VietNamNet Bridge – As the sea temperatures increase, a large area of coral off Con Dao Island has been bleached white and is no longer living. In some areas there is whitening of up to 70% of coral.

On June 16, the management board of Con Dao National Park said corals in the waters of Con Dao island district have been dying on a large scale ranging from 600 to 800 hectares.

The bleaching phenomenon began in mid-March and it spread throughout the entire coral reef of Con Dao, threatening the existence of the coral community in the area, the management board said.

In the eastern region of Con Dao, at the locations of Cua Ga, Hon Tai, Bai Duong, Cat Lon, Xi Mang, Co Van, Hon Cau, Bai Vong, Bo Dap and Dam Tre, the average rate of bleached coral is about 60-70%.

In the western region, at the locations of Dam The, Hon Tre Lon, Hon Tre Nho, Ong Cau, DK Cape, Ong Dung, Dam Trau, and Ong Cuong, the average rate of bleached coral is about 10-20%.

Surveys showed that the increase of sea temperature under the effects of El Niño which lasted through 2015 and the early months of 2016 had caused it.

Study from the board’s maritime conservation department showed that most of Porites, round-shaped Fungiidae and Poritidae corals in these locations were completely bleached and at high risk of dying.

Pocillopora corals, meanwhile, mostly saw bleaching on their branches, with Algae colours still spotted on their core bodies. However, the Pocillopora corals would die eventually, if the heated condition persists.

The Con Dao National Park management board is keeping an eye on the coral reefs to take measures to cope with the phenomenon.

The park authorities have also joined the Nha Trang Oceanography Institute to investigate the situation and find appropriate solutions to save the coral.

In 1998 and 2010, bleaching also took place in Con Dao, with some coral areas unable to recover naturally.