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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Donna Lu

Bleaching of marine sponges observed in warming Tasmanian waters for the first time

Tasmania sponge bleaching. Bleached cup sponges in mesophotic zone
Researchers say there appears to be a pattern of increased bleaching over time, and it will be important to track what happens to the deeper reefs. Photograph: Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies/University of Tasmania

Bleaching in marine sponges in temperate waters off Tasmania’s east coast has been observed for the first time, with scientists warning the discovery could be an indicator of climate change in deeper reef systems.

Researchers at the University of Tasmania’s Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies used seafloor surveys to discover the bleaching of cup sponges in the Flinders commonwealth marine reserve after heatwave events.

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