Full text link: The 4th global coral bleaching event in Malaysia: insights, outcomes, and paths forward

Executive summary

·       In 2024, a severe coral bleaching event was observed globally, with over 80% of the world’s coral reefs exposed to extreme heat stress. This resulted in widespread bleaching and the declaration of the 4th global coral reef bleaching event

·       This report synthesizes data collected from four regions across Malaysia, including Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, to evaluate bleaching incidence and mortality rates

·       Following record-breaking heat stress between June and October 2024, 50.7% of corals bleached across survey regions in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah

·       Average coral bleaching mortality was 34.1% but varied considerably across the surveyed regions corresponding to the intensity of heat stress at each survey site

·       The northeastern part of Peninsular Malaysia (i.e., Terengganu archipelago) was the most impacted by coral bleaching with average mortality rates of 44.2%, resulting in severe and long-lasting impacts on coral reef health

·       Coral taxa with complex growth form exhibited high bleaching mortality, underscoring a critical loss of three-dimensional reef complexity which may jeopardize associated fish habitats and aesthetic reef value relevant for local economies.

·       While meaningful action on climate change is necessary to prevent further coral reef loss globally, equally urgent action to eliminate local and regional sources of coral reef degradation is required to facilitate resilience and recovery at island scale

·       Research to determine and boost coral resilience will be necessary to restore degraded reef sites

·       The ensuing sections detail these findings and propose targeted management and restoration measures.