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How the 2015 bleaching event impacted Maui’s corals

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Maui Nui Marine Resource Council was honored to host a presentation by Russell Sparks, Aquatic Biologist, State of Hawaii’s Department of Aquatic Resources ( Department of Land and Natural Resources) at our March 2018 meeting.

Sparks presented reports on the toll of the 2015 coral bleaching event that occurred in Hawai’i and worldwide due to El Nino conditions.

Sheltered from cooling breezes and waves, Maui’s leeward shores saw especially warm ocean conditions in 2015 and bleaching events were widespread. That summer, biologists watched in horror as a massive 400 year old coral nicknamed “Big Mama” succumbed to bleaching and perished in November of 2015.

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Sparks noted that almost all of the cauliflower coral off Maui’s coasts bleached. Lobe coral suffered the most impacts of bleaching and bleaching-related deaths. Smaller colonies of corals had higher rates of mortality, while bigger colonies showed more fragmentation during the bleaching event.

Biologists noted that some reefs did not die, and are striving to learn why they showed greater resistance.

Following this event, marine biologists have noted that there’s been a shift toward smaller sized coral colonies across the leeward nearshore areas of Maui.

In order for corals to adapt and survive into the future with the ongoing global warming concerns, we all need to do more to help reefs develop resiliency to these changes.  Corals can survive and adapt if we reduce local threats such as overfishing, sedimentation and nutrient pollution.  Support local efforts to address these man made local threats and coral reefs should better adjust to the warming world oceans.

Learn more about why corals bleach. 

Please follow this link to learn more about MNMRC’s work for clean ocean water to give our corals the best environment possible for survival.

Why do corals bleach?

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There are many news stories about coral bleaching that’s occurring around the world. But what exactly is coral bleaching — and what can you do about it?

To understand, we need to look at the mutually beneficial (symbiotic) relationship that corals have with a type of microscopic one-celled algae known as zooxanthellae.

The algae lives right within the tiny living animals known as coral polyps that make up our reefs. The corals provide a home for the algae. In turn, the algae converts sunlight into energy and provides that nourishment to the coral polyp. The algae also gives corals their colors. It’s a win-win for both the coral polyp and the algae.

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Corals do best when ocean water is between 73 degrees F and 84 degrees  F. If the water becomes too warm or if it contains toxic chemicals, the corals expel their symbiotic algae. Without the algae, the corals appear white or “bleached.”

Unfortunately, bleached corals are more susceptible to death and disease.

Severe bleaching events occurred in Hawaii in 2014 and 2015, when ocean temperatures reached 88 degrees F.

In August 2014, warm weather in the North Pacific Ocean caused bleaching throughout the Hawaiian islands. More severe bleaching occurred in the summer of 2015.

Official reports state that 20 to 40% of Maui’s corals were lost following the 2015 bleaching event.

What can you do to prevent coral bleaching?

First, become an advocate in the fight to stop climate change. Do all you can to reduce your carbon footprint. Install a solar PV system at your home. Switch to LED lights. Buy a fuel-efficient hybrid or an electric car fueled with solar power. Drive less, and bike or walk more. Choose foods from local farms or local sources. Eat one or more vegetarian meals per week.

Second, help address other serious causes of stress to our coral reefs. For example, sediment run-off and near shore ocean water pollution are not international problems. These problems begin right here on the islands of Maui County and can be solved right here by people working together.

Last, avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate, two chemicals known to damage or kill corals. For more info visit here.

Learn more! Read the State of Hawaii Coral Bleaching Recovery Plan.

Best places to view sea turtles on Maui

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Graceful reptilian residents of Maui’s coral reefs, Hawaii’s sea turtles appear to be almost unafraid of humans. Encountering them in the wild is part of the wonder of snorkeling or diving on Maui.

Please help protect these beautiful animals. Stay back 10 feet or more when watching sea turtles in the ocean or on land. Yes, on land — Maui’s green turtles can often be sighted basking on quiet beaches, usually in the evenings and mornings.

Photo: Don McLeish

What are Maui’s best places for viewing sea turtles? Check out these spots:

1. Makena Landing (South Maui)
2. Maluaka Beach (South Maui)
3. Keawakapu Beach (South Maui)
4. Ulua Beach (South Maui)
5. Kaʻanapali Beach’s Puu Kekaa (Black Rock) – (West Maui)
6. The point between Napili Bay and Honokeana Cove (West Maui)
7. Kapalua Bay (West Maui)
8. Honolua Bay (West Maui)
9. Ho’okipa Bay (Northshore) – to view sea turtles basking on shore

Get Maui snorkeling and diving tips. 

 

What kind of turtles will you see?
The turtles that you’re most likely to encounter are Hawaiian green turtles (Chelonia mydas), named “Honu” in Hawaiian. Named not for the color of their shells (which feature radiating streaks and dappled shades of black, grey, brown, gold and green), these turtles are called “green” due to the color of their fat, tinted green by their herbivorous diet of algae and limu.

Adult green turtles can weigh 300 to 350 pounds. No matter their size, green turtles are graceful swimmers, with strong paddle-like flippers and a streamlined carapace (shell). Small fish sometimes congregate around their shells to pick off bits of algae for food.

Less frequently sighted are the endangered hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) or “Honuʻea” in Hawaiian. These turtles live and feed in our nearshore waters, especially in areas with healthy coral reefs. Their narrow beaks enable them to forage for sea sponges—one of their favorite food items.

Hawksbill turtle. Photo by Don Bloom, Tropical Light Photography

Learn more about what we’re doing to protect the reefs that these sea turtles call home.

Protect the turtles
When watching sea turtles, please stay back at least 10 feet on land and in water. While they can hold their breath while resting on the ocean floor, swimming sea turtles must frequently come to the surface to breathe. Never crowd them or block their way to the surface.

Hawaii’s green turtles are protected by the U.S. Endangered Species Act as a threatened species; our hawksbill turtles are protected as an endangered species. It is illegal to harass, harm, pursue, kill or capture these animals. Harassment includes touching, attempting to ride on or trying to feed turtles. Please ensure that photos are taken from a responsible and respectful distance. Any efforts to photograph turtles must not disturb or alter natural behavior.

To report illegal or suspicious activity, call 1-800-853-1964 or (808) 643-DLNR (3567). Email photos and videos to [email protected].

Entanglement in fishing line is a serious threat to our local sea turtles. Entangled turtles may not be able to reach the surface to breathe and can drown. Marine debris such as plastic bags can be mistaken for food. Do your part and retrieve fishing line, nets and gear, as well as trash, from coastal areas.

Who to call if you see an injured, sick or dead turtle:
Lanai: State of Hawaii DLNR-DOCARE Lanai (808-565-7916)
Maui (Kihei Area – Maalaea to Makena): Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute (808-286-2549)
Maui (All Other Areas): Maui Community College – Marine Option Program in partnership with NMFS (808-286-2899)
Molokai: State of Hawaii DLNR-DOCARE Molokai (808-553-5190)

Visit NOAAʻs injured turtles website 

Download a free sea turtle reference card — and get tips on protecting Maui’s reefs while you snorkel
Visit our snorkeler’s resource page at mauireefs.org/snorkel

Be safe!
Check all local ocean conditions carefully before entering the water. If surfers are present, the surf is likely too big for safe snorkeling. Always swim with a buddy. Our list of “Best Places to View Sea Turtles” is based on the likelihood of seeing turtles, and does not imply that conditions are safe or recommended for swimming, snorkeling or diving.

Photo: Don Bloom, Tropical Light Photography.

Help us protect Maui’s coral reefs and marine wildlife
Sea turtles are just some of the residents of the coral reefs of Maui.  If you enjoy watching these intriguing marine reptiles please support Maui Nui Marine Resource Council in our work to protect coral reefs, restore clean ocean water and bring back an abundance of native fish to our nearshore waters. We’re a nonprofit organization now in our 14th year of working to help protect Maui County’s coastal waters and reefs.

Learn more about Maui Nui Marine Resource Council.

Donate to support Maui Nui Marine Resource Council’s visitor education programs.