Reef Archives

This handout picture provided by Shedd Aquarium shows a dying thicket of Acropora cervicornis (staghorn coral) in Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida, on 11 September, 2023, with some branches completely bleached and others having already died

World

‘Functionally extinct’: Heat wave left Florida coral species on brink

A record-breaking marine heat wave in 2023 left two ecologically vital coral species “functionally extinct” in Florida’s Coral Reef, a study said Thursday, highlighting the...

AFPOctober 23, 2025

Scientists documented the "most spatially extensive" bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef since records began, driven by sweltering ocean temperatures in 2024

World

Great Barrier Reef suffers most widespread bleaching on record

ustralia's famed Great Barrier Reef has suffered its most widespread coral bleaching on record.

AFPAugust 5, 2025

A months-long marine heatwave had "cooked" the sprawling Ningaloo Reef, according to scientists

World

‘Unprecedented’ mass bleaching drains life from Australian reef

An “unprecedented” mass bleaching event has been recorded off Australia’s western coast, scientists said Wednesday, turning huge chunks of a celebrated reef system a...

AFPMarch 26, 2025

World

‘Shocking’ mass bleaching drains life from Australian reef

Alarming levels of coral bleaching have been recorded off Australia’s western coast, scientists said Wednesday, turning huge chunks of a celebrated reef system a...

AFPMarch 26, 2025

This underwater photo taken on April 5, 2024, shows bleached and dead coral around Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef, 270 kilometres (170 miles) north of the city of Cairns

World

Parts of Great Barrier Reef suffer highest coral mortality on record

Parts of the Great Barrer Reef have suffered the highest coral mortality on record, Australian research showed Tuesday, with scientists fearing the rest of...

AFPNovember 18, 2024

Australia's Great Barrier Reef has been plagued by repeated mass bleaching events, including one in 2024

World

Australia tackles poor Great Barrier Reef water quality

Australia on Friday launched a multi-million dollar effort to stop pesticide runoff and other water quality issues on the Great Barrier Reef, the latest...

AFPAugust 22, 2024

Marine biologist Anne Hoggett snorkels to inspect and record bleached and dead coral around Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef

World

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef struggles to survive

Australia's famed Great Barrier Reef is suffering one of the most severe coral bleaching events on record, leaving scientists fearful.

AFPApril 16, 2024

A Grey reef shark swins in an aquarium at the National Center of the Sea in Boulogne-sur-Mer, northern France

World

Overfishing pushes reef sharks toward extinction: study

Overfishing is driving coral reef sharks towards extinction, according to a global study out Thursday that signals far greater peril to the marine predators...

AFPJune 15, 2023