From: reefmonitor@eureka.lk Date: Fri, 23 Oct 1998 19:10:48 +0500 Subject: Bleaching in LAKSHADWEEP, INDIA Just to add to the recent catalogue of post-bleaching misery ... we recently conducted a rapid survey at Kadmat Island in Lakshadweep, India using ReefCheck methods. An outer-atoll seaward reef slope was chosen for its luxuriant coral cover in previous years. From verbal reports and extent of dead coral now, pre-bleaching live coral cover was probably in excess of 80-90% in places. Results of the survey confirmed heavy mortality along lines reported elsewhere in the Indian Ocean. At 3m depth, only 3% live coral cover was recorded, with 87% dead branching and table forms. At 10m, live coral cover was 7%, with 43% cover by dead branching and table forms, and a further 38% rocky substrate, much of which appeared to be recently scoured massive coral forms, though impossible to be certain. Not all reefs in Lakshadweep appear to have suffered quite so severely, but these results seem to some extent representative. Further info. available from Dr Syed Ismail Koya, Dept of Science, Technology & Environment, Lakshadweep and GCRMN South Asia regional office. Full results also submitted to ReefCheck. Jason Rubens Regional Co-ordinator Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) South Asia Region IOC-UNESCO/ UNEP/ IUCN 48 Vajira Road Colombo 5 Sri Lanka