hosted by USF

Research inside the Florida Keys National
Marine Sanctuary conducted under permits
FKNMS-2016-062 & FKNMS-2015-156.


Funding for this episode of Changing Seas was provided by:

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