Why NOAA Caribbean Coral Reef Watch Coral Reef Bleaching means ParrotFish Ban

Folks taking a dive in our crystal clear waters, we have a problem; our coral is suffering from bleaching.

And according to the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Organization) Caribbean Coral Reef Watch, it’s set to get worse in August 2016 as reported in the article “Caribbean reefs under bleaching alert”, published June 10, 2016 by Alina Doonath, LoopJamaica. 

Dr. Gregor Hodgson (Reef Check) and Dr Mark Eakin of the NOAA gave their account of the 3^rd Global Coral Bleaching event in 2015 as reported in the article “NOAA declares third ever global coral bleaching event”, published October 8, 2015, NOAA.

This Global Coral Bleaching event is currently affecting reefs worldwide and has already bleached and killed large areas of Coral Reef in water of the coastal areas of the following countries:

1.      American Samoa

2.      Australia

3.      Christmas Island, an atoll in Kiribati

4.      Florida

5.      Hawaii

6.      Indian Ocean

7.      Jarvis Island

8.      Southern and southeast Asia, coral triangle

9.      Western and central Pacific

So how did the NOAA determine that the 2016 Coral Bleaching was going to be much worse?

NOAA Caribbean Coral Reef Watch Bleaching Alert Level 1 - Coral Bleaching in Jamaica

NOAA's Coral Watch Program predicted that 2016 will be much worse as noted in the article

“Coral Bleaching Linked to Climate Change, Other Factors” published June 9, 2016 by Tim Profeta, National Geographic.

Their warning was based on satellite data and climate models and reports from several of its virtual stations in the south-western portion of the basin. It was on this basis that they issued a Bleaching Watch or Bleaching Warning was issued.

The NOAA Caribbean Coral Reef Watch is predicting a bleaching Alert Level 1 within the Caribbean within the next nine to twelve (12) weeks, specifically in:

1.      Jamaica

2.      Aruba

3.      Central Bahamas

4.      Bonaire

5.      North-east and North-west Cuba

6.      Curacao

So what is causing this increased level of Coral bleaching? So how bad could it possibly be?

Coral Bleaching in Jamaica - Parrotfish and Sea Urchins ban needed more than ever

The bleaching of coal is caused by Coral Reef dying due to changes in the water acidity level as well as temperature cause by Global Warming as pointed out by the NOAA Caribbean Coral Reef Watch.

However, human interference by eating Parrotfish and Sea Urchins that help to maintain Coral Reefs is also a factor as explained in my blog article entitled “How Parrotfish and Sea Urchins ban saves Coral Reef, Beaches and US$3 billion Jamaican Tourism”.

If the water temperature rises as the NOAA predicts, any accelerated bleaching effect could be naturally countered by the presence of the Parrotfish and Sea Urchins. This as the Parrotfish and Sea Urchins help to rebuild and maintain the reef as pointed out by the article “To Save Coral Reefs, Start With Parrotfish”, published July 2, 2014 by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, National Geographic.

Hence the reason why a ban on eating Parrotfish and capturing Sea Urchins to make craft items is necessary as predicted in my blog article entitled “How a Parrotfish Ban with Lionfish replacement will save Coral Reefs”.

So, in order to help the Coral Reefs recover, the Government of Jamaica and particularly NEPA and the Seabed Authority have to issue a ban on the fishing of ParrotFish and Sea Urchins. Otherwise, our Tourism sector will lose millions of dollars due to the loss of Coral Reefs and eventually white sand beaches due to the worsening effects of Bleaching.