The phenomenon, known as coral bleaching because the reefs turn bone white when the colourful algae that give the coral its colour and food is lost, has been reported throughout south east Asia, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific.
Divers and scientists have described huge areas of previously pristine reef being turned into barren white undersea landscapes off the coast of Thailand and Indonesia.
The popular island tourist destination the Maldives have also suffered severe bleaching. Reefs in the Caribbean could also be under threat.
High ocean temperatures this year are being blamed for the bleaching, which experts fear could be worse than a similar event in 1998 which saw an estimated 16 per cent of the world's reefs being destroyed.
Full Story: Asia Dive Site
Thoughts: This is a serious problem, I've already seen evidence of it diving a few hours south of here, maybe its time to get the kids under water while there is still some coral left!
Thailand and Asian coral reefs suffer mass bleaching
Thailand and Asian coral reefs suffer mass bleaching
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Thailand and Asian coral reefs suffer mass bleaching
Another related article:
Global warming has had a more devastating effect on some of the world's finest coral reefs than previously assumed, according to the first report to show the overall impact of the rise of sea temperatures. It has also wiped out some fish species.
Large sections of coral reefs and much of the marine life they supported may be gone for good, according to the international team that studied the long-term effects on ecosystems at 21 sites over 50,000 sq metres of reefs.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... -seas.html
Global warming has had a more devastating effect on some of the world's finest coral reefs than previously assumed, according to the first report to show the overall impact of the rise of sea temperatures. It has also wiped out some fish species.
Large sections of coral reefs and much of the marine life they supported may be gone for good, according to the international team that studied the long-term effects on ecosystems at 21 sites over 50,000 sq metres of reefs.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... -seas.html