7 Jun 2019

Massive, and surprise, coral bleaching takes hold in Moorea

From , 3:03 pm on 7 June 2019

A massive coral bleaching event in French Polynesia has taken scientists by surprise and left them concerned about whether it can recover.

Professor Andrew Thurber from Oregan State University regularly travels to Moorea, and was there at the height of the event a few weeks ago.

He told Jamie Tahana one of the most pristine water environments in the world has turned chalky white, and normally clear waters have gone milky.

Coral bleaching in Moorea

Coral bleaching in Moorea Photo: Andrew Thurber