Western Australia's reefs, including the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo and Rowley Shoals, are experiencing their worst coral bleaching event on record, caused by an unprecedented marine heatwave that began in August 2024. Scientists, like Dr. James Gilmour and Dr. Chris Fulton from the Australian Institute of Marine Science, report widespread coral death, with temperatures up to 3°C above normal. The event has transformed vibrant coral gardens into "painted white" landscapes covered in algae, impacting marine life and raising concerns about the long-term recovery and the broader implications of global heating.
‘It was our hope spot’: scientists heartbroken as pristine coral gardens hit by Western Australia’s worst bleaching event
Climate crisisCoralEnvironmentMarine lifeAustraliaWestern Australia
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Western Australia's reefs, including the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo and Rowley Shoals, are experiencing their worst coral bleaching event on record, caused by an unprecedented marine heatwave that began in August 2024. Scientists, like Dr. James Gilmour and Dr. Chris Fulton from the Australian Institute of Marine Science, report widespread coral death, with temperatures up to 3°C above normal. The event has transformed vibrant coral gardens into "painted white" landscapes covered in algae, impacting marine life and raising concerns about the long-term recovery and the broader implications of global heating.
Trending- 1 August 2024: Unprecedented marine heatwave begins across Western Australia's reefs.
- 2 December 2024: Heatwave reaches levels to bleach corals.
- 3 Late January 2025: Dr. Chris Fulton visits Ningaloo, corals turning white.
- 4 Mid-April 2025: Dr. James Gilmour visits Rowley Shoals, observes widespread coral death.
- 5 Last week (early June 2025): Dr. Chris Fulton returns to Ningaloo, observes severe bleaching and mortality.
- 6 Ongoing: Bleaching continues in central and southern WA waters.
- Widespread coral death
- Transformation of vibrant reefs into "painted white" landscapes
- Impact on fish populations (e.g., Chevron butterfly fish starving)
- Long recovery period (10 years if no further events)
- Scientists heartbroken
- Highlights severity of 1.5°C warming
What: Western Australia's reefs have been hit by their worst coral bleaching event on record.
When: Began in August 2024 and is ongoing in central and southern parts of WA waters. Peak heat stress was several weeks before mid-April 2025. Scientists visited Ningaloo in late January 2025 and last week (early June 2025).
Where: Western Australia, specifically Ningaloo Reef, Rowley Shoals, Ashmore Reef, Kimberley Marine Research Station, Dampier Peninsula.
Why: An unprecedented marine heatwave, with water temperatures up to 3°C above normal, fueled by global heating and an accumulation of warmer water pushed down the WA coast by the Leeuwin current.
How: Prolonged high water temperatures cause corals to expel algae, leading to bleaching and, if stress continues, death.