Singapore corals showing signs of recovery amid global coral bleaching event

Amid the largest recorded global bleaching event, Singapore’s corals are showing signs of recovery as sea surface temperatures begin to fall, with about 20 per cent to 30 per cent of them still showing signs of bleaching.

But the marine heatwave has taken its toll on some corals here, with 30 per cent to 55 per cent observed to be bleached in July, the National Parks Board (NParks) and National University of Singapore (NUS) told The Straits Times.

Mass coral bleaching 2024 in Singapore: community action

Share your sightings of mass coral bleaching. Volunteers will start consolidating community sightings in this map of mass coral bleaching in Singapore 2024. Scientists will be analysing the data shared. Share your intertidal and subtidal bleaching sightings on the Bleach Watch Singapore facebook group. This is similar to the volunteer effort in 2020.

The world is currently experiencing its fourth global coral bleaching event, the second in the last 10 years, according to press releases by international organisations NOAA and ICRI in Apr 2024. The final determination of a global bleaching event means bleaching has been confirmed within each Ocean basin. Mass bleaching of coral reefs, since early 2023, has been confirmed in at least 53 countries.

From the NOAA press release

For Singapore, as of April, we are in Coral Bleaching Watch (yellow). In 9-12 weeks, we are expected to be at Coral Bleaching Alert Level 1 to 2 (red to dark red). From the NOAA predictions for the Singapore Strait.

So what is coral bleaching? Why should I care?

Mass coral bleaching 2020 in Singapore: community action

Share your sighting of mass coral bleaching. Community sightings are consolidated in this map of mass coral bleaching in Singapore 2020. The map includes sightings shared on the Bleach Watch Singapore facebook group, of both intertidal and subtidal sightings.

Dr Jani Tanzil of the St John's Island National Marine Laboratory reported that "bleaching corals were observed in the second week of Jun 2020. Stark white coral colonies in shallow waters were visible from the surface and sea temperatures reaching up to 32ºC at midday."