Urgent Action Needed as Coral Bleaching Strikes Ningaloo Reef

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Widespread coral bleaching has been reported at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, raising alarms among conservationists. Divers documented severe bleaching caused by a marine heatwave that has elevated ocean temperatures by 1.5°C over the past five months, affecting regions such as Turquoise Bay and Coral Bay. Paul Gamblin, WA director of the Australian Marine Conservation Society, called it a "red-alert moment for Ningaloo," emphasizing that large areas of coral could die in the coming weeks (The Guardian, February 18, 2025).

Experts note that successive bleaching events have increasingly endangered coral reefs, as the recovery period can take approximately a decade without additional threats. This incident follows a similar bleaching event in the Kimberley region and a noteworthy fish die-off along the Pilbara coast, attributed to thermal stress. Mia Pepper of the Conservation Council of WA stated this recent crisis is a direct result of climate change exacerbated by ongoing fossil fuel emissions. She urged for a transition away from fossil fuels to protect marine ecosystems and local livelihoods (The Guardian, February 18, 2025).

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