Ningaloo’s Coral Bleaching is Intensifying

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Imagine swimming through waters once alive with branching coral species. Now, vast stretches lie silent, skeletal, and empty. Between 52 and 71 percent of corals in some areas have died. The reef’s heartbeat has slowed and this is due to rising global temperatures. An example of this is beneath the waves of Ningaloo Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site stretching over 260 kilometres along Western Australia’s coast. Ningaloo is famous for its vibrant coral gardens, whale sharks, and rich biodiversity. But earlier this year, scientists witnessed some severe coral bleaching. Six months later, what they found was far more devastating than expected.

Razor’s Edge Reporter Thomas Koutis spoke with Associate Professor Zoe Richards, from School of Molecular and Life Sciences at Curtin University.

Hosted on air on December 4, 2025, on Razor’s Edge by Annamarie Reyes