NOAA to release response plan for coral disease

UPDATED: September 28, 2022. This press event has been moved to 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 5, due to Hurricane Ian.
Image showing Rico Diaz swimming past a heavily diseased brain coral.

Rico Diaz swims past a heavily diseased brain coral. (Image credit: U.S. National Park Service)

RESOURCES
Audio: October 5, 2022 media briefing on NOAA's plan for responding to stony coral tissue loss disease

 

 

Examples of stony coral tissue loss disease affecting star coral, maze coral, and pillar coral in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Scientists observe and record disease progression on a large pillar coral colony.

On Wednesday, October 5, NOAA will announce a plan to guide future actions to treat and prevent the spread of a disease affecting coral reefs in Florida and the U.S. Caribbean. The plan will also include actions to prevent the spread of the disease to the Indo-Pacific.  

Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, first identified in 2014, has harmed more than 22 species of stony corals in Florida, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, and continues to spread across the Caribbean. Cases have been confirmed in at least 20 countries and territories. 

WHAT

News teleconference on coral disease response plan, followed by Q&A.

For credentialed reporters only.

WHEN

Wednesday, October 5, 3:00 p.m. ET

WHO

  • Jennifer Koss, director, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program
  • Caroline McLaughlin, national coral disease coordinator, Florida Sea Grant
  • Andy Bruckner, research coordinator, NOAA Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

HOW

Dial-in: 1-415-228-4947 (international: 888-324-9424), Passcode: CORALS

 

 

Media contact

Jennie Lyons, jennie.lyons@noaa.gov, (202) 603-9372

Related Features //

RESOURCES
Audio: October 5, 2022 media briefing on NOAA's plan for responding to stony coral tissue loss disease

 

 

Examples of stony coral tissue loss disease affecting star coral, maze coral, and pillar coral in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Scientists observe and record disease progression on a large pillar coral colony.