STONY CORAL TISSUE
LOSS DISEASE

An unprecedented disease called stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) has been afflicting Caribbean reefs since 2014. This disease was first reported in Roatan in September of 2020, thanks to a citizen science report. Since its first report, RMP has worked tirelessly to prioritize treatment and monitoring actions to mitigate the effects of the disease.

Thanks to generous support from the Mesoamerican Reef Fund (MAR Fund), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and other partners, RMP has led one of the most extensive interventions in the Mesoamerican Reef. We have successfully tagged and treated 1,373 corals, applied more than 3,000 treatments, treated more than 4000 lesions on 24 different species, and did all of this at 48 dive sites around the Bay Islands, including Utila and the Cayos Cochinos’ seamounts. Although treatment is not always guaranteed to halt the progression of the disease, we have observed between 50-65% efficacy.

Our long-term monitoring has tracked the progression, prevalence, and stages of SCTLD at 21 sites islandwide. More than 40,000 observations were made, and 36 species were consistently monitored. Approximately 95% of the sites monitored are currently showing signs of the disease, highlighting the rapid progression that characterizes SCTLD.

ABOUT
SCTLD

40K

observations made of monitoring

-2021

1.3K

corals tagged in 48 diving sites

-2021

36

species monitored

-2021

24

Elkhorn

sites intervened

-2021

One of the major highlights of the response coordination has been engaging actively with a wide range of stakeholders to increase awareness on the disease and encourage more people to join the efforts. Dive shops were engaged through our “Adopt a Dive Site” initiative to treat and reassess priority colonies on the west and south sides of the island. RMP is proud that Honduras is one of the few countries in the Caribbean where dive centers have successfully joined SCTLD efforts and remain fully committed to mitigate the impact of the disease.

All the experiences and lessons learned has enabled the RMP to lead the way for others to rapidly act in the fight against SCTLD. We have trained colleagues at organizations in Tela, Cayos Cochinos, Utila, Roatan, and Guanaja, in both monitoring and intervention of SCTLD.

FAQ

Ways to help

Have you seen this tag?

Divers and snorkelers in Roatan can assist in monitoring the effectiveness of experimental treatments on diseased corals. You’ll find hundreds of tags on treated corals around Flowers Bay, West Bay, West End, Sandy Bay and Mudhole

Make a Report

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Divers Guidelines

We encourage all divers to follow the gear disinfecting guidelines when diving in healthy dive sites in Cayos Cochinos, Utila, and Guanaja.

Help us fight SCTLD!
Download the Guidelines here

Download

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make the difference

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MORE RESOURCES

05:35

How To Treat Corals Affected by Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease

Currently the only effective method being used to treat Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease is the topical application of antibiotics, specifically amoxicillin, using a specially developed pharmaceutical paste called Base2B. This video will demonstrate how to apply the Base2B/amoxicillin mixture to corals that have been affected by the disease.

03:42

Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease Response

A short video on SCTLD and the response of the RMP for its prevention in Roatan

03:32

How Fishers Can Help to Prevent Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease

Since 2014 Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease has affected 17 countries and territories throughout the Wider Caribbean Region. This video will provide information on how fishers can help identify and prevent the spread of disease throughout the region.