=========================  Bleaching Report  ===========================


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************************* Bleaching in Tanga ***************************
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Report from:  Eric Verheij - TA TCZCDP
              Hassan Kalombo - Reef Monitroing Co-ordinator TCZCDP

Date:         22 April 2003

"The Tanga Coastal Zone Conservation and Development Programme 
conducted from 16 to 21 April their semi-annual reef monitoring 
programme in the southern part of the Tanga Region. In that period the 
reefs of Mkwaja and Kipumbwi Villages were assessed. Several species of 
fungid corals are either fully bleached or dead. In addition, Porites 
spp. and Acropora spp are paling or completely bleached. Fully 
bleached colonies were mainly observed in shallow water, similar as 
reported by David Obura for Kenya. 
 
"At the moment the surface water temperature of Tanga area is 28.6 
Celcius. No significant rainfall has occurred during the past few 
months and we have encountered recently extreme spring tides."

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NOAA's Coral Reef Watch Project
NOAA/NESDIS

22 April 2003