Assessment of the Coral Reefs of the Turks and Caicos Islands (Part 1: Stony Corals and Algae)

Major constituents of the benthic reef community (stony corals, algae) were assessed in 28 reefs on the Caicos, Turks and Mouchoir Banks. Living stony coral cover ranged from 8-28%, averaging 18% overall. Montastraea annularis and M. faveolata of “intermediate” sizes (cm) dominated all examined reefs. Acropora palmata and A. cervicornis were scarce. The most frequently recruiting scleractinians were Porites astreoides and Agaricia agaricites; Montastraea recruits were uncommon. Old partial-colony mortality (overall mean = 23%) was greater than recent partial-colony mortality (mean = 3%). Crustose coralline algae and turf algae were generally more abundant than macroalgae. Mouchoir Bank, with the most isolated reefs, was in relatively poor condition, which suggests that remoteness alone does not protect coral reefs

Assessment of the Coral Reefs of the Turks and Caicos Islands (Part 2: Fish Communities)

Ecologically and commercially significant coral reef fishes were surveyed at 28 sites in the Turks and Caicos Islands during August 1999. Our results constitute the first quantitative census of these fishes and can serve as baseline information for subsequent studies. Their density and size generally were highest off West Caicos and lowest in Mouchoir Bank. Herbivore density overall showed no correlation with macroalgal index (a proxy for biomass) or live stony coral cover, but surgeonfish density was positively correlated with macroalgal index. Species richness of these select fishes was positively correlated with the species richness of stony corals that were ≥10cm in diameter. Current fishing pressures overall were low, and the reef-fish communities appeared relatively intact on the Turks and Caicos Banks. However, overfishing and destructive fishing practices have negatively impacted the reef fish communities on Mouchoir Bank

Gorgonian and Scleractinian Coral Communities of the Turks and Caicos Islands

Shallow-water (4-21 m) coral communities were surveyed at 24 sites spanning over 100km of reef around the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) in August 1999. Line transects were used to survey scleractinian and gorgonian communities in the vicinity of Grand Turk, Providenciales, South Caicos, West Caicos and the Mouchoir Bank. A total of 26 scleractinian species among 18 genera and 11 gorgonian genera were recorded in 68 transects. Scleractinian coral species diversity (H’) was 1.77 on average, ranging from 1.04 to 2.29. Comparison among different locations revealed that Providenciales and West Caicos had higher scleractinian diversity than other locations. The number of Gorgonian genera was also highest in West Caicos, but overall scleractinian and gorgonian diversity did not show a correlative relationship. Q-mode cluster analyses of scleractinians, gorgonians, and the whole coral communities all showed the formation of distinct communities separated mainly by locations (islands). However, scleractinians and gorgonians showed a somewhat different way of clustering: gorgonian communities were characterized more strongly by the location, suggesting overall environmental conditions to be an important determinant in gorgonian communities. On the other hand, water depth seemed to play an important role in structuring scleractinian communities. These results implicitly support the hypothesis that different factors are responsible for structuring scleractinians and gorgonians communities

Status of the Fish Community of the Turks and Caicos Islands: Results from the Atlantic & Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA)

Coral reef fish communities were surveyed at 28 sites in the vicinity of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) and the Mouchoir Bank in August 1999, using the AGRRA protocol. This study provides the results of the first systematic census of fish communities in TCI, which are located at the southeastern extent of the Bahamian Archipelago. Two census methods were employed for this study. Belt transects was used to determine abundance and size distribution for selected fish families and Roving Diver Technique was used to measure overall fish diversity and density. The surveys revealed that TCI have a healthy reef fish community with a total of 43 species recorded in transects and 120 species by Roving Diver Technique surveys. Comparison among the locations (Grand Turk, South Caicos, West Caicos, Providenciales and the Mouchoir Bank) revealed that West Caicos had higher fish density, larger size of fishes and higher species richness than other locations. In contrast, the Mouchoir Bank has lower density and smaller size in most fish families with the lowest species richness. High fishing pressures there appeared to have impacted the fish community structure. The overall results suggest that current fishing pressure is generally low in TCI, and coral size and diversity appear to play an important role in structuring the fish community

Status of the Reefs in the Turks, Caicos, and Mouchoir Banks

Coral reef of the Turks, Caicos and Mouchoir Banks (TCI) were surveyed using the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) protocol in August 1999. Twenty-eight study sites on the rims of the banks were surveyed and a total of 3276 corals in 289 transects, 1421 algal quadrats and 279 fish transects were measured. The TCI expedition focused on the reefs of both remote and more popular areas, and reefs in marine protected and unprotected areas. The TCI area is at the far southern extent of the Bahamas Archipelago and may be an important source of larvae for the reef dwellers and builders as ocean currents drift up from the south. Live coral cover and coral recruit occurrence was lowest, and the percent recent mortality, old mortality and total mortality and the incidence of white, black, and yellow band syndromes was the highest on the Mouchoir Bank, the most remote location. Coral cover averaged 17.8% across the region, but was 13.8% on the Mouchoir Bank. Bleaching was not observed at any of the study sites, whereas, the white plagues were found at every site. Acropora palmata stands occurred mainly on the eastern facing areas of the bank, and A. cervivornis was rare at all but one location. Fish size and abundance was lowest on the Mouchoir Bank. The reefs in the TCI are most at risk from under regulation in marine parks where tourism and development and from poaching and hazardous fishing practices (Dominican poachers and local fishers using gasoline mixtures) which is obvious in the Mouchoir and South Caicos regions

Real-Time Survey of Vaccine Safety of the mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in Workplace Vaccination at Keio University

The mRNA-1273 Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was introduced to combat the COVID-19 global pandemic in 2020. Although the safety of the vaccine has been investigated worldwide, real-world safety data is scarce in Japan. An online, real-time survey of adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) with mRNA-1273 was conducted in the setting of a workplace vaccination program at the School of Pharmacy, Keio University from 26 June 2021, to 11 June 2022. Participants were requested to take four surveys during a seven-day follow-up period after each of the first, second, and third booster doses. The maximum number of responses, from 301 respondents, was obtained on day 0 (vaccination date) for the first dose. 98% of respondents reported local and systemic AEFIs for the second dose on day 1. No noticeable difference in local reactions was seen among the three doses. Females reported more AEFIs than males, and the young group (18–29 years) reported a higher rate than the middle age group (≥30 years) after the first dose. Age and gender differences in rates decreased at the second and third doses. This survey confirmed that the safety profile of mRNA-1273 in a real-world setting was similar to that derived from the clinical trials, and that the agent was well-tolerated

Status of the Reefs in the Cayman Islands

As with many of the reefs in the Caribbean, the reefs in the Caymans have been under continuous natural and anthropogenic stresses (80% of the corals on the walls were bleached in 1998). In June, 1999 the reefs around Little Cayman and Grand Cayman Islands were assessed using the AGRRA protocol at 33 sites. A total of 4521 corals in 330 transects, 1807 algal quadrats, and 341 fish transects were measured. Assessment and habitat data are presented in a GIS. The coral reefs of the two Cayman Islands appear to be in similar good condition but there are some differences. Differences include higher frequency and average cover of macroalgae and higher incidence of coral diseases on Little Cayman. Algal competition does not appear to be a problem for corals at most sites. Thirteen (87%) of the sites on Grand Cayman had standing dead coral and only 4 sites (22%) on Little Cayman. Recent coral mortality was twice as high on Grand Cayman as on Little Cayman (5.0% vs 2.1%). Coral recruitment was patchy, but present, mostly at low levels across the region. Live coral cover averaged 19.8 ± 3.3% on Grand Cayman and 23.2 ± 5.4% on Little Cayman. No old Acropora palmata stands occur, however, low density patchy new growth occurs frequently. The average abundance of fish was greater and the frequency of certain fish, especially grouper and snapper were up to eight times higher on Little Cayman. Grouper spawning aggregations are still harvested in the Cayman Islands