‘It Just Dies’: Yellow-band Disease Ravages Thailand’s Coral Reefs

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Pictures by Lillian Suwanrumpha. Video by Sarah Lai

Beneath the calm turquoise waters off japanese Thailand, a quickly spreading illness is killing corals over huge stretches of the ocean flooring, and scientists worry it could be getting worse due to local weather change.

Yellow-band illness — named for the color it turns corals earlier than destroying them — was first noticed many years in the past and has induced widespread injury to reefs within the Caribbean. There is no such thing as a recognized remedy.

However it was detected for the primary break day Thailand’s japanese coast simply final 12 months, close to the favored vacationer metropolis of Pattaya, and has already unfold over roughly 600 acres (240 hectares) of the ocean.

“I have not seen something like this earlier than,” mentioned marine scientist Lalita Putchim, of Thailand’s Division of Marine and Coastal Assets.

“All over the place we went we noticed it, and we count on to see extra of it as we go.”

Scientists consider overfishing, air pollution and rising water temperatures due to local weather change could also be making the reefs extra susceptible to yellow-band illness.

The illness’s impression can’t be reversed, not like the results of coral bleaching.

“When the coral is contaminated with this illness, it simply dies,” Lalita mentioned.

The lack of corals might have a devastating impression on the ecosystem — the reef is “like a forest”, sustaining huge quantities of life, and its loss of life might ultimately impression people too, she added.

Thai scientists are hoping their investigation into this outbreak will assist discover a strategy to cease or remedy yellow-band illness.

On one analysis journey close to Samaesan island in Chonburi district, Lalita and her group donned diving gear on a ship earlier than heading underwater.

They photographed contaminated corals, taking measurements and pictures whereas harvesting samples to review later.

Thai marine authorities are utilizing social media to trace experiences of contaminated reefs, and have additionally requested the general public to report any sightings of affected corals.

Thai researchers have additionally been aided by native volunteers, in addition to enterprise proprietor Thanapon Chaivanichakul, who collected underwater photographic proof.

“I used to be shocked once I first noticed it,” Thanapon advised AFP, utilizing a collection of expletives to explain the illness.

The illness can also be a menace to the livelihoods of many within the space.

Choopan Sudjai, the proprietor of a sightseeing boat, depends on the revenue from vacationers who come to see the world’s pure magnificence — particularly the coral reefs.

“Now that the coral has been contaminated and can be destroyed, what’s going to we do in 5 years?” mentioned the 55-year-old.

“It feels as if our own residence has been destroyed.”