Our conclusion is that coral diseases and cyanobacterial blooms should be included in monitoring protocols because they are reef health indicators. The condition of the coral will have some effect on the severity of acute, high level natural occurrences and anthropogenic stresses on the reef though it is only the anthropogenic stresses that we can hope to control. We should monitor and document coral diseases on a seasonal basis and observe and report all increases in cyanobacterial biomass. Underwater surveys should be initiated to count the number of black and white band diseased coral colonies and to identify the coral species affected, the number of colonies, and the incidence of bleaching. The monitoring should continue on a seasonal basis the same stations or transects should be observed every two months and a black band vacuuming program should be included in the protocol.
Volunteers can help report and pinpoint coral diseases with very little training.