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United States Virgin Islands Bleaching Response Plan Updated August 2020 Photo Credit: Tyler Smith Update drafted by: Lisa Terry, Conservation Practitioner The Nature Conservancy – US Virgin Islands Program With contribution from members of the VI Coral Reef Advisory Group: Leslie Henderson, DPNR-CZM/USVI Coral Reef Initiative Coordinator Dr. Tyler Smith, University of the Virgin Islands Dr. Marilyn Brandt, University of the Virgin Islands William Jeff Miller, US National Park Service Dr. Caroline Rogers, US Geological Survey Clayton Pollock, US National Park Service Nathaniel Hanna Holloway, US National Park Service Kristina Edwards, DPNR-CZM Education and Outreach Coordinator Caroline Pott, East End Marine Park Coordinator Adam Glahn, University of the Virgin Islands Including original contributions by: Jeanne Brown, The Nature Conservancy Marcia Taylor, UVI-Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service Christine Settar, UVI-Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service January Murray, DPNR Division of Fish and Wildlife Rafe Boulon, US National Park Service Ian Lundgren, US National Park Service Marlon Hibbert, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Cory Walter, Mote Marine Laboratory Britt Parker, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Acknowledgements: The Nature Conservancy thanks the Coral Reef Conservation Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for its long-term support of the VI Bleaching Response Plan. The updating of this plan was partially funded by award NA16NOS4820106 NOAA CRCP-TNC Cooperative Agreement to The Nature Conservancy, from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce. USVI Bleaching Response Plan .................................................................................... 1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4 Early Warning System ............................................................................................................................................ 4 Community Volunteers .......................................................................................................................................... 4 Bleaching Subcommittee …………………………………………………………………………………………………4 Bleaching Assessment and Monitoring ........................................................................................................... 5 USVI Bleaching Response Sampling Protocols ............................................................. 5 Outline ........................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Tier I ................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Tier II ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Methods ........................................................................................................................................................................ 6 Tier I ................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Tier II.................................................................................................................................................................................. 7 Literature Cited and Other Pertinent Sources .............................................................................................. 9 Appendix I ................................................................................................................ 10 Example Sampling Codes ................................................................................................................................... 10 Disease Codes .............................................................................................................................................................. 10 Coral Health Categories ......................................................................................................................................... 10 Species Codes …………………………………………………………………………………………………10 Random Compass Headings ……………………………………………………………………………….….12 Appendix II ............................................................................................................... 13 Bleaching Subcommittee Meeting Agenda .................................................................................................. 13 Appendix III .............................................................................................................. 14 Potential Site List for Additional Surveys .................................................................................................... 14 Appendix IV .............................................................................................................. 17 Bleaching Report Template ............................................................................................................................... 17 Appendix V ............................................................................................................... 18 USVI Bleaching Response Communication Plan ....................................................................................... 18 Ready to go publications ............................................................................................................................................ 19 Introduction The purpose of the US Virgin Islands Bleaching Response Plan is to assess and monitor coral bleaching primarily from warm water events; documenting the distribution and severity of bleaching as well as impacts to reefs and reef communities post bleaching events. This program will incorporate volunteer and scientist surveys and observations. Early Warning System The Coral Reef Watch products developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will be used to prepare and respond to mass bleaching events. Response activity will be directly based on the advisory received from NOAA along with local temperature data. Advisory Response Bleaching Warning USVI Bleaching Response Subcommittee meets to plan response, equipment available for monitoring is prepared/gathered, and press releases and individual calls are used to spread awareness and to mobilize community volunteers. Some pre-bleaching data are collected. Alert Level 1 Monitoring activities continue. Emphasis placed on how much reef area and which species are more affected. Begin to look for signs of impacts to reefs. Alert Level 2 Monitoring activities continue. More emphasis is placed on post bleaching impacts (direct mortality, increased prevalence of diseases, and any other changes). Community Volunteers Individuals from the public will be able to contribute to the assessment of coral bleaching by participating in the USVI BleachWatch program. In 2020, BleachWatch joined forces with the Coral Disease Advisory Committee to provide volunteers with one location to report bleaching or disease. A coral reef health curriculum was created and can be downloaded from www.vicoraldisease.org. This includes a presentation that contains information on the threats to coral reefs and the identification of coral bleaching and diseases. There are scripts to go along with the presentation so that educators can easily make use of the curriculum. Bleaching Subcommittee A small group made up of representatives from UVI (TCRMP, NCRMP), NPS, and DPNR will meet once there is a bleaching warning issued and their responsibilities are as follows: • Subcommittee meets upon issuance of a bleaching warning to discuss next steps. • Check in with local temperature loggers and consider time of year to better gauge bleaching risk. • Prioritization of target “gap areas” in which to deploy rapid bleaching surveys (in addition to NCRMP, TCRMP and other ongoing monitoring programs). Dispatch surveyors to perform rapid bleaching surveys at selected sites. • Creation of targeted time periods of assessment (during peak of bleaching event, post event to capture mortality, later to capture disease) • Creation of data hand outs and underwater data sheets • Agree on who will lead effort to compile data collected. Bleaching Assessment and Monitoring The University of the Virgin Islands Territorial Coral Reef Monitoring Program, NOAA’s National Coral Reef Monitoring Program and surveys employed by the National Park Service long term monitoring programs all have the ability to recognize and record bleaching events1. However there are some gaps in coverage in geographic area, habitat types and timing that warrant additional coverage during large bleaching events. To address these gaps, a rapid bleaching survey methodology was created for easy and quick deployment in the event of a bleaching. A list of possible sites is included in Appendix III and can be finalized by the bleaching subcommittee for each bleaching event. Ideally surveys are performed at least three times in order to catch the peak of the bleaching event, mortality directly following the event, and months after the event to record later onset of disease. USVI Bleaching Response Sampling Protocols Outline Tier I (Citizen scientists/community members) • Concerned public with little background in marine science • Brief online or workshop training; data submission via www.vicoraldisease.org • www.vicoraldisease.org resources page contains instructions, information, survey material download, and page for submission of data • GPS or map estimation of surveyed area • Ability to report presence or absence of bleaching • Coral coverage and species composition for each site report; ability to report other disturbances like disease, anchor/vessel damage, marine debris, etc. Tier II (Marine professionals) • Combination of ongoing long term monitoring programs (TCRMP, NCRMP, etc) and rapid bleaching surveys dispatched as necessary based on conditions. • Marine professionals with recurring experience in coral reef environments; expertise or experience in ecological assessments or coral reef ecosystems 1 NPS Monitoring methods: https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/DownloadFile/580460 TCRMP: https://sites.google.com/site/usvitcrmp/ NCRMP: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/caribbean/fish_indep_wkshp/surveys/ncrmp/index.html • Reconnaissance of target reef habitats, geographic regions and physical regimes • On spot assessment of presence or absence of bleaching/disease • Directional swim or transect: o Coral species o Longest linear length (top view) o Estimates of bleaching/disease presence o Estimates of partial mortality Methods Tier I Purpose: The Tier I Reef Assessment Sampling Protocol (BleachWatch) was developed for the recreational snorkeler/diver that is interested in submitting information on reef health. These short surveys are designed to provide a snapshot of local reefs to scientists and managers and may be used to guide where further surveys are conducted in an effort to determine the extent of bleaching and/or the resilience of those reefs. In 2020, BleachWatch joined forces with the Coral Disease Advisory Committee so that citizens reporting on disease sightings and those reporting on bleaching sightings could use one reporting form. The “VI Hunt for Coral Disease” form was adjusted to allow for bleaching observations and renamed the Coral Health Report. The BleachWatch training was converted into a combination presentation about both bleaching and disease and includes a script and data sheet so that anyone can access the training and the supporting materials. The materials can all be downloaded from the resources page of www.vicoraldisease.org. Materials Needed: • Diving or snorkeling equipment • Underwater clipboard or slate and underwater datasheet, pencils • Submersible digital camera or video camera In field protocol: Complete the observer and site information portions of the Coral Reef Health Report Data Sheet. Perform a roving swim around your site and look around for healthy or unhealthy corals. If you are using the datasheet, tally the healthy and/or unhealthy corals in the boxes provided. Record any other impacts to corals and take photos of your site (representative photos, or specific photos of impacts). Give the site an overall ranking and describe the reef type where indicated. Explain any additional details in the notes section. Direct photos of the seafloor from above are useful. Note: It is also important to record if no bleaching or disease is observed. This simple survey can be completed without the datasheet by just observing healthy and unhealthy corals as you swim around a site and then filling out a report on www.vicoraldisease.org upon completion of the dive. Submit your observations on the online form using the “Report Sightings” link on www.vicoraldisease.org. The datasheet (if used) can then be erased and used again. Tier II Purpose: Tier II sampling is designed for those with considerable experience in marine monitoring and is considered a supplement to monitoring activities that may be activated under territorial and federal monitoring programs. The aims are to provide greater spatial and temporal characterization of coral bleaching, disease, and mortality. The more intensive methods to be employed by experienced observers will generate a deeper level of information content on the co-factors that ultimately impinge on coral reproduction, growth, and survival. This level of information in combination with other ongoing monitoring programs can provide greater insight on physical regimes and habitats that provide resistance and resilience to bleaching events, with implications for management of coral reef systems under the threat of increasing frequency and severity of extreme high seawater temperature events. Sampling will involve swimming along a random compass heading (Appendix I) while recording key information about coral health of each colony in a 1m swatch. Coral health information will include presence/absence of bleaching, disease and mortality. Photographs will also be taken at each site. Coral Health Surveys Materials Needed: • Magnetic underwater compass • Diving equipment • Underwater clipboard or slate and underwater paper, pencils Submersible digital camera or video camera In field Protocol: Diver pairs will survey random sampling points generated by the coordinators following established protocols (Kramer et al. 2005; Smith et al. 2010) or select sites from the “gap areas” site list found in Appendix III. Sampling points will be located with GPS and divers will descend with a surface buoy and reel attached. Sampling will commence if the area is determined to be suitable; i.e., the presence of hard corals along proposed compass direction (Appendix I). If area is unsuitable then check area along next random compass heading. If the entire potential sampling area is unsuitable (e.g., very few corals), then end dive. If the sampling area is suitable divers will conduct a side-by-side swim until at least 100 colonies have been sampled in total. GPS point can be confirmed if needed using the dive buoy and boat or handheld GPS unit. Coral Health Sampling. Each diver will swim in a line along the compass heading adjacent to one another. Each colony in a 1 m swath in front of the diver will be assessed, including fire corals (Millepora spp.). The object is to sample at least 100 colonies. Coral health sampling will follow modified Territorial Coral Reef Monitoring Program (TCRMP) sampling protocols. Each colony (greater than 0.5cm) is assessed in situ for species identity, size, disease presence, bleaching presence, old and recent partial mortality (See Appendix 1 for expanded description of categories). Where colony margins are not distinct, for example thickets of staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) and boulder star corals (Orbicella annularis), then the observer should use their best judgment to make a reasonable “colony” for assessment. For example, changes in colony elevation and other borders can be used to delineate a separate sampling unit, even if it is suspected that adjacent coral tissue might be part of the same clone. Data should be entered into data entry sheets and given to data processing coordinator. Site photographs. The site name and date should be recorded as a picture or video clip immediately before the filming. Representative still pictures or short video should be recorded in the area of the survey for permanent records. This can be taken above the bottom with a wide-field lens to get as many colonies in frame as possible with the potential to be assessed for bleaching. Pictures should be submitted to data coordinator along with entered digital site data. Video transects should follow methodology outlined in the TCRMP survey protocol. Literature Cited and Other Pertinent Sources Carleton JH, Done TJ (1995) Quantitative video sampling of coral reef benthos: Large-scale application. Coral Reefs 14:35-46 Kohler K, Gill SM (2006) Coral Point Count with Excel extensions (CPCe): A Visual Basic program for the determination of coral and substrate coverage using random point count methodology. Computers and Geosciences 32:1259-1269. http://www.nova.edu/ocean/cpce/ Kramer P, Lang J, Marks K, Garza-Perez R, Ginsburg R (2005) AGRRA Methodology, version 4.0, June 2005. University of Miami, Miami Miller J, Muller E, Rogers C, Waara R, Atkinson A, Whelan K, Patterson M, Witcher B (2010) Coral disease following massive bleaching in 2005 causes 60% decline in coral cover on reefs in the US Virgin Islands. Coral Reefs 28:925-937 Rogers CS, Garrison G, Grober R, Hillis Z, Franke M (2001) Coral Reef Monitoring Manual for the Caribbean and Western Atlantic. US National Park Service, St. John Smith TB, Nemeth RS, Blondeau J, Calnan JM, Kadison E, Herzlieb S (2008) Assessing coral reef health across onshore to offshore stress gradients in the US Virgin Islands. Marine Pollution Bulletin 56:1983-1991 Smith TB, Blondeau J, Nemeth RS, Pittman SJ, Calnan JM, Kadison E, Gass J (2010) Benthic structure and cryptic mortality in a Caribbean mesophotic coral reef bank system, the Hind Bank Marine Conservation District, U.S. Virgin Islands. Coral Reefs 29:289- 308 Appendix I Example Sampling Codes and Random Compass Headings Refer to “Coral Health Protocol” TCRMP document for more extensive list of codes. Disease Codes Dark Spots Disease (DSD) Black Band Disease (BBD) White Plague Disease (PLA) Yellow Blotch/Band Disease (YBD) Unknown Disease or Recent Lesions, Dead Coral (DCOR) Coral Health Categories Size. Maximum width is the maximum planar diameter. Disease/Bleaching. Listed as 0, partial bleaching (PB, Stark white bleaching less than 100%), bleaching (BL, 100% stark white) Recent partial mortality. Skeleton not eroded (fine corallite structure still intact) and bare or with a thin veneer of sheeting or filamentous algae. Typically visible for up to three months following tissue loss. Old partial mortality. Skeleton eroded and covered with turf or macroalgae. Old mortality is a transition from recent mortality and typically lasts up to 1–4 years (see http://www.agrra.org/method/methodcor.html and Smith TB, Nemeth RS, Blondeau J, Calnan JM, Kadison E, Herzlieb S (2008) Assessing coral reef health across onshore to offshore stress gradients in the US Virgin Islands. Marine Pollution Bulletin 56:1983-1991). Species Codes Acropora cervicornis (AC) - coral Acropora palmata (AP) - coral Acropora prolifera (APR) - coral Agaricia agaricites (AA) - coral Agaricia fragilis (AF) - coral Agaricia grahamae (AG) - coral Agaricia humilis (AH) - coral Agaricia lamarcki (AL) – coral Agaricia undata (AU) - coral Agaricia species (AGSP) - coral Colpophyllia natans (CN) - coral Dendrogyra cylindrus (DCY) - coral Diploria labyrinthiformis (DL) - coral Dichocoenia stokesii (DSO) - coral Eusmilia fastigiata (EF) - coral Favia fragum (FF) - coral Helioseris cucullata (HC) - coral Isophyllia sinuosa (IS) - coral Isopyhyllastrea rigida (IR) - coral Manicina areolata (MAR) - coral Madracis decactis (MD) - coral Madracis formosa (MAFO) - coral Madracis mirabilis (MM) - coral Meandrina meandrites (MME) - coral Millepora alcicornis (MILA) Millepora complanate (MILC) Millepora squarrosa (MILS) Montastrea cavernosa (MC) - coral Mussa angulosa (MAN) - coral Mycetophyllia aliciae (MAL) - coral Mycetophyllia danaana (MDA) - coral Mycetophyllia lamarckiana (ML) - coral Mycetophyllia ferox (MF) - coral Mycetophyllia species (MYSP) - coral Oculina diffusa (OD) - coral Orbicella annularis (OA) - coral Orbicella faveolata (OFAV) - coral Orbicella franksi (OFRA) - coral Orbicella spp. (OX) - coral Porites astreoides (PA) - coral Porites branneri (PB) - coral Porites divaricata (PD) - coral Porites furcata (PF) - coral Porites porites (PP) - coral Porites branching species (PBSP) - coral Pseudodiploria clivosa (PC) - coral Pseudodiploria strigosa (PS) - coral Scolymia cubensis (SC) - coral Scolymia lacera (SL) - coral Scolymia species (SCSP) - coral Siderastrea radians (SR) - coral Siderastrea siderea (SS) - coral Siderastrea species (SSPP) - coral Solenastrea bournoni (SB) - coral Solenastrea hyades (SH) - coral Stephanocoenia intercepta (SI) - coral Tubastraea coccinea (TC) - coral Random Compass Headings 100 230 360 50 10 30 330 170 150 90 150 90 160 240 210 360 90 350 100 110 310 310 50 220 340 210 330 350 10 190 230 320 170 50 350 140 200 80 340 210 60 150 150 170 210 300 170 180 40 90 180 140 60 120 360 80 100 200 50 220 80 180 240 360 80 150 50 320 50 170 200 130 20 260 160 350 170 10 60 140 340 320 40 340 220 60 270 280 70 30 150 260 220 80 360 320 230 160 50 240 10 170 150 310 110 170 140 250 90 130 120 320 170 350 150 160 230 270 240 110 360 150 190 340 10 200 120 40 180 280 110 140 250 200 190 160 70 300 320 270 340 190 120 170 350 50 120 340 140 60 350 270 270 310 190 170 100 210 40 220 300 160 240 30 230 330 120 200 30 120 160 150 160 330 260 250 240 190 340 260 80 150 320 140 160 50 180 350 140 230 360 200 350 140 160 30 130 140 130 150 350 100 140 310 170 10 170 110 160 250 Appendix II Bleaching Subcommittee Sample Agenda Once there is a “bleaching warning” level reached for the territory, the bleaching subcommittee should convene via conference call to discuss the following. The list below includes discussion topics and action items that could apply to a bleaching warning, alert levels I and II, a mass bleaching, or post bleaching. The committee can decide at each meeting which items apply to the present situation. USVI Bleaching Subcommittee Members Leslie Henderson, DPNR Tyler Smith, UVI (TCRMP) Marilyn Brandt, UVI (NCRMP) Jeff Miller, NPS STJ Nathaniel Hanna Holloway, NPS STX Potential Agenda Items for Bleaching Subcommittee Meetings • Discuss and assess the risk for bleaching in the territory based on in-situ water temperatures, time of year that bleaching warning is occurring, any community based observations, and any other pertinent factors. (checking various loggers when available) • Assess whether extra surveys (in addition to already scheduled TCRMP, NCRMP, NPS, etc) are necessary • Assess what equipment, budget and personnel are available to help with any extra surveys • Decide on the appropriate monitoring schedule for any extra surveys (monthly, etc) • Review agreed upon survey methodology (if applicable) and distribute data sheets, tools, etc • Confirm selected sites for surveys • Issue press releases and communication to public, managers and government officials (committee to decide at exactly what point this is most useful) • Plan next subcommittee meeting based on current situation • Select one person to coordinate reporting on the data collected during/after the bleaching event (compiling data, summarizing findings, distributing report) • Discuss event post bleaching and possibly deploy surveyors to check on recovery Appendix III Gap areas site list While the various long-term monitoring programs of the territory are able to accurately capture the presence/absence of bleaching and their effects over all, there are some areas not covered by those efforts that would benefit from additional surveys. These areas are considered “gap areas” or otherwise important, but not already tracked, areas that should be considered for the rapid bleaching survey methodology described in this plan. The bleaching subcommittee would examine this list to determine if and where to mobilize teams. This list might not be exhaustive and should be re-examined at each event to be sure that any new ‘gap areas’ are included. Ideally local teams of marine professionals contribute people and time to perform the surveys. Funding opportunities or contingency funds still need to be identified. Site Name Island Lat, Long Depth Comments/Rationale Hurricane Hole, specifically Princess, Otter and Water STJ 18.355451, - 64.691947 18.350726, - 64.691529 18.348333, - 64.690242 surface to 10 m priority remarkable diversity, possible climate change refuge (but badly damaged by the storms), unique in the Caribbean; recommended by Caroline Rogers Elkhorn sites in Haulover, Hawksnest, off Turtle Point STJ 18.348231, - 64.677174 18.350309, - 64.781362 18.344087, - 64.788872 surface to 5 m priority long-term monitoring used to be conducted in these locations and information is available on bleaching and disease from these sites; Recommended by Caroline Rogers Leinster Bay STJ 18.366968, - 64.726505 Recommended by Caroline Rogers Limetree Cove STJ 18.343627, - 64.680461 Specifically the Orbicella areas; east side of haulover bay (south); recommended by Caroline Rogers Waterlemon Cay STJ 18.367394, - 64.722769 1-15ft Snorkelable- though sometimes strong currents are present; rationale—high visitation site and potential for outreach; Recommended by NPS/VIIS RM Trunk Cay STJ 18.354772, - 64.768859 1-15ft Snorkelable, though sometimes currents are present on the NW side of cay; Rationale: high visitation site and potential for outreach; recommended by NPS/VIIS RM South Pilsbury STJ 18.297, -64.793 100ft Strong current flushing and dense high diversity coral community; recommended by UVI St. John Mid- shelf Reef STJ 18.273, -64713 80- 100ft Diverse community; recommended by UVI Tampo STJ 18.179, -64.749 100- 140ft Diverse hardbottom community; recommended by UVI Tamarind Reef STX 17.761789, - 64.671316 17.761389, - 64.669911 17.761225, - 64.669010 3-20ft Right offshore from the resort, enter west of breakwater; recommended by EEMP Black Point STX 17.762097, -64.648814 17.762600, - 64.648645 17.762294, -64.648188 17.762346, -64.647400 0-17 Right off the point and into the western end of Prune Bay; lots of Orbicella; can be rough; recommended by EEMP Smugglers Cove STX 17.756409, -64.592205 17.757541, - 64.590622 17.757951, -64.590002 17.758395, -64.588733 0-8ft Eastern side of cove and heading towards Cramers Park; recommended by EEMP Isaac Bay STX 17.749716, -64.571530 Canyon at 17.750675, -64.568654 6-15ft Access with walking trail from Pt. Udall; patch reefs and haystacks in sand matrix; recommended by EEMP Buck Cut Acropora STX 17.764826, -64.623697 17.764989, -64.623302 12-25ft Look for buoy(s). At present only red is in the water. Palmata is on both sides of the cut; barrier reef with many palmata; recommended by EEMP East Side of Green Cay STX 17.767861, -64.664226 17.765260 -64.665337 0-9ft All along eastern slope of green cay; OANN, APAL and other spp, kayak or swim accessible; recommended by EEMP Rod Bay STX 17.734194, -64.613376 17.731919, -64.615833 0-9ft East side of Rod Bay, has some prolifera; recommended by EEMP East End Bay STX 17.752989, -64.566979 0-5ft Not totally aware of whats there, very hard access due to rough conditions, need very calm day to access; recommended by EEMP Turner Hole STX 17.737331, -64.608043 0-10ft West side of bay, from resort walk all the way west to last houses; shallow patch reefs in seagrass and sand matrix; recommended by EEMP BUIS South Fore Reef STX recommended by NPS SARI East Wall STX recommended by NPS SARI West Wall STX recommended by NPS Thatch Cay STT 18.355, -64.84 0-50ft Populations of Acropora spp.; recommended by UVI Cow and Calf STT 18.304, -64.846 0-15ft Populations of Acropora spp.; recommended by UVI Han Lolick STT 18.406, -64.903 1-15ft Populations of Acropora spp.; recommended by UVI Inner Brass Island STT 18.379, -64.964 1-40ft Populations of Acropora spp.; recommended by UVI Outer Caret Bay STT 18.377, -64.983 30-80ft Strong current flushing and dense high diversity coral community; recommended by UVI Hendricks Bay STT 18.367, -64.997 40-60ft Strong current flushing and dense high diversity coral community; recommended by UVI Perseverance Bay STT 18.347, -64.998 High diversity coral community on spur and groove reef; recommended by UVI Stumpy Point STT 18.368, -65.027 40- 100ft Strong current flushing and dense high diversity coral community; recommended by UVI South Sail Rock STT 18.266, -65.106 90- 110ft Dense upper mesophotic Orbicella reef; recommended by UVI St. Thomas Mid-shelf Reef STT 18.260, -64.972 90- 130ft Diverse community; recommended by UVI French Cap STT 18.235, -64.847 80- 140ft Dense upper mesophotic Orbicella reef; recommended by UVI Fortuna Bay STT 18.343524, - 65.019223 Diverse reef community not otherwise monitored; recommended by UVI grad student Coki Point STT 18.349308, - 64.862742 Diverse reef community not otherwise monitored, contains some palmata; recommended by UVI grad student Appendix IV Sample Bleaching Report Template PowerPoint version available in supplemental documents for this plan. Should be edited and updated to add text and appropriate map/pictures. Appendix V USVI Bleaching Response Communication Plan The following chart offers suggestions of how and when to communicate with various groups should a bleaching event occur. The Bleaching Response Subcommittee should work with the CZM education and outreach representative as well as other partner organizations to decide what communication will be best given the current situation. Group Method of communication What to communicate Responsible Party Reef Users • Recreational divers (dive shops, dive clubs) • Fishermen • Tourism (hotels, restaurants, airlines) • Flyers at dive shops, hotels, etc • Email lists • Facebook group posts and shares • BleachWatch community program • Tourism meetings (have rep on HTA Environmental Committee) • Engaging fishermen (engage Fish and Wildlife to help with this) • Before: educate about bleaching, ask for observations (short video shared at start of bleaching season) • During: continue to ask for bleaching reports; advise about any additional suggestions based on bleaching (ready to deliver posters to hang on dive boats, at hotels etc.); provide additional BleachWatch trainings sessions • After: encourage participation in any additional surveys; report on severity, extent etc. of the event BleachWatch Team & Steering committee; CZM E&O representative Management/Decisi on Makers • DPNR • Senators • Governor • Set up or attend already scheduled meetings (Bleaching plan to be announced at first two VICRAG meetings) • Update with progress • Before: Announce start of bleaching season (email, video short) • During: regular updates of severity and extent; recommend any additional measures/closures; have DPNR or a Steering Committee; CZM E&O representative • Email list • Press release sent through DPNR Commissioner’s office senator stand behind recommendations (like areas to avoid) • After: report/update on mortality/recovery; recommend management/conser vation actions based on that Colleagues/Partners • DPNR o CZM o F&W o EEMP o STEER • UVI • TNC • NPS • NOAA • USGS • Email list • VICRAG meetings (and ask reps to pass word to their groups) • Subcommittee meeting at bleaching warning • Before: reminder about bleaching season and coral reef watch updates; petition field teams for observations, temperature data etc. • During: send out Tier II surveyors; standardize what gets said to press/community • After: send out Tier II surveyors/collect data from NCRMP/TCRMP; report on bleaching event; standardize what gets said to community/press Steering Committee Media • Radio • Newspaper (Avis, Daily News, VI Consortium, VI Source, others?) • St. Croix This Week • Facebook Pages (of each group/organiz ation) and • Canned/generic press releases or Facebook posts ready to go (to be updated at time of release) including ‘what you can do’, ‘bleaching season has begun’, ‘mass bleaching is happening’…etc • Before: advertise BleachWatch; article about bleaching in paper/magazines; announce the start of bleaching season (video?) • During: petition for observations; alert the community; announce suggestions on areas to avoid, “what can you do to help” list; Steering Committee; CZM E&O Rep other social media (Instagram, etc.) • VI Alert text messaging (if possible) • Press conferences? • Key Journalists? • Press releases sent through DPNR Commissioners office advertise additional BleachWatch trainings(s) • After: report on event, publish in papers, magazines, etc. Ready-to-go publications Ideally the following resources are prepared (only needing minor updating) in advance, and ready to be deployed should a bleaching event occur. The Bleaching Response Subcommittee should work together with VICRAG, TNC, and the education and outreach coordinator for CZM to prepare some or all of the following. • What you can do to help before, during and after a bleaching event (for community/press) • Bleaching season has started, here’s what you should do (for all groups; press release and poster, video?) • Bleaching warning has been issued, here’s what you should do (for all groups; press release and poster) • Template for reporting on bleaching event (press release version, report for partners, report for community) • Notice (suggestion) to avoid certain areas due to lots of bleaching • Poster for dive/snorkel boats advising about bleaching (and what to do if you see it)