Western Australia's Ningaloo Reef is facing severe coral bleaching due to a prolonged marine heatwave, prompting urgent calls for government intervention from environmental groups.

This marine heatwave, which has persisted since September, has raised ocean temperatures by 1.5°C above average, exacerbating the bleaching crisis.

In January 2025, around 30,000 fish died in the Pilbara region as a direct consequence of prolonged thermal stress, highlighting the broader ecological impact of the heatwave.

Mia Pepper from the Conservation Council of WA has linked the rising ocean temperatures to climate change driven by fossil fuel expansion in the area.

The marine heatwave has been compared to an underwater bushfire, contributing to significant fish deaths and threatening coral survival in Ningaloo.

Videographer Andre Rerekura described the heartbreaking sight of vast stretches of bleached coral, underscoring the fragility of these ecosystems.

While the WA government touts environmental initiatives like phasing out coal-fired power by 2030, critics argue that immediate action is needed to address climate impacts on marine life.

Research indicates that marine heatwaves are now up to 100 times more likely due to climate change, with nearly 90% of such events attributable to human activity.

Environmental advocates have called for assessments of the bleaching status of other coral reefs in WA, such as Scott Reef and the Rowley Shoals.

Pepper described the current bleaching as 'an entirely avoidable tragedy' linked to the ongoing marine heatwave.

Local communities, particularly in Exmouth, are distressed by the bleaching and are demanding a clear governmental response to protect their marine environment and related industries.

Paul Gamblin, director of the Australian Marine Conservation Society, characterized the situation as devastating, especially in iconic areas like Turquoise Bay and Coral Bay.