‘It was our hope spot’: scientists heartbroken as pristine coral gardens hit by Western Australia’s worst bleaching event

Coral bleaching in Western Australia's reefs, exacerbated by climate change and rising sea temperatures, has led to significant damage across regions like Rowley Shoals, Tantabidi Reef, and Ningaloo. While Rowley Shoals shows signs of recovery with surviving corals supporting fish, Ningaloo faces the most severe bleaching due to unprecedented heatwaves reaching 3°C above average. Recovery is limited but hopeful in Tantabidi Reef. Immediate conservation efforts are crucial to mitigate further ecological damage and understand long-term climate impacts on biodiversity.