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WA's SCOTT Reef has recovered from mass bleaching in 1998.

A particular species of crab has been helping Great Barrier Reef coral combat white syndrome, a deadly disease that causes coral tissue to disintegrate.

Unprecedented warm sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies were observed off the west coast of Australia in February-March 2011. Peak SST during a 2-week period were 5°C warmer than normal, causing widespread coral bleaching and fish kills. Understanding the climatic drivers of this extreme event, which we dub "Ningaloo Niño", is crucial for predicting similar events under the influence of global warming. Here we use observational data and numerical models to demonstrate that the extreme warming was mostly driven by an unseasonable surge of the poleward-flowing Leeuwin Current in austral summer, which transported anomalously warm water southward along the coast. The unusual intensification of the Leeuwin Current was forced remotely by oceanic and atmospheric teleconnections associated with the extraordinary 2010-2011 La Niña. The amplitude of the warming was boosted by both multi-decadal trends in the Pacific toward more La Niña-like conditions and intraseasonal variations in the Indian Ocean.

The third global bleaching event took its toll on Western Australia's super-corals.

Coral reefs off Tanzania's coast are being destroyed, most beyond repair.

Coral bleaching spreads to Maldives, devastating spectacular reefs.

Coral bleaching spreads to Maldives, devastating spectacular reefs.

These resilient corals can handle conditions that would decimate other species.

These resilient corals can handle conditions that would decimate other species.

Preliminary findings of a comprehensive scientific survey examining the impact of the climate change-related 2016 mass bleaching in the Maldives indicate that all reefs surveyed were affected by the event. Approximately 60% of all coral colonies assessed - and up to 90% in some sites - were bleached.

Preliminary findings of a comprehensive scientific survey examining the impact of the climate change-related 2016 mass bleaching in the Maldives indicate that all reefs surveyed were affected by the event. Approximately 60% of all coral colonies assessed - and up to 90% in some sites - were bleached.

Ranging from goblin spiders to glow-in-the-dark sharks, spanning six continents and three oceans, these discoveries add to the family tree of life on Earth.

Surprising Coral Diversity Rivals Great Barrier Reef.

A new study published in the international journal Nature Communications has revealed how Western Australia's coral reefs have been affected by changing ocean currents, rising sea surface temperatures and sea level variability.

Natural variations in the warming and cooling cycles of the globally important Agulhas ocean current core region have been revealed in a new study of a Madagascar corals led by The University of Western Australia including researchers from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and published in Nature Scientific Reports.

Sea sponge study sheds light on coral reefs.

Indian Ocean tsunamis destroyed one of the world's most important silk-route ports in the 15th century, new research finds.

Indian Ocean tsunamis destroyed one of the world's most important silk-route ports in the 15th century, new research finds.

As well as being a beautiful species capable of changing its colour, shape and even gender, new research published today shows that parrotfish, commonly found on healthy coral reefs, can also play a pivotal role in providing the sands necessary to build and maintain coral reef islands.

As well as being a beautiful species capable of changing its colour, shape and even gender, new research published today shows that parrotfish, commonly found on healthy coral reefs, can also play a pivotal role in providing the sands necessary to build and maintain coral reef islands.

As well as being a beautiful species capable of changing its colour, shape and even gender, new research published today shows that parrotfish, commonly found on healthy coral reefs, can also play a pivotal role in providing the sands necessary to build and maintain coral reef islands.

Saving Coral Reefs Depends More on Protecting Fish Than Safeguarding Locations.

Saving Coral Reefs Depends More on Protecting Fish Than Safeguarding Locations.

As if coral didn't have enough to deal with.

As if coral didn't have enough to deal with.

Sea Urchins Destroy Reef Building Algae in Overfished Sites on Kenya's Coast.

Reef 'Stress Test' Aims to Preserve Threatened Corals.

Deep-reef coral hates the light, prefers the shade.