"Sunshade Solution: Protecting Coral Reefs from Bleaching and Decline"

Scientists have discovered that shading coral reefs for just a few hours a day can reduce bleaching, a process that causes corals to lose their vibrant colors and increases the likelihood of their death. Coral reefs worldwide are suffering from extreme weather events due to climate change, leading to widespread bleaching. The Great Barrier Reef, for example, has experienced four mass bleaching events since 2016. The researchers involved in the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP) found that shading corals can moderate light stress and slow bleaching. Artificial coverings and seawater fogging systems are potential methods to shade reefs and protect them from bleaching.