​Severe Coral Bleaching in Lakshadweep Sea

Recently, the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) reported severe coral bleaching in the Lakshadweep Sea, attributed to prolonged marine heatwaves since October 2023.

• Previous bleaching events occurred in 1998, 2010, and 2015, but the current scale is unprecedented.

Impact on Marine Ecosystems

• Threat to Biodiversity: According to senior CMFRI scientists, coral bleaching poses a significant threat to Lakshadweep’s diverse marine ecosystems.
• Ecosystem Dependence: Lakshadweep's islands and their ecosystems largely rely on coral reefs for their soil and biodiversity.

Understanding Coral Reefs

• Coral Classification: Corals are sessile animals that attach to the ocean floor, classified into ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ types. Hard corals ....