Caribbean coral reefs face disease threatCEFR A2
13 May 2025
Adapted from Janine Mendes-Franco, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Renaldo Matamoro, Unsplash
Caribbean coral reefs face growing threats from warmer sea temperatures, acidification, overfishing and pollution. The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) in Trinidad and Tobago warns about Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). Scientists first noted it in Florida in 2014 and it has spread to many Caribbean islands.
The disease causes lesions where coral tissue dies and can kill coral in weeks to months. It spreads by direct contact, water currents and ballast water, so ports are often early sites of infection. Some infected corals are treated with antibiotics and some are moved to land facilities for protection.
SCTLD has affected many stony coral species and threatens species common in Tobago. The IMA received a 2024 grant and in January 2025 its ecologists trained in Colombia. The IMA asks sea-goers to report signs with the seaiTT app and to avoid touching coral.
Difficult words
- acidification — increase of acid in seawater
- overfishing — catching too many fish from the sea
- pollution — harmful waste that makes water dirty
- lesion — area on coral where tissue is deadlesions
- ballast water — ship water used for stability during travel
- antibiotic — medicine used to kill bacteria in animalsantibiotics
- grant — money given for a specific project
- ecologist — scientist who studies animals and plantsecologists
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever seen coral in the sea? Describe it.
- Why are ports often early sites of infection for this disease?
- What can people do to help protect coral where they live?
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