Algal bloom affects coral reef ecosystem in Gulf of Mannar

‘Climate change is reported to be the prime reason for such blooms’

On October 6, 2008 fishermen from Keezhakarai coast of Gulf of Mannar (GoM) were panic stricken as they noticed a large number of dead fish and other organisms washed ashore. The surface seawater had turned greenish. Researchers ascertained that the green tide was the blooming of Noctiluca scintillans, which is non-toxic.

However, corals were found to be affected by the asphyxiation caused by the N. scintillans bloom in Valai and Thalaiyari islands that triggered the massive death of marine organisms.