September 17th, 2024
In a landmark announcement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), the world is currently experiencing its fourth global coral bleaching event. This critical environmental development, the second of its magnitude within a decade, underscores the escalating impact of climate change on marine ecosystems.
@CoralReefWatch's modeled 4-month #CoralBleaching outlook projects heat stress will remain in the SW Pacific Ocean through the end of March, but recede by April. Alert Level 2 heat stress is predicted to persist around American Samoa through April 2024. https://t.co/TckgdgVexw pic.twitter.com/dCPzfbXun8
— NOAA Coral Program (@NOAACoral) March 27, 2024
The extensive bleaching, triggered by prolonged increases in sea temperatures, has been meticulously documented by NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch (CRW), covering vast expanses of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. The phenomenon has been observed in no fewer than 53 countries and territories since mid-2023, marking a significant environmental crisis.
Regions severely affected include Florida, the Caribbean, the Eastern Tropical Pacific, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, and vast areas of the South Pacific. The declaration of a global mass bleaching event, a status given when widespread bleaching is confirmed across all three major ocean basins, reflects the severity and breadth of the current situation.
CORDIO East Africa, serving as the Western Indian Ocean regional coordinator for the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) of ICRI, has reported widespread bleaching within its domain since early 2024, with confirmed cases from Kenya, Tanzania, Comoros, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Reunion.
The world and its oceans are rapidly warming. With intensifying marine heatwaves, reefs enter “uncharted territory,” says NOAA’s @CoralReefWatch at #OSM24.
— AGU (American Geophysical Union) (@theAGU) February 21, 2024
See the science here: https://t.co/TVJsbQBjJv pic.twitter.com/XKtoHUv9aH
Dr. David Obura, IPBES Chair and Director of CORDIO East Africa, expressed his concern: “With record temperatures across oceans and continents since April 2023 and continuing into 2024, the current spread of bleaching across our region is not a surprise. That this has become the fourth global bleaching event should reaffirm to decision-makers that global warming must be halted as a priority for all nations and people, to limit further loss of coral reefs, other ecosystems and human suffering across the planet.”
The data collected by CORDIO East Africa and its partners is vital for grasping the scale and specifics of the bleaching impact within the Western Indian Ocean and confirming the global nature of the event.
Despite the dire implications of widespread coral bleaching for economies, livelihoods, and food security, there remains a beacon of hope. Bleached corals can recover if conditions improve and stressors are mitigated.
Swaleh Aboud, a Coral Reef Scientist at CORDIO East Africa, said, “It is very important during this time to escalate bleaching awareness among coral reef stakeholders, in particular local communities. Minimizing stressors such as overfishing, water pollution, and tourist activity can go far in facilitating recovery.”
As the global community faces this pressing challenge, ICRI, a partnership of 101 international members currently chaired by the United States, is spearheading resilience-based management actions for coral reefs. In response to both global and local bleaching events, ICRI and its members are advancing coral interventions and restoration efforts in the face of climate change, sharing best practices for the effective management of coral reefs.
The ongoing bleaching event is a critical indicator of the urgent need for global and regional cooperation in managing and conserving coral reef ecosystems. CORDIO East Africa remains dedicated to working with partners for coral reef monitoring and conservation, advocating for protective measures and increased public awareness.
With the global bleaching events affecting coral reefs in diverse manners, the emphasis on regular monitoring and not just during bleaching events becomes paramount. The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), through regional networks like the one in the Western Indian Ocean, offers a mechanism for reporting on the impact of bleaching on the world's coral reefs.
In a move to share resources and information about coral bleaching, ICRI has developed the “Coral Bleaching Hub.” Furthermore, CORDIO East Africa’s Indian Ocean Coral Bleaching website provides materials and guidance on responding to coral bleaching and mortality.
An upcoming ICRI webinar on Tuesday 14th May 2024 aims to discuss the current status of the 4th Global Bleaching Event and the role of the global coral reef community, underscoring the collective effort required to address this global environmental challenge.
