Heatwave threatens marine life

Sizzling seas: Bleached corals are seen in a reef in Koh Mak, Trat province. The Trat archipelago is home to over 66 islands, with over 28.4sq km of coral reef, where Lalita has found that up to 30% of coral life was bleaching and 5% had already died.— Reuters

Aquatic life from coral reefs to fish in the country’s eastern gulf coast is suffering as sea surface temperatures hit record highs this month amid a regional heatwave, worrying scientists and local communities.

The once vibrant and colourful corals, about 5m underwater, have turned white in a phenomenon known as coral bleaching, a sign that their health was deteriorating, due to higher water temperatures, scientists say.