Scientists Taking Closer Look At Coral Disease, Water Currents

As the impact of the devastating 2005 coral bleaching and disease event begins to set in, scientists from a variety of agencies are taking a closer look at local reef recovery. High water temperatures and an uncontrolled disease in the fall of uA‹A“05 sent a lethal blow to local reefs, wiping out about 50 percent of live coral throughout the territory. Now scientists are trying to see how underwater preserves have the potential to reverse the damage. The U.S. Geological Survey is funding a $300,000, three year study on the connectivity of coral and fish and the impacts of the V.I. National Park, V.I. Coral Reef National Monument and Buck Island Reef National Monument on other underwater resources...