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Iconic coral reefs along the coast of Western Australia (WA) have suffered unprecedented bleaching, according to scientists, following the state’s “longest, largest and most intense” marine heatwave on record.
Between August of last year and this past May, elevated water temperatures placed significant heat stress on the reefs, leading to widespread coral bleaching. This process, where corals expel the algae vital for their survival and color, is often fatal.
The damage, which will require months to fully assess, spans 1,500km (932 miles) and includes regions previously unaffected by climate change.
Coral reefs globally have been impacted by a prolonged, two-year coral bleaching event, driven by record high ocean temperatures.
Experts indicate that approximately eight weeks of heat stress is typically sufficient to kill coral. Preliminary estimates from Australia’s marine science agency suggest that many WA reefs endured between 15 and 30 weeks of such stress.
“The duration and intensity of the heat stress, coupled with its widespread impact across multiple regions, represents an unprecedented event for most reefs in Western Australia,” stated James Gilmour of the Australian Institute of Marine Science (Aims).
A new report from Aims researchers concludes that the 2024-25 season witnessed the “most severe coral bleaching on record” for WA coral reefs, affecting both northwestern and central reef systems.
“Areas that previously offered hope due to their resilience to bleaching – such as the Rowley Shoals, north Kimberley, and Ningaloo – have been severely impacted this time. Climate heating has now demonstrably affected these reefs,” Gilmour added.
Ningaloo Reef, like the Great Barrier Reef on Australia’s east coast, is a designated World Heritage site. The Great Barrier Reef has also experienced significant coral bleaching in recent years.
Last week, a new report revealed the Great Barrier Reef – the world’s largest coral system stretching over 2,300km (1,429 miles) – experienced its biggest decline in coral in almost four decades.
Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt emphasized to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the coral damage at Ningaloo “underscores the urgent need for Australia and the world to take decisive action, including achieving net-zero emissions.”
Scientists warn that climate change is causing bleaching events to occur more frequently, intensely, and over wider areas. Dr. Gilmore notes that this leaves coral reefs, which require 10 to 15 years to recover, with diminishing opportunities to rebound.
“Climate change, driven by carbon emissions, remains the paramount threat to coral reefs worldwide,” he concluded.
The UN has previously cautioned that even if global temperature increases are limited to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, between 70 and 90% of the world’s tropical coral reefs could perish.
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