However, large populations Tubastraea colonies were found on a native coral reef. Preliminary assessments showed that some native reefs of TSB are under threat by this invading species. Several coral reefs species of TSB are already impacted as coral bleaching, increase of domestic nutrients in the water and bomb fishing, and the biological invasion of coral Tubastraea can be synergetic, increasing the vulnerability and the loss of other native species.

This project will verify if invasive coral Tubastraea tagusensis is reducing the survival of the two most abundant native species of Todos os Santos Bay’ (TSB) corals by competition for space performing field experiments, along with mapping the population of this alien organism while estimating the proportion of competition events with native coral communities. Additionally, as has been happening in the others states mentioned above, actions to control the establishment and expansion of Tubastraea will be performed while monitoring the effectiveness of these actions in TSB. All the management actions to be developed in this project aim to join efforts with governmental, non-governmental and private institutions that intends to raise awareness in the fishermen and recreational diver to engage communities them into program management actions.