Latest news with #Crown-of-Thorns
Hans India
08-07-2025
- Science
- Hans India
Lizard Island on Australia's Great Barrier Reef faces alarming coral loss following 2024 bleaching
Sydney: Lizard Island on Australia's Great Barrier Reef has suffered one of the world's worst coral die-offs, with 92 per cent of surveyed corals lost after the 2024 bleaching event, new research has revealed. Researchers used drone imagery to assess the Fourth Global Coral Bleaching Event in 2024 at Lizard Island, where 96 per cent of corals were bleached and mortality averaged 92 per cent, with some sites losing over 99 per cent of corals, according to a statement released recently by Australia's Griffith University. "This marks one of the highest coral mortality rates ever documented globally," said the study's lead researcher Vincent Raoult from Griffith University's School of Environment. Raoult described the mortality as "unprecedented," especially given that Lizard Island experienced less heat stress than other parts of the Great Barrier Reef. Drone technology enabled precise mapping of the widespread bleaching, said Jane Williamson from the Macquarie University in Sydney, also the study's senior author, who stressed the urgent need for climate action, warning that repeated heatwaves could irreversibly damage coral reefs, Xinhua news agency reported. Lizard Island's reefs remain fragile after years of repeated damage, such as bleaching, cyclones, and Crown-of-Thorns outbreaks, and scientists will monitor them through 2026 for signs of recovery, according to the study published in Coral Reefs, the journal of the International Coral Reef Society. "Prolonged heat stress throughout the Far Northern and Northern regions of the reef caused widespread bleaching," said the reef snapshot published by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Australian Institute of Marine Science and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, earlier in April. Coral bleaching is a phenomenon that occurs when coral experiencing heat stress expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissue and turn completely white. Bleaching is not fatal in itself but bleached coral are more likely to starve and can take a decade or longer to recover.
Business Upturn
25-06-2025
- Science
- Business Upturn
CGTN Releases Interview Video Highlighting Coral Reef Crisis in the South China Sea
BEIJING, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Recently, in a report by Huang Yue, CGTN focused on the coral reef crisis in the South China Sea through an interview video that drew global attention. Ding Zhifu, a fisherman from Tanmen Port, Hainan, shared in the interview the water there was crystal blue. The coral reefs below were clearly visible. While now fish catch has dropped. Coral bleaching is damaging the habitats, and some foreign fishermen using explosives has made it even worse. The video, leveraging fishermen's testimonies, scientific monitoring, and international data, uncovers an ecological alert amid climate change and human destruction, mirroring the existential crisis of the South China Sea's coral reef ecosystem. The South China Sea, as blue granary for numerous fishermen, is ecologically threatened. The International Coral Reef Initiative's data shows that over 84% of global coral reefs have been affected by the fourth mass bleaching event, with significant damage in China's waters. In an interview, Professor Yang Hongqiang from the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology emphasized that the sharp decline in coral reef diversity has pushed many species to the brink of extinction. Seawater warming disrupts the coral-algae symbiosis, depriving corals of nutrients and hastening their death. Moreover, severe storms, ocean acidification, and Crown-of-Thorns starfish outbreaks are exacerbating the crisis. Meanwhile, misleading media reports hinder ecological conservation efforts. Some media outlets have sensationalized claims that China uses coral fragments to build artificial islands. However, CGTN's interview with relevant researchers revealed that most sandbars are naturally formed by wave-accumulated coral debris. Professor Yang Hongqiang presented monitoring records from 2016 to 2018, confirming that sandbars naturally shift after storms, not being artificially constructed. As a pivotal player in global biodiversity conservation, China offers a Chinese proposal for coral reef restoration. Professor Huang Hui's team, known as the Coral Mother, has planted nearly 400,000 coral plants and cultivated over 100 species across a 30-hectare sea area in Hainan. Additionally, China promotes coral reef monitoring and restoration through artificial intelligence, underwater sensors, and international cooperation. Immediate action on climate change is crucial to save the South China Sea's key ecosystems. Australian coral biologist Jennifer Matthews warns that time is of pressing, only with global attention to underwater ecological warnings can coral reefs' future be reversed. China Global Television Network Huang Yue [email protected] 17092894596
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
CGTN Releases Interview Video Highlighting Coral Reef Crisis in the South China Sea
BEIJING, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recently, in a report by Huang Yue, CGTN focused on the coral reef crisis in the South China Sea through an interview video that drew global attention. Ding Zhifu, a fisherman from Tanmen Port, Hainan, shared in the interview the water there was crystal blue. The coral reefs below were clearly visible. While now fish catch has dropped. Coral bleaching is damaging the habitats, and some foreign fishermen using explosives has made it even worse. The video, leveraging fishermen's testimonies, scientific monitoring, and international data, uncovers an ecological alert amid climate change and human destruction, mirroring the existential crisis of the South China Sea's coral reef South China Sea, as blue granary for numerous fishermen, is ecologically threatened. The International Coral Reef Initiative's data shows that over 84% of global coral reefs have been affected by the fourth mass bleaching event, with significant damage in China's waters. In an interview, Professor Yang Hongqiang from the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology emphasized that the sharp decline in coral reef diversity has pushed many species to the brink of extinction. Seawater warming disrupts the coral-algae symbiosis, depriving corals of nutrients and hastening their death. Moreover, severe storms, ocean acidification, and Crown-of-Thorns starfish outbreaks are exacerbating the crisis. Meanwhile, misleading media reports hinder ecological conservation efforts. Some media outlets have sensationalized claims that China uses coral fragments to build artificial islands. However, CGTN's interview with relevant researchers revealed that most sandbars are naturally formed by wave-accumulated coral debris. Professor Yang Hongqiang presented monitoring records from 2016 to 2018, confirming that sandbars naturally shift after storms, not being artificially constructed. As a pivotal player in global biodiversity conservation, China offers a Chinese proposal for coral reef restoration. Professor Huang Hui's team, known as the Coral Mother, has planted nearly 400,000 coral plants and cultivated over 100 species across a 30-hectare sea area in Hainan. Additionally, China promotes coral reef monitoring and restoration through artificial intelligence, underwater sensors, and international cooperation. Immediate action on climate change is crucial to save the South China Sea's key ecosystems. Australian coral biologist Jennifer Matthews warns that time is of pressing, only with global attention to underwater ecological warnings can coral reefs' future be reversed. China Global Television Network Huang Yue wdlpr@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Borneo Post
07-06-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Coral-eating starfish removed amid outbreak in Semporna
A diver removing a Crown-of-Thorns starfish at Bakungan Island in Semporna. SEMPORNA (June 7): Reef Check Malaysia (RCM), in collaboration with Semporna Aqua Planet and local Community Marine Conservation Groups (CMCGs), has successfully removed 869 Crown-of-Thorns (COT) starfish from the reefs around Bakungan Island in a coordinated emergency reef response. The rapid-response operation was led by RCM staff and trained community members from four islands: Selakan, Larapan, Kulapuan and Pemimpin Belia IKLIM Mabul. The intervention follows a surge in COT outbreaks across Semporna and neighbouring Darvel Bay in Lahad Datu. The coral-eating starfish are known to severely damage reef ecosystems if not promptly managed. 'Outbreaks like this are extremely destructive to reef ecosystems,' said Adzmin Fatta, Programme Manager for Reef Check Malaysia in Semporna. 'The scale and frequency of recent reports are deeply concerning. That's why we're mobilising more trained community teams to respond swiftly to new hotspots.' Crown-of-Thorns starfish is a coral-eating species known to devastate coral ecosystems. RCM also reported ongoing damage from boats anchoring directly on live coral near Timba-Timba Island. With limited enforcement resources, RCM is urging all diving and snorkelling operators to adopt reef-friendly practices immediately. As part of its broader conservation efforts, RCM is promoting the Green Fins programme — a globally recognised initiative that supports the marine tourism industry in adopting sustainable environmental practices. These include proper waste management, avoiding anchor use, and educating tourists on responsible reef behaviour. 'Tour operators play a critical role in reef conservation. By following Green Fins guidelines, they can reduce their ecological footprint and help preserve Semporna's marine heritage for future generations,' Adzmin said. In a positive development, Makatagih Travel & Tours has become the first snorkelling tour operator in Semporna to be assessed and officially join the Green Fins network. While most current members in Malaysia are dive operators, RCM is now expanding assessments to include snorkelling operators, whose activities are more frequent and pose higher cumulative risks to reef ecosystems. 'Our reefs are under increasing pressure — from biological threats like COTs to human impacts from tourism. Now more than ever, urgent and collective action is needed to protect what remains of these vital ecosystems,' said Adzmin. RCM is calling on the public, tourism industry stakeholders, and government agencies to unite in supporting reef protection efforts and safeguarding the long-term health of Semporna's marine environment.
