By Alexandra Contreras | Project Coordinator
This past summer, a Rutgers University team from Bhattacharya Lab took a journey to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, to join forces with our team at Fundación Grupo Punta Cana’s Marine Innovation Center. Over five days in June, we rolled up our sleeves to tackle some of the most urgent challenges facing coral ecosystems in the region.
The focus? Two critical coral diseases wreaking havoc in both nurseries and wild populations: Caribbean Yellow Band Disease (CYBD) and Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). These diseases aren’t just a threat to corals—they’re a warning bell for the health of the entire marine ecosystem.
In partnership with Dr. Aldo Croquer from the Nature Conservancy and this dedicated team from the Bhattacharya Lab (including Dr. Debashish Bhattacharya himself), we sharpened our focus on diagnosing and understanding the scope of these devastating diseases on our own reefs. An experimental design plan made by Dr. Croquer was followed for the sample collection process and we collected samples from coral nurseries and wild corals at three different localities: Punta Cana, Bayahibe and Boca de Yuma in collaboration with the team at FUNDEMAR.
This visit wasn’t just about research—it was about action. By diving deep (literally!) into these issues, we’ve taken a vital first step in addressing coral disease and building resilience, ensuring the future of these vibrant underwater ecosystems.
Stay tuned for more insights and findings as we uncover what’s next for our coral conservation program!
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