From: "Precht,Bill" Subject: BAHAMAS Bleaching Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 14:14:24 -0400 Just returned from the Bahamas after a week long reef monitoring trip. Corals of the central Bahamas show extensive bleaching. Over 60% of all head corals are bleached to a depth of 20 meters around New Providence Island. Extensive bleaching (around 80%) between 15-20 meters depth. Montastrea cavernosa not bleached at all at any site or at any depth. Acropora palmata bleached on the upper sides of only the shallow most branches at Goulding Cay and Andros Island. Local dive operators consider this to be most extensive bleaching event known to date. Note surface water temps cooled by 2 degrees C in approximately 48 hours after the passage of large, long-period swell generated by Hurricane Bonnie. William F. Precht Natural Resources Manager LAW Engineering & Environmental Services, Inc. 5845 NW 158th Street Miami Lakes, FL 33014 ph (305) 826-5588 fax (305) 826-1799