Coral reefs in the northern Pacific are in danger of disappearing because of algae that disrupts the food chain of the polyps that compose them, according to a study by researchers at the University of Costa Rica (UCR).

In some places in the northern Pacific, as much as 95% of coral has died because of these algae, scientifically known as caulerpa sertularioides, which compete with the delicate polyps for light and space. The Gulf of Papagayo is one of the areas that's been the most affected.

Environment and Energy Minister Roberto Dobles told Radio Monumental yesterday he's aware of the alarming results of the UCR study and that the challenge is now combating the spread of this invasive alga species.

Dobles said this will be a “difficult job” but that authorities are taking the advice of experts by beginning to manually extract algae during certain times of the year.

He said authorities are working on coordinated efforts in the tourism sector to establish navigation rules to avoid these algae spreading to other areas of the Pacific coast.

“Without appropriate actions, it will continue affecting ecosystems and the economy in general because of the effect on tourism and fishing,” he said.

This species of alga is present in Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia. It has the capacity to adapt to different environments and is easily carried by currents and boats to new waters.

The UCR study found that this species is not new along the Pacific coasts of the Americas; from 1988 to 1989 it caused all of the coral to disappear along part of the Panamanian coast.

-ACAN-EFE