Coral reef bleaching, disease outbreak protocols discussed

The workshop, inaugurated by district Collector Sandeep Nanduri, aimed to take proactive measures to tackle the issue of coral bleaching and outbreak of diseases.

Sessions were conducted to address the current status of coral reefs in India and the impact of climate change, coral bleaching and disease outbreaks in the country, said J Patterson Edward, Director, SDMRI.

It deliberated on relevant coral bleaching and disease response plans from researchers of other regions. At the workshop, participants discussed protocols that have been developed for responding to coral bleaching and disease outbreaks in India, he said. 

The workshop was attended by representatives from various government and non-government organisations, including National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Zoological Survey of India, ISRO, Indian Coast Guard, National Biodiversity Authority, National Institute of Ocean Technology, National Institute of Oceanography, Pondicherry University, Nature Conservation Foundation, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Wildlife Institute of India, and Forest officials from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Andamans. 

Besides, scientists Greta Aeby from University of Hawaii, USA and Gareth Williams from Bangor University, UK also attended the workshop, sources said.