'Boiling not warming': Marine life suffers as Thai sea temperatures hit record
'Boiling not warming': Marine life suffers as Thai sea temperatures hit record
Aquatic life from coral reefs to fish in the Thailand's eastern gulf coast is suffering as sea surface temperatures hit record highs this month amid a regional heatwave, worrying scientists and local communities.
The once vibrant and colourful corals, about five metres (16 feet) underwater, have turned white in a phenomenon known as coral bleaching, a sign that their health was deteriorating, due to higher water temperatures, scientists say.
Sea surface temperatures in the Eastern Gulf of Thailand reached 32.73°C (90.91°F) earlier this month while underwater readings are slightly warmer, with dive computers showing around 33°C, data shows.
If water temperatures do not cool, more coral will die, Lalita said.
"It's global boiling, not just global warming," she said.