Your Earth is Blue: Coral Reef Bleaching
Channel: NOAA Sanctuaries
Date: 2015-12-11

Researchers from Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument recently teamed up to conduct a survey of the coral reefs throughout the Main Hawaiian Islands, which are currently being affected by a mass bleaching event. Coral bleaching occurs when corals are stressed -- in this case, by warm ocean water -- and expel the symbiotic algae that they need to survive. Together with researchers from the University of Hawai'i Sea Grant College Program, the NOAA Hawaiian Islands Sentinel Site Cooperative, National Marine Fisheries Service Coral Reef Ecosystem Program and the State of Hawai'i, sanctuary researchers collected data that will help them evaluate where bleaching is occurring and which species are most affected. Check out our video to learn more!  #EarthIsBlue #CoralsWeek