Tag: Coral monitoring

Isla Fuerte is a district of Cartagena, it is located on the coast of Córdoba, the source of the Sinú River; from the Tinajones delta it transports a large amount of sediment on the island. We shared with you the most outstanding results of the past Isla Fuerte Reef Check , where we estimated the cover of different categories of substrate in three sites around the island. It is evident that towards the east of the island we find a greater development of the reef formations. The hard coral (HC) has maintained its representativeness since 2017 (Venados and Fondo Loco). Infographics with most relevant results of the Isla Fuerte Reef Check 2021 expedition. The most common groups of fish are butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae), grunts (Haemulidae), and parrotfish (Scaridae). This island is a fishing community, so maintaining an ecological and economic balance is vital. It is good news to know that herbivores and primary predators are being conserved. Few indicator invertebrates such as sea urchins and lobsters were reported. However, octocorals or soft corals were abundant in Fondo Loco (20 individuals on average in 100mt2). The climatic dynamics in the area influence the way currents carry sediments from the continent and change the salinity and pH of the water. These sediments can carry viruses and bacteria and are difficult for hard corals to remove, so they can cover and drown them. However, in the evaluated sites no signs of disease were observed, particularly of the Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) that is killing corals in other parts of the Caribbean. High coral cover was found but damage to the coral by anchors and entangled fishing lines was evident. Isla Fuerte Reef Check 2021Isla Fuerte Reef Check 2021Isla Fuerte Reef Check 2021Isla Fuerte Reef Check 2021 Join us at the San Andrés