Scarborough, Tobago – Despite coral bleaching affecting 80% to 90% of Tobago’s reefs, there is some good news: surface sea temperatures are slowly decreasing. The NOAA Coral Reef Watch has downgraded Trinidad and Tobago’s status to “Bleaching Watch,” a less critical level, which is expected to hold for the next 5 to 8 weeks.
Current sea temperatures around Tobago remain at approximately 29°C. Tobago’s reefs have faced significant stress from months of unusually high sea temperatures, a continuous threat driven by climate change. This has left many corals vulnerable to bleaching, where they lose their vibrant color and risk dying off. The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) is expected to release recommendations to aid coral recovery and strengthen resilience in the face of future challenges. These efforts will be crucial to safeguarding Tobago’s marine ecosystems.
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