One of the most easily visible impacts of climate change is coral bleaching. As temperatures rise worldwide, water temperatures are climbing as well, causing colorful coral to become stressed and kick out their symbiotic algae partners. These events leave the reefs without their primary food source and susceptible to disease.
Weve already seen this happen multiple times throughout recent history. In 2020, the Great Barrier Reef off Queensland, Australia, experienced its third major bleaching event over the span of only five yearsand it might see another one by the end of this month. In some instances, the bleaching is so intense that it leads to high mortality. Reef decline impacts the communities of fish that live there, as well as the populations of people who depend on reefs for food or income.
In 1998, the African archipelago of Seychelles experienced a massive heatwave that caused almost all the coral in the area to die out. Researchers scoping out the impacts of the disaster for the past 20 years have learned that about half of the reefs have recovered, while the other half have been replaced with seaweed. But more recently, an international team of scientists found that the fish populations, even the ones swimming around the most damaged coral, were substantially healthier than predictedat least when it comes to nutritional value for humans. They published their findings yesterday in OneEarth.
[Related: Fish sounds tell us about underwater reefsbut we need better tech to really listen]
The Seychelles is a great place to study how fish contribute to peoples health because loads of people eat fish, says James Robinson, a coral reef ecologist at Lancaster University in the UK and lead author on the paper.
Robinson set off to find fish with a handful of local anglers and captured samples of 43 tropical reef species from both the recovered and seaweed-infested regions. He and his fellow researchers then sent off snips of frozen muscle from the subjects to analyze things like the concentration of minerals and fatty acids.
We wanted to first understand how nutritious are reef fish, so we took all these values and compared them to other meats like chicken, pork, and beef, Robinson says. What we found is that reef fish are similar or more nutritious than those meats that was super cool, uncovering the roles that reefs are playing in peoples health.
But they also discovered something strange: Beyond being generally healthy, the reed fish were more nutritious after the bleaching event than before. After comparing the data, the study authors found an increase in fish biomass and a corresponding increase in nutrients in fish from today versus pre-1998 fish.
Whats more, the fish on the seaweed-heavy reefs had more iron and zinc than the same species on recovering coral sites. The significant change in the food web, moving toward nutrient-heavy macroalgae, propagated up the food chain to everything that eats the seaweed, Robinson says.
This sort of says that reefs in Seychelles are continuing to provide food despite these really severe climate impacts, Robinson says.
However, not all bleached reefs give away to productive seaweedsometimes, theyre replaced by grassy turf algae, which hasnt been studied in this method yet. So theres always the possibility that other bleaching events, like the ones in recent years, wont see the same nutritional silver lining. Still, this research emphasizes the importance of protecting coral reefs as a part of protecting the food systemeven after climate impacts.
Currently, Seychelles is heavily dependent on imports, with about 90 percent of their total food coming from outside the country. Globally, climate change poses a growing threat to food systems, whether due to smaller farming yields or troublesome impacts on fisheries.
We should focus attention on if we can manage coral reefs to protect that food supply and understand how bleaching will affect it at the same time, Robinson says. Most reefs are not managed for fishing, so theres a risk that if you fish too hard, you lose that nutritional benefit. Hopefully this is another great reason to manage and protect reef fishes.
View original post here:
Nutrient-rich fish are thriving in a coral graveyard off the coast of Africa - Popular Science
- Seychelles: Maps, History, Geography, Government, Culture ... [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2016]
- Seychelles Tourism Board [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2016]
- Seychelles - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Discover - Seychelles - Seychelles Tourism Board [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Seychelles - Republic of Seychelles - Country Profile ... [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Seychelles Beach Resort - Wyndham Vacation Rentals [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Seychelles Holidays - Luxury Breaks | Thomas Cook Signature [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Seychelles Map / Geography of Seychelles / Map of Seychelles ... [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Voyage aux Seychelles : rservez vos vacances aux ... [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2016]
- Seychelles - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2016]
- Seychelles Holidays | Hotels & Island Hopping | Seyvillas.com [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2016]
- Seychelles - gilt.com [Last Updated On: August 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 27th, 2016]
- Seychelles | history - geography | Britannica.com [Last Updated On: August 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 27th, 2016]
- Seychelles police: Autopsies done for sisters found dead in ... [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2016]
- US sisters Robin and Annie Korkki found dead at Seychelles ... [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2016]
- Victoria, Seychelles - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2016]
- Seychelles Mystery: No Illegal Drugs in Hotel Room of Sisters ... [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2016]
- Seychelles - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2016]
- Seychelles national football team - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: November 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2016]
- Seychelles Tourism reaches out to Belgium visitors - eTurboNews [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Getting to know the Seychelles - Alternatives Journal (blog) [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Four suspected foreign drug barons deported to Seychelles - The Star, Kenya [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- 33% increase in tourism arrivals in Seychelles: True! - eTurboNews [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- SA, Seychelles nationals held in narcotics crackdown - The Standard (press release) [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Navy completes Seychelles ship refit - Times of India [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- SAA adds new codeshare route with Air Seychelles | Traveller24 - News24 [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Crystal Esprit Performs Seychelles Rescue - Cruise Industry News ... - Cruise Industry News [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- South African Airways announces codeshare agreement with Air Seychelles - BizNis Africa [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Seychelles - The New York Times [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- New Seychelles Diary blog enhancing tourism - eTurboNews [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Seychelles Tourism Minister works for daily flights with Mauritius - eTurboNews [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Enhancements and improvements: Seychelles resort gets upgrades - eTurboNews [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Destination Seychelles: Topping travel lists in the US - eTurboNews [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Seychelles Tourism is in Jeddah promoting tourism - eTurboNews [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Fourth Steber vessel for Seychelles resort - Manning River Times [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Future is BRIGHT for Seychelles hospitality graduates - eTurboNews [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Seychelles' Dubai office welcomes visitors to Dubai travel and tourism event - eTurboNews [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Seychelles Footwear's President and Director of Product on Overseeing the Brand Together - Footwear News [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- French 'Memo Planet' supports Alain St.Ange - FTNnews.com (press release) [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Seychelles Tourism on the road in South Africa - eTurboNews [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Mohammed receives President of Seychelles - Gulf Today [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- #TravelGoals 2017: Rent a private island in Indonesia or the Seychelles - GQ India [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Lanka and Seychelles to jointly fight drug menace - The Sunday Times Sri Lanka [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- St.Ange from Seychelles receives more support from the Mauritius - FTNnews.com (press release) [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Seychelles vies for its fair share of the China market - eTurboNews ... - eTurboNews [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Seychelles reports 17% increase in South African visitors - Bizcommunity.com [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Breakout Role: Seychelles - Paste Magazine [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Moratorium update on large hotel projects in Seychelles - eTurboNews - eTurboNews [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Seychelles Tourism team on its way to ITB Berlin - eTurboNews.com - eTurboNews [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Get to Know the Seychelles - TravelPulse [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Seychelles ensures tourists receive best possible service - eTurboNews [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- Tourism Minister of Seychelles goes door to door - eTurboNews [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- Seychelles Tourism brings paradise to Travel & Adventure Show in San Diego - eTurboNews [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2017]
- Seychelles holidays beneath the waves promoted in Italy - eTurboNews [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- Abu Dhabi students fall in love with Seychelles - eTurboNews [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Behind the scenes of the Seychelles debt-for-nature deal ... - ImpactAlpha (registration) [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Travel: Paradise found on Alphonse Island in the Seychelles - The Scotsman [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- Seychelles Tourism in the spotlight at ITB Berlin - eTurboNews [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- Quick trips: 48hrs in Seychelles - iAfrica.com [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- Air Seychelles Receives New Aircraft - Footprint to Africa - Business and Financial News (press release) (registration) (blog) [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2017]
- Air Seychelles takes delivery of second Airbus A330 - Logistics Update Africa (registration) [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2017]
- From Seychelles to farming at Toko Mouth - Otago Daily Times [Last Updated On: March 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 31st, 2017]
- Six Senses Zil Pasyon Opens On The Seychelles' Most Dramatic Island - Forbes [Last Updated On: March 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 31st, 2017]
- Seychelles touchdown marks 11th international airline in Durban - Times LIVE [Last Updated On: April 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 2nd, 2017]
- Air Seychelles begins flights to Durban - North Coast Courier [Last Updated On: April 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 2nd, 2017]
- Kenya to host Seychelles President Danny Faure on Monday - The Star, Kenya [Last Updated On: April 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 2nd, 2017]
- Air Seychelles starts flights to Durban - Engineering News - Creamer Media's Engineering News [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2017]
- Kenya, Seychelles link up to combat illegal fishing, piracy - Business Daily (press release) (blog) [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2017]
- Seychelles part 1: Which island in Seychelles is right for you? - Independent Online [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2017]
- Blackwater founder held secret Seychelles meeting to establish Trump-Putin back channel - Washington Post [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2017]
- Seychelles opens doors for Kenyan teachers, farmers - K24 TV [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2017]
- MK weds in Seychelles, slams lack of civil marriage in Israel - The Times of Israel [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2017]
- IMF Staff Completes Visit to Seychelles - International Monetary Fund [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2017]
- KQ clinches open-sky deal with Seychelles - The Star, Kenya [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2017]
- Boost for KQ as open sky deal with Seychelles secured - The Star, Kenya [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2017]
- Let's take lessons from Seychelles and divesify economy - The Star, Kenya [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2017]
- Week in Pictures: Searcys' showcase and Seychelles: A Taste of Bliss - CIT Magazine [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2017]
- Seychelles part 2: How to spend 3 days in the country - Independent Online [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2017]
- Flag of Seychelles - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2017]
- Seychelles showcased at fishing fair in Italy - eTurboNews [Last Updated On: April 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2017]