HONOLULU (AP) — Coral rely on algae for food and their survival.
So when the stress of warmer-than-average ocean temperatures prompted many of Hawaii’s corals to expel algae last year – a phenomenon called bleaching because coral lose their color when they do this – many were worried they might die.
Now the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources says most of the bleached corals have recovered. It plans to announce the result of its coral surveys on Thursday.
–
Eakin recalled diving on a reef in Thailand after most of the coral there died after a 2010 mass bleaching event. He said the fish were hanging out in the water not knowing what to do.
“Severe bleaching events are like a blight that goes through and kills all the trees in the forest,” he said.
© 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
