Increasing sea surface temperatures, and prolonged occurrences of these increases, have caused several mass bleaching events around the world in the last two decades. Fortunately, the U.S. Virgin Islands have not seen a mass bleaching event since 2010; even still, they are taking steps to be prepared should another mass bleaching event occur.
In 2011, the USVI developed a bleaching response plan that outlines a two-tiered process for monitoring and responding to coral bleaching events. The first tier is the BleachWatch VI program, a citizen science-based program that trains recreational divers and snorkelers to recognize bleaching and other climate change-related impacts and to report their observations.
“As managers, we can’t always get in the water as much as we’d like. That’s where programs like BleachWatch VI come in—it helps put eyes on the reef to inform us of current conditions and alert us of any significant changes”, said Leslie Henderson, Coral Reef Initiative Coordinator for the USVI Dept. of Planning and Natural Resources.
To date, the BleachWatch VI program has successfully trained more than 104 volunteers to assess and report coral bleaching.
“BleachWatch addresses a local coral reef management need while simultaneously providing a perfect avenue for coral reef education”, said Leslie. “Getting the community involved and teaching them not only to enjoy the reef but look at it with a more scientific eye helps foster a deeper appreciation of coral reefs. BleachWatch gives the average USVI resident an opportunity to get to know, and love, their local reefs a little better.”
The second tier of the bleaching response plan includes advanced monitoring surveys carried out by marine professionals. Together, these volunteer-based and professional monitoring efforts can enhance reef resilience by informing conservation efforts.
In 2017, reef managers from the USVI traveled to Florida, where there has been significant bleaching in recent years, to learn from reef managers. Coral managers in the USVI applied lessons learned in Florida to enhance and update the USVI bleaching response plan. The updated plan now includes a communications plan and clear designation of partner responsibilities. These updates help to further prepare the USVI management community to monitor and document the impacts of climate change on coral reefs and inform response and restoration efforts.
