Turning the Tide Newsletter – Spring 2024
Marine Heatwaves
Did you know that heatwaves also occur in our oceans?
It’s normal for sea surface temperatures to fluctuate but marine heatwaves occur when ocean temperatures exceed their usual seasonal levels for an extended period of time.
These extreme warm water events can have severe effects on our oceans. Like underwater bushfires, they can cause mass coral bleaching and can devastate kelp forests and seagrass meadows.
Climate change, fuelled by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas, is driving longer, hotter and more frequent marine heatwaves.
We must give our oceans a fighting chance against further heat stress. Marine sanctuaries act like national parks in the ocean and increase the resilience and recovery of marine life to face threats like marine heatwaves.
Thank you to our ocean loving community for showing your support for increased marine sanctuary protection.
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Ocean temperatures impact marine life, coastal communities, the stability of polar ecosystems and weather events such as cyclones and floods.