- Title: Scientists observe 'mass bleaching' of Kenya's coral reefs
- Date: 18th April 2024
- Summary: AT SEA, MOMBASA, KENYA (APRIL 8, 2024) (REUTERS) DRONE VIEW OVER OCEAN SEA WATER CHURNING BEHIND SPEED BOAT CORDIO STAFF ON BOAT (SOUNDBITE) (English) KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICES ASSISTANT WARDEN, SAID SHEE, SAYING: "The use of the plastics material, if we are involved in proper disposal of our trash and garbage, that will also help a lot. So the most important thing is use of
- Embargoed: 2nd May 2024 11:06
- Keywords: africa change climate coral east emerging envornment kenya markets mombasa nature oceans science wildlife
- Location: MOMBASA, KENYA
- City: MOMBASA, KENYA
- Country: Kenya
- Topics: Africa,Climate Adaptation and Solution,Climate Change,Environment,General News
- Reuters ID: LVA00B546216042024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: PART AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING
Scientists from the Kenyan coast under the Coastal Oceans Research and Development Indian Ocean East Africa (CORDIO) group, a research-oriented marine conservation agency, say that sixty percent of the coral they observed off of the Mombasan coast in Kenya have bleached.
On Monday (April 15), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) officially declared the fourth global mass coral bleaching event. They say that climate change along with the El Nino phenomenon has given rise to record ocean warmth in the past year which has caused bleaching coral reef ecosystems around the world.
Swaleh Aboud, one of the scientists from CORDIO monitoring coral bleaching, carefully checked his diving kit as he readied himself for another expedition off the Kenyan coast. On the ocean floor just off the coast of Kenya, Aboud documented the extent of the bleaching with measuring tape stretched across the coral.
According to Assistant Warden at Kenya Wildlife Services, Said Shee, who went along with Aboud on the expedition, this coral supports most of the artisanal fishermen in the region. He warned that any harm to the coral could compromise the food security of the community.
Part of the work they do at CORDIO is to educate the community and raise awareness through monitoring exercises that they can take part in, Aboud said. He hopes that the local community, some of whom rely on a thriving marine ecosystem, will also act to decrease carbon emissions.
Aboud is optimistic about the possibility of reducing stress on corals by cleaning up local pollution.
"When the temperature comes to normal and we cut the local threats or local stress, then coral will be able to recover." He said.
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