In Indian waters, two types of coral reefs are found, branched corals and stony corals
If the abnormal SST is not coming down and no zooxanthellae is coming back and recolonise it, the coral will eventually die affecting all the wider ecosystem around it,” said Sreenath. “Such corals can survive only for about two weeks.
Director, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), when the sea surface temperature (SST) rises to an abnormal level, branched corals are particularly vulnerable to bleaching and tend to lose colours rapidly, unlike stony corals which show greater resilience to the thermal stress, at least to a certain extent, according to Grinson George. Since El Nino induced bleaching of coral reefs is a natural phenomenon, we will not be able to prevent it,” he said, adding that anthropogenic activities, including fishing and tourism activities, will have to be restricted in places near the coral reefs in order to reduce stress on them. Kochi: With the El Nino phenomenon expected to be experienced early next year, coral reefs in Indian waters are facing a growing threat of possible severe bleaching and degradation. Scientists warn that coral reefs in Indian waters, including the ones in Lakshadweep and Andaman archipelagos, will bleach and lead to their degradation. The bleaching is anticipated to begin at March-end and become severe in April and May. “Once the monsoon is over, the impact of El Nino phenomenon is expected to experience in Indian waters early next year. It is expected that bleaching of coral reefs may initiate from March and intensify it in April and May. Coral reefs in Indian waters are found in Lakshadweep, Andaman Nicobar archipelagos, the Gulf of Mannar and the Gulf of Kachchh. Besides, patchy coral formations are found at various places.