Protecting Tobago from Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease
Prepared by: Hannah Lochan, Marine Technician Cruise ship season is here again after a long break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As we welcome visitors to experience our beautiful twin islands, there is one passenger we hope is not on board any cruise ship - the lethal pathogen that causes Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD)! This pathogen can be transported via ballast water in ships and is extremely virulent causing its own underwater coral epidemic having already decimated coral reefs in the region. Potential spread of SCTLD When a ship is preparing for a voyage, it often takes in saltwater into large holding tanks in its...
January 13, 2023