1. Cyprus Coral Bleaching Call for Information 2012
Cyprus hosts an incredible marine animal, Corals. Corals are simple sedentary animals
capable of creating formidable structures. Home to a variety of organisms, these living
treasures are found all around the coasts of Cyprus. Why have you never seen them while
swimming? Solitary individuals (polyps) look like sea-anemones and shallow colonial forms build small
and inconspicuous colonies which tend to blend with the sea floor, making them easy to miss!
Corals just like all animals need to feed. They have tentacles to catch
their prey by either stinging or sticking to their food. Most coral
species also have a symbiotic relationship with microalgae that live
in their tissue producing food; and also give characteristic colours to
the otherwise white coral skeleton. Under stressful conditions, corals
release the symbiotic microalgae from their tissues turning white
(bleaching). Recovery from bleaching is possible but only if
conditions improve, if not then most corals will eventually die.
Healthy corals hosting symbionts are NEVER white!
Cyprus corals are bleaching. The event is affecting several coral species down to a depth of 12m and
perhaps more. We have opened a public call for help in gathering information on the current coral
bleaching and mortality events in Cyprus.
If you are snorkelling in shallow areas, SCUBA or free diving in deeper waters, please observe your
surroundings. If you notice white structures or mound-like shapes, get close and observe the different
shades of colour. If what you are observing is indeed a coral colony, it may resemble what is shown in
the photos.
To understand the extent and severity of the coral bleaching and mortality it is crucial to have a proper
record of the locations affected and other details; in order to follow the progress of the event and thus
concentrate our studies in the most affected areas.
The following list is of what we would very much appreciate to have from you and any other diver/
snorkeler that wishes to contribute to the Cyprus coral bleaching study:
1. Location name, where the corals were observed
2. Approximate depth of the observations
3. Number of coral colonies showing white areas
4. Number or coral colonies without white areas
5. Total % of bleached coral, according to your personal evaluation.
6. Photos of the corals are more than welcome. Try to include the whole of the coral colony in the
photo (like in the photos illustrating the bleaching).
Any information gathered by the active community of divers/snorkelers in the study of corals of Cyprus,
is invaluable and highly appreciated.
For further information or photos you may have on corals you may contact:
Dr. Carlos Jimenez
Tel.: +357-22-208-664
e-mails: c.jimenez@cyi.ac.cy
c.jimenez@enaliaphysis.org.cy
Internet: http://www.cyi.ac.cy
http://enaliaphysis.org.cy