Latest Coral reefs News

UN envoy says of the threat to coral reefs: 'Are we faced with a colossal ecosystem tragedy? Yes'

Apr. 16, 2024 14:01 PM EDT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The world is not doing enough to protect coral reefs, the United Nations’ special envoy for the ocean said Tuesday in defense of the marine ecosystems that protect biodiversity, sustain underwater life and produce some of the oxygen we breathe. In an...

Scientists say coral reefs around the world are experiencing mass bleaching in warming oceans

Apr. 15, 2024 11:49 AM EDT

Coral reefs around the world are experiencing global bleaching for the fourth time, top reef scientists declared Monday, a result of warming ocean waters amid human-caused climate change. Coral reef bleaching across at least 53 countries, territories or local economies has been...

These biodegradable straws could prevent new coral from becoming expensive fish food

Apr. 11, 2024 08:23 AM EDT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — South Florida researchers trying to prevent predatory fish from devouring laboratory-grown coral are grasping at biodegradable straws in an effort to restore what some call the rainforest of the sea. Scientists around the world have been working for...

In Hawaii, coral is the foundation of life. What happened to it after the Lahaina wildfire?

Mar. 03, 2024 17:09 PM EST

Abraham “Snake” Ah Hee rides waves when the surf’s up and dives for octopus and shells when the water is calm. The lifelong Lahaina, Hawaii, resident spends so much time in the ocean that his wife jokes he needs to wet his gills. But these days Ah Hee is worried the water...

Oil spill, fertilizer leak from sinking of cargo ship highlight risks to Red Sea from Houthi attacks

Mar. 02, 2024 15:49 PM EST

MIAMI (AP) — A vibrant fishing industry, some of the world’s largest coral reefs, desalination plants supplying millions with drinking water. They're all at risk from large amounts of fertilizer and oil spilled into the Red Sea by the sinking of a cargo ship attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels....