Deaths of 30,000 fish off WA coast made more likely by climate change, research finds

Ningaloo Reef, on the north-west coast of Western Australia. Ocean temperatures in the area were 1.5C higher than average over a five-month period. Photograph: Suzanne Long/Alamy

Marine heatwaves linked to the deaths of 30,000 fish off the Western Australia coast were up to 100 times more likely to occur because of climate change, new research has found.

Waters off WA have been affected by prolonged marine heatwaves since September.