Currently, the bottom water temperature of the Con Dao sea region is 32 degrees Celsius; if the sea temperature at the coral reefs does not decrease, the chances of coral recovery are very low.
On May 30, information from the Con Dao National Park Management Board reported that an actual survey of the coastal waters around the islands under its management indicated a significant area of dead and bleached corals.
Some species of bleached corals can recover significantly and have the potential to bounce back if the sea temperature drops. However, severe and prolonged bleaching could lead to the extinction of a large number of corals. (Photo: Con Dao National Park Management Board/TTXVN).
The Conservation and International Cooperation Department of the Con Dao National Park Management Board has conducted surveys of the coral reefs in the following areas: Con Son Bay, Bay Canh Island, Cau Island, Dam Tre Bay, Small Tre Island, Large Tre Island, Ong Dung, Ba Island, Tai Island, and Trung Island.
During the survey of the coral reefs, the Conservation and International Cooperation Department initially recorded a substantial amount of coral bleaching and death due to the El Niño phenomenon, which caused the bottom water to warm in April and May.
The phenomenon of coral death and bleaching has occurred frequently in Con Dao, with the most severe incidents in 1998, 2010, and 2016, attributed to the El Niño effect (a phenomenon of abnormal warming of ocean waters in the central equatorial and eastern Pacific, affecting global weather patterns).
Subsequently, the Con Dao National Park Management Board has surveyed and implemented coral restoration efforts at various island sites.
According to Mr. Le Hong Son, Head of the Conservation and International Cooperation Department at the Con Dao National Park Management Board, further surveys are needed to assess the scale and extent of coral death and bleaching this time.
The ideal living temperature for corals ranges from 24 to 30 degrees Celsius. Currently, the bottom water temperature of the Con Dao sea region is 32 degrees Celsius; if the sea temperature at the coral reefs does not decrease, the chances of coral recovery are very low, and the area of dead corals will be extensive.
The Con Dao National Park Management Board has connected with the Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography, proposing that the Institute collaborate with the Con Dao National Park to specifically survey and assess the rate of dead and bleached corals on the islands.
Corals are communities of marine invertebrates. Coral bleaching is triggered by abnormal water temperature conditions that cause corals to expel the colorful algae living within their tissues. As a result, the vibrant colors of corals fade. Without the support of algae in providing nutrients, corals cannot survive.
Some species of bleached corals can recover significantly and have the potential to bounce back if the sea temperature drops. However, severe and prolonged bleaching could lead to the extinction of a large number of corals.
