The Saba Bank, one of the largest atolls in the undersea world, is suffering from rising sea temperatures. According to a study from the IMARES scientific institute at Wageningen University, the Saba Bank exhibits large holes and significantly decreased growth.

The study was commissioned by the Dutch Ministries of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation following last year’s adoption of the Saba Bank as part of the Dutch Caribbean. It was designated a national park in October 2010.

The Saba Bank is about 2,000 square kilometres in size. Earlier international studies have shown the area is home to an exceptionally large number of species and of great importance to marine biodiversity.

Visible damage
IMARES researcher Erik Meesters has taken 200 photographs and films of the Saba Bank reef in recent months. He said the damage to the coral reefs was clearly visible in a number of different locations. 

According to him, areas of coral that were almost joined together 16 years ago are now far apart. The good news, he said, was that Saba Bank reefs growing closer to shore exhibited virtually no problems. 

The ministries want the IMARES institute to re-examine the Saba Bank later this year to better understand its ecological processes and to assess the bank’s capacity as a lobster fishing ground.

(lo/gsh)

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