Malagasy Corals Defy Bleaching, Need Protection

A marine expedition into previously unexplored Indian Ocean waters has found that corals off Madagascar have resisted so-called "bleaching" associated with global warming, possibly because of steep drop-offs nearby.

The findings, presented at a conservation conference in the Malagasy capital, could help policy makers decide which areas to protect from illegal fishing, mining or pollution.

"This is important to know because it can allow the government to prioritise the areas it needs to protect," - Sheila McKenna, director of marine biodiversity for CI's Center for Applied Biodiversity Science