MYSTIC AQUARIUM ON A MISSION:
Bringing Awareness to Predicted Global Coral Bleaching
Event
 The US
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting
another strong El Niño, resulting in the third global bleaching event
since 1998.
What
is a Coral Bleaching Event?
Coral bleaching occurs when corals
become stressed as a result of warmer than normal water temperatures and
excessive sunlight. This causes the corals to produce toxic compounds and
expel brown algae grown within the body tissue, turning the coral an
unnatural white color.
As ocean temperatures rise, coral
bleaching is one of the most visual indicators of thermal stress due to
climate change. Limited coral bleaching is reported each year, especially
during the warmer summer months when ocean temperatures rise. Global
bleaching usually spans across many oceans and tends to be associated
with the likes of El Niño conditions, affecting entire reef systems, not
just a few individual corals.
Within a few months, a
coral-dominated reef can change to an algae-dominated reef as a result of
a global bleaching event - a process that can take decades or longer to
reverse - especially in association with other stressors like overfishing
and run-off from poor land use practices. A coral's ability to recover
often depends on how healthy it was before the event.
How can you
help? 
Unfortunately, we cannot stop an El
Niño event that is already in motion. However, you can take steps to
minimize stressors that could further damage coral reefs and other marine
life.
- Make a conscious effort
to reduce the amount of trash you produce.
- Minimize your carbon
footprint by driving less.
- Use appliances and
vehicles that are energy efficient.
- If you are a boater,
pledge to keep fuel, sewage and trash out of the water.
- Learn more about coral
bleaching at www.GlobalCoralBleaching.org.
Together,
we can make a difference to protect our ocean planet.
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