From hendee@aoml.noaa.gov Fri Sep 4 07:52:18 1998 Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1998 11:34:52 -0400 (EDT) From: Jim Hendee To: coral@aoml.noaa.gov Subject: Re: Bleaching in the Philippines (fwd) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1998 14:48:28 PDT From: Fiona Gell To: Jim Hendee Subject: Re: Bleaching in the Philippines Dear Jim, > > during a brief visit to reefs in Northern Palawan (Philippines) I observed extensive bleaching at numerous sites at > > El Nido (Bacuit Bay) and Coron Island. > > > > Bleaching affected a wide range of coral genera and in some cases whole colonies of Acropora and Porites > > measuring in excess of 4 m2. > > > > In conversations with local dive shop guides, it would appear that bleaching is now present at most if not all dive > > sites in the area around El Nido and Coron Island. In addition both dive guides and fishermen have remarked > > that sea temperatures have been higher than usual (as measured by their diving consoles). > > What were the temperatures? Temperatures were typically in excess of 32C, as measured by dive gear. This was the case at 10m depth as well as surface. > (Dr) David Medio