Corals at risk as Caribbean waters warm again

Scientists are worried that as the Caribbean waters get warmer, there may be a repeat of the widespread coral death as a result of bleaching, that took place in 2005. As U.S. Geological Survey biologist Caroline Rogers told The Associated Press "about 40 percent of coral died around parts of the U.S. Virgin Islands last year, and the coral that survived likely isn't healthy enough to survive another hot summer". Rogers has studied Coral reefs in the U.S Virgin Islands for 22 years and is worried that the warming situation is looking a lot like that which occured in 2005. She also states that it is almost impossible to stress how important this is. Coral in Puerto Rico and the U.S Virgin Islands that are disease infested and bleached by warm waters, was especially hard hit last year.

Tyler Smith, a marine researcher at the University of the Virgin Islands states that "the rising temperatures appeared to be something new that the corals aren't used to" and he has "seen some very large colonies — 100-year-old colonies — in the Virgin Islands that have completely died".

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said waters were also warmer than usual in the South Pacific, mid-Atlantic and Indian oceans this month.

Coral reefs form a part of the Caribbean's multi-billion dollar tourism industry, as it is visited by tourist who are diving or snorkelling in the water. Read more at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12475917/