Super-heated seawater off the Florida Keys has become so dangerous to the world’s third-largest barrier reef that scientists are now removing coral samples from ocean nurseries and placing them in cooler land-based tanks. This month, sea temperatures off Florida have reached record highs, posing a serious threat to the barrier reef. “Hot water is not good for any marine organism, whether it be coral, fish or lobster. So we run the risk of having massive fish die-offs, sea turtle die-offs, things like that,” said Alex Neufeld, projects coordinator with the Coral Restoration Foundation.

Heated seawater threatens Florida Keys reef. (2023, July 30). Daily Tribune, p. B13.