A recent report reveals that Australian ocean surface temperatures reached unprecedented highs in 2024, causing serious harm to marine ecosystems. The annual climate statement from the Bureau of Meteorology indicates that monthly sea surface temperatures consistently ranked among the three warmest recorded, escalating 0.89 degrees above the 1961-1990 average. This trend aligns with a global rise in ocean temperatures, now at their highest ever.
In addition to warmer waters contributing to coral bleaching and accelerating ice melt, the report highlights a concerning impact on marine life due to the loss of vital food sources like plankton. Notably, the year was marked as the second hottest since records began in 1910, with maximum national temperatures averaging 1.48 degrees above normal. Prolonged heat led to the demise of about 30,000 fish along Western Australia’s Gnoorea beach.
The report also links rising sea temperatures to more extreme weather events, such as cyclones and heavy rainfall. Australia recorded its second hottest January and has recently experienced severe flooding and heatwaves. The findings underline the critical importance of addressing climate change to protect ocean health and, by extension, the climate and ecosystems of Australia.