The Bermuda Biological Station for Research (BBSR) will host a workshop that will bring scientists from around the world to Bermuda to discuss and demonstrate new techniques for assessing coral reef health.

"It is a reflection of the hard work and determination of the people of Bermuda to get the Island moving after Hurricane Fabian that we are able to host this important international event so soon after such a devastating storm," said workshop organiser Dr. Richard Owen of BBSR.

"It also reminds us just how dependent we are on a healthy living reef to protect Bermuda from major coastal erosion from these ferocious storms."

The first International Coral Reef Ecotoxicology and Health Workshop begins tomorrow and will conclude on September 27.

The scientists coming to Bermuda are developing diagnostic tools that indicate whether corals have been exposed to and impacted by pollutant, and whether corals are exhibiting early warning symptoms of disease. The participants will be taking samples for analysis using a wide range of molecular and biochemical tests, which mirror blood work that is routinely done in humans for identification of early declines in health.

"What we are realising is that strategies and techniques for assessing and promoting human health can be used to evaluate the health of our vital coral reef ecosystem," said Dr. Owen.

"When you are given a blood chemistry test, for instance, the doctor is establishing whether you have cholesterol levels that are high enough to result in heart disease in the future. The doctor then prescribes diet and lifestyle changes, and perhaps medication, to prevent this disease from occurring."

"In a similar vein," said BBSR scientist Dr. Hank Trapido-Rosenthal, "marine scientists now realise that we need equivalent diagnostic tests that can show, early on, if a coral is exhibiting signs of stress as a result of exposure to pollutants.

"Such information can be used by environmental managers to prevent late-stage, irreversible decline of the reef habitat and to protect our fragile reefs. We need to monitor ocean health in the same proactive way we monitor human health."

Besides presentations discussing reef environmental monitoring programmes and the impacts of pollutants on corals, and demonstrations showcasing these new technologies, scientists will be taking small samples from corals in Castle Harbour to assess whether the dump is impacting corals there.

Guest speakers include Dr. Cheryl Woodley of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Dr. Charles Sheppard of the University of Warwick, UK, Dr. Carys Mitchelmore of the University of Maryland, Dr. Yossi Loya of Tel Aviv University, Dr. Michael Depledge of UK Environment Agency and many others.

The workshop is being funded by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Ocean Fund, NOAA and the Bermuda Government's Department of Environmental Protection.