Good evening friends and new visitors. Over the past years we have all been starting to see a real change in our reefs here in Curacao and not for the better. I think it’s safe to say, the reefs are in trouble along with the rest of the planet. There are now countless spots in Curacao where we have moss or algae growing on top of our poor corals and you can’t remove it like you can with sand and silt with the wave of your hand, this stuff sticks like glue! Scientists have discovered an indirect microbial mechanism whereby bacteria kill coral with the help of algae. Human activities are contributing to the growth of algae on coral reefs, setting the stage for the long-term continued decline of coral. A recent scientific study shows that bacteria are the front line that kill corals, algae release sugar, fueling bacterial growth on the corals. These bacteria suffocate the coral by cutting off the supply of oxygen. Once the corals die, this frees more space for more algae to grow. Scientists think this process sets up a positive feedback loop that accelerates the rate of decline in already damaged reef ecosystems. There are also many other conditions that put coral reefs at risk. Overfishing reduces the number of fish that graze on algae, thus increasing the amount of algae on the reef. Nutrients from sewage and agricultural run-off fertilize the algae. Warmer water and more intense hurricanes resulting from global climate change are also blamed for coral death. Hey, it’s all good information, public awareness is the first step the rest is up to us.