Bioluminescent bay in Vieques loses brightness as officials investigate
Puerto Mosquito bay has seen its bioluminescence drop to zero in late September, marking the third such event this century and raising tourism concerns.
File photoThe short version
- DRNA Secretary Waldemar Quiles said technical staff have been evaluating a possible decline in bioluminescence at Bahía Puerto Mosquito since July
- Biologist Airamzul Cabral Guadalupe reported zero Pyrodinium bahamense var. bahamense detected in late September with overall plankton levels down
- Mayor José Corcino Acevedo stated a DRNA delegation is expected to inspect the bay on Sunday or Monday and called the resource number one for tourism
- El Nuevo Día reported sargassum, extreme weather from El Niño and tidal fluctuations as possible factors in the recent blackout
Third blackout this century
The Bahía Puerto Mosquito in Vieques has experienced a continuous decline in bioluminescence since July, reaching zero in the final week of September, according to Primera Hora reported. This marks the third such blackout recorded in the bay since 2000. The bay is described as the brightest bioluminescent bay on the planet.
Biologist Airamzul Cabral Guadalupe, who conducts weekly plankton counts for the Vieques Conservation and Historical Trust, told Primera Hora that the specific organism responsible for the glow, Pyrodinium bahamense var. bahamense, was not found during that week in late September, though low quantities have since been detected. Overall plankton communities in the bay have also decreased significantly. Primera Hora reported that this is the third blackout of the century.
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
desde el mes de julio, personal técnico del DRNA se encuentra evaluando detalladamente una posible baja en la medición de bioluminiscencia en la Bahía de Puerto Mosquito en la isla municipio de Vieques. Ese es un asunto de mucha importancia para la agencia y el cual vamos a tratar con la agilidad que requiere.
Our translation: Since the month of July, DRNA technical staff have been evaluating in detail a possible drop in the bioluminescence measurement in Bahía Puerto Mosquito in the island municipality of Vieques. This is a matter of great importance for the agency and one which we will address with the required agility.
The source's own statement, as quoted by Primera Hora. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Possible causes and response
Cabral Guadalupe indicated that possible factors include excessive drought and sargassum influx into the bay, noting that scientists are gathering more data to analyze with an advisory committee. She stated it is not a new phenomenon and that the ecosystem should be given time, adding that some plankton presence has begun to return. Primera Hora reported.
DRNA Secretary Waldemar Quiles said in a written statement that the agency considers the matter of great importance and will address it with the required urgency. Mayor José Corcino Acevedo reported being in constant contact with DRNA officials, including Subsecretary Nelson Cruz, and that a delegation is scheduled to visit for an inspection between Sunday and Monday. The mayor expressed concern, calling the bay the top resource drawing visitors to Vieques. Primera Hora reported.
El Nuevo Día reported that sargassum, extreme meteorological conditions caused by the El Niño phenomenon and tidal fluctuations in the final weeks of summer are among the factors being considered as possible causes of the recent blackout. The outlet noted that the bay drives a multimillion-dollar tourism economy for the island municipality. El Nuevo Día reported.
Where the sources differ
All three sources agree that the bioluminescence in Bahía Puerto Mosquito has declined sharply since July, reaching zero or blackout levels in late September, and that this is the third such event since 2000. Primera Hora's two articles and El Nuevo Día concur on the involvement of biologist Airamzul Cabral Guadalupe and the role of Pyrodinium bahamense. Primera Hora quotes DRNA Secretary Waldemar Quiles and Mayor José Corcino Acevedo directly on the ongoing investigation and tourism impact, while El Nuevo Día focuses on possible causes such as sargassum, El Niño and tides without naming officials. Primera Hora notes recent low but detectable plankton levels and that the mayor expects recovery by November; El Nuevo Día emphasizes the multimillion-dollar tourism economy.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not specify current exact plankton counts compared to the 304,000 organisms per gallon measured in May, nor do they detail what the DRNA inspection this weekend will measure or sample. No timeline is given for when a final scientific determination might be made, nor are any specific protective measures or restrictions announced beyond past swimming bans. The articles do not address whether the current drought or sargassum levels differ quantitatively from previous blackout periods.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official DRNA también investiga razón del tercer apagón de la bahía bioluminiscente de Vieques
- Reporting Bahía bioluminiscente de Vieques se queda sin brillo y los científicos buscan respuestas
- Reporting DRNA también investiga razón del tercer apagón de la bahía bioluminiscente de Vieques
- Reporting Pierde brillo la bahía bioluminiscente de Vieques y preocupa su impacto en el turismo: “Esto mueve una economía multimillonaria”
How we checked this
Primera Hora published the initial report on the plankton decline and a follow-up on the DRNA response, quoting the secretary, mayor and biologist. El Nuevo Día reported on possible environmental factors and the tourism economy. All details on prior blackouts, plankton monitoring and official statements rest on the Primera Hora coverage.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.