Hi All,

Here's one for the locals. Last year we dived the Hilma Hooker and I noticed a considerable amount of a red algae that appeared to be attacking the coral on the reef off the wreck. It's the only place I saw it on my dives and I was wondering what information there is on it and is it a threat to the reef.

Here in Florida we have a serious problem with sewage outfall. It provides hi amounts of nitrogen that in turn feeds algae growth, killing the coral. In the last 20 years I've seen some beautiful dive sites destroyed just by th algae.

KM

Kevin,

Although I'm not a local, I was wondering something along the same lines in another thread on this board - see "Last dive on Hilma". I was looking at the pictures of the ship and there seems to be a LOT more growth on it than the video I shot last august. I was wondering if it was some kind of bloom of temporary thing that cycles with the seasons or something else.

I'm curious to see if there is anyone (local or otherwise) who can give a reasonably intelligent answer on this one.

Michael