Using A Topical Antibiotic to Treat Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease
In this thought-provoking live training event, Drs. Karen Neely and Brian Walker of Nova Southeastern University (NSU) share their success using a topical antibiotic to treat Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). Specifically, their research shows applying an amoxicillin paste to disease lesions can halt the spread of SCTLD on coral colonies, across most Caribbean species.
Spearheaded by PIMS as part of its involvement of the Bahamian SCTLD task force and hosted by our Executive Director Dr. Craig Dahlgren, this training video demonstrates how to assess SCTLD in the field, as well as best-practice methods for treatment. What’s more, the workshop overviews the criteria used to determine whether an infected coral colony should be prioritized for treatment.
In The Bahamas, the first outbreak of SCTLD was confirmed in 2020 near Grand Bahama. Since then, at least 18 species of coral have been infected on reefs off the southern and western shoreline of Grand Bahama; in these areas, up to 95% of some species were killed or infected with the disease. SCTLD has also been confirmed off Nassau.

New Reef Rescue Sites Take Root in Barbados and Grenada
Barbados Blue and Eco Dive Grenada dive shop owners Andre Miller and Christine Finney (Credit: Eco Dive) Reef Rescue Network Expands to Barbados and Grenada The Perry Institute for Marine

The Bahamas Just Opened a Coral Gene Bank—Here’s Why It Matters
The nation’s first coral gene bank will preserve, propagate and replant coral to reverse devastation from rising ocean temperatures and a rapidly spreading disease Video courtesy of Atlantis Paradise Island.

This Is What Conservation Leadership Looks Like
From Interns to Leaders: How PIMS is Powering the Next Generation of Ocean Advocates Taylor photographs coral microfragments in the ocean nursery, helping monitor their fusion into healthy, resilient colonies

When Ocean Forests Turn Toxic
New study in Science connects chemical “turf wars” in Maine’s kelp forests to the struggles of Caribbean coral reefs — and points to what we can do next Lead author,

Who’s Really in Charge? Unpacking the Power Struggles Behind Madagascar’s Marine Protected Areas
Researchers head out to monitor Marine Protected Area boundaries—where science meets the sea, and local stewardship takes the lead. The Illusion of Protection From dazzling coral reefs to centuries-old traditions,

PIMS and Volunteers Step Up as Legal Battle Leaves Barge Grinding Reef in Fowl Cays National Park
Worn out but undefeated, the cleanup crew rallies around their paddleboard “workbench” in front of the stranded tug and barge—a snapshot of community grit after hours of underwater heavy‑lifting. Photo