Last 50 Years Before Coral Reefs In The Western Indian Ocean Vanish: Study

Researchers have warned that coral reefs of the western Indian Ocean may collapse within five decades, due to overfishing and ocean warming. Coral reefs found in 10 countries along the Indian Ocean were divided into 11 sub-sections for assessment. Reefs in these assessed sub-regions were at risk of collapsing and irreversible damage.

Increasing sea temperature results in excessive bleaching – when corals give out algae dwelling in tissues, turning them white. The same effect was discovered. The conclusion is a massive danger to reefs surrounding the island nations.

Representation Image

Reefs that lie in Madagascar’s south and east, the Comoros archipelago off the east coast of Africa, and the Mascarene Islands are endangered. Per The Guardian, most reefs throughout the east African coast are prone to collapsing.

Overfishing by altering reef ecology and boosting algal takeover posed the maximum threat in continental African countries.

The authors analyzed data that go back to 35 years along with sea surface temperature predictions 50 years into the future. Their study area included Kenya to South Africa, Seychelles, and Mauritius. In total, it comprised about 5 percent of the coral reefs in the world.

Reference: theprint.in

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Source: Maritime Shipping News