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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Graham Readfearn

WA’s ‘longest and most intense’ marine heatwave killed coral across 1,500km stretch

Bleached coral under water
The marine heatwave in Western Australia coincided with the most widespread global bleaching event on record. Photograph: James Gilmour/AIMS/James Gilmour

The “longest, largest and most intense” marine heatwave ever recorded in Western Australia has killed coral throughout an area that stretches 1,500km, according to state and federal scientists.

More than 100 scientists and marine managers will gather in Perth on Tuesday for a special meeting to discuss the devastating event that bleached and killed corals on remote reefs earlier this year.

The marine heatwave that hit reefs from the world heritage-listed Ningaloo to the remote Ashmore Reef left many scientists shocked.

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