Global warming of the sea and more frequent periods of abnormally high sea temperatures affect the coral reefs of the Saba Bank. IMARES Research shows that many large coral colonies have dead spots. A more positive result is that hardly any diseases were found on the corals.
Photo: Large colony of coral split into several smaller parts by dead spots.
The Saba Bank near the island of Saba is the biggest undersea atoll in the Caribbean and one of the largest atolls in the world. The Saba Bank is an extremely rich area in terms of biodiversity and has been declared a nature park.
» Short report health status Saba Bank (in Dutch)
» Cruise report: Saba Bank; health status 2010