The Island Marine Parks will start to bleach if sea surface temperatures do not return to normal within the next few weeks. Read more at straitstimes.com.
PETALING JAYA - Coral reefs in Malaysia’s Island Marine Parks, mainly in the west peninsula, are starting to see the onset of bleaching, a consequence of the intense heat and the rapidly warming oceanThe Malaysian government said it has been monitoring its coral reefs and if the sea surface temperatures remain high in the next few weeks, they will start to bleach.
“The Bleaching Response Committee has begun surveys of coral reefs since March 2023 to monitor the situation in the country, and track the onset of any bleaching. The current data showed that reefs in Payar Island Marine Park, Kedah; Redang Island, Terengganu; Tioman Island Marine Park, Pahang and the Aur Island Marine Park, Johor are under thermal stress with sea surface temperature reading of 28 deg C to 29 deg C,” he said.
Coral bleaching, said Mr Adnan, posed a major threat to the health of coral reefs and deserved serious attention due to the implications for marine biodiversity, coral reef fisheries and tourism in Malaysia. Bleaching, he said, is a natural response of corals that are under stress, adding that a sustained rise in seawater temperature is one of the most common reasons for mass coral bleaching as well as anthropogenic impacts.
The NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch Programme publishes satellite data on sea surface temperatures, providing an indication of current reef environmental conditions to quickly identify areas at risk of coral bleaching. Reef Check Malaysia general manager Julian Hyde said they were starting to see the onset of bleaching.
“If the corals die, the reef will slowly degrade and all those habitats will disappear, and the population of those other species will also decline” said Mr Hyde. He said its own staff were monitoring the situation closely, and it was also asking other divers to report if they see anything. “Right now, all we can do is monitor how quickly bleaching happens, and then how long it lasts, and eventually whether any corals die.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US and Micronesia agree to renew strategic pact, US envoy saysThe move is part of US efforts to shore up support among Pacific island states to counter China. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
In Taiwan, former UK PM Truss warns against appeasing ChinaTAIPEI: Former British prime minister Liz Truss will say in Taiwan on Wednesday (May 16) that the West must avoid appeasing China and show unwavering support for the self-governed island, in a speech that risks further damaging Britain's relations with Beijing. Truss is the most well-known British politici
Read more »
Expect more rainy days for the rest of May: MSSSINGAPORE - More rain can be expected for the rest of May, bringing Singaporeans a respite from the recent bout of hot weather, said the weatherman. The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) said on Tuesday that there may be widespread thundery showers in the pre-dawn and morning hours on several days, accompanied by gusty winds brought on by Sumatra squalls. On some days, short and localised thundery showers can be expected over parts of the island in the afternoon and evening. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
DPM Lawrence Wong sees Shanghai as key partner in upgraded ties with ChinaSHANGHAI — Singapore and Shanghai's relationship can be a vanguard of the new partnership between the island state and China, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong told Shanghai party chief Chen Jining on Monday (May 15). Since the Chinese financial hub has always been at the forefront of China's reform and opening-up campaign, the collaborative relationship between Singapore and Shanghai can...
Read more »
US and Micronesia agree to renew strategic pact, US envoy saysWASHINGTON: The US and Micronesia have agreed to renew a key strategic pact, US presidential envoy Joseph Yun said, adding he hopes for similar progress with Palau, as the US shores up support among Pacific island nations to counter competition from China. Yun said on Monday (May 15) that the Compact of Fr
Read more »
Sauerkraut or sardines? Hiroshima's pancake goes global for G-7 summitHIROSHIMA, Japan — When Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida hosts leaders of the Group of Seven richest nations in Hiroshima this week, restaurants in the city hope to put a local speciality on the map, with a choice of fillings to cater for foreign tastes. A gateway to tourism on the western side of Japan's main island, Hiroshima's name is...
Read more »