Coral bleaching 2002 in the Palk Bay, southeast coast of India

The bleaching of corals and their recovery in chosen study sites of the reefs of Palk Bay, southeast coast of India were monitored. The bleaching phenomenon occurred during the period from April to June 2002. A minimum of at least 50% and a maximum of 60% bleaching were noticed among the six different sites monitored. However, the corals started to recover quickly in August 2002 and as much as 52% recovery could be noticed. The coral-bleaching phenomenon might have occurred due to unusual rise in surface sea-water temperature, which was 32degreesC in the peak of summer. This, confounded with the failure of the southwest monsoon winds during this period, might have exerted a stress on the corals leading to expulsion of zooxanthellae from their bodies, causing the bleaching phenomenon. Coral bleaching might affect the distribution of coral-associated animals, especially the food fishes which depend on the corals for feeding and breeding. This, in turn, can affect the livelihood of the reef resource users, particularly the fishermen in the Palk Bay region.