Over 50% of Malaysia's coral reefs endure coral bleaching problems.
It's not just Australia that's panicking over a massive coral bleaching issue, but Malaysia as well. The Fisheries Ministry in Kuala Lumpur has announced that over half of the coral reefs in southeast Asia are impacted by this life-threatening phenomenon.
Similar extreme coral bleaching events have been spotted in various global regions for several months, including the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and Thailand. This is primarily due to the tropical ocean's high temperatures. When corals get exposed to water that's too hot, they kick out the colorful algae residing within them, which are essential for their survival.
As a consequence, corals lose their color, and prolonged or intense heat can lead to their demise. When the water cools and other stress factors like overfishing and water pollution decrease, corals can recover. However, if the heat persists for too long, they could die entirely.
In response, the Malaysian Fisheries Ministry is advising travel agencies to curb the number of tourists on diving trips to the reefs. If the coral bleaching covers more than 80% of the reefs, temporary access restrictions might be imposed "to safeguard the affected reefs." The ministry has also reportedly established a coral protection committee, involving researchers and representatives from Borneo states.
Specialists predict that coral bleaching will become more frequent and severe as oceans warm as a result of climate change. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), over 60 countries and territories are afflicted by the current bleaching event worldwide.
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More regions, like Malaysia, are facing coral bleaching issues due to heat stress. This heat stress is causing over 50% of Malaysia's coral reefs to experience coral bleaching. If the heat stress continues, half of the coral reefs could suffer complete destruction.
