A massive coral bleaching event, unprecedented in scope, has been recorded since February 2023, impacting an astonishing 77% of the world's coral reef areas across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. This alarming statistic arises from satellite data, revealing that thermal stress due to record-high ocean temperatures has reached critical levels.
Derek Manzello, coordinator of NOAA Coral Reef Watch, stated, 'This event continues to expand spatially, surpassing the previous record by over 11% in just half a year.' The NOAA declared the global bleaching event in April 2024, marking it as the fourth of its kind since 1998.
Coral bleaching occurs when corals expel the colorful algae living in their tissues due to thermal stress, leaving them pale and vulnerable. While bleached corals are not dead, a reduction in ocean temperatures is essential for any hope of recovery. Previous global bleaching events have resulted in an estimated 14% mortality rate among remaining corals.
As this widespread bleaching affects reefs in 74 countries and territories, NOAA has yet to label it the 'worst' recorded event. In the coming months and years, scientists will conduct underwater assessments to evaluate the extent of the damage.