From January to May 2025, coral reefs in the lagoons of Mauritius experienced bleaching of unprecedented intensity, driven by elevated sea surface temperatures and prolonged calm water conditions, which induced mass expulsion of Symbiodinium and resulted in extensive coral stress, paling, and mortality across large reef sectors.
While natural reef sectors in the wild experienced extensive mortality, particularly among tabular and branching coral taxa, reefs within the Voluntary Marine Conservation Areas (VMCAs) of St. Felix, as well as those supported by coral nurseries and gardens, exhibited comparatively higher resilience and recovery potential.
This resilience may be attributed to the protection and active management within the VMCAs, where reduced anthropogenic pressures likely facilitated faster recovery and enhanced coral resilience. Coral gardens within the VMCAs exhibited higher survival rates and therefore represent strong candidates for restoration, whereas unmanaged reef patches outside these protected areas displayed slower or negligible signs of recovery.
This disparity underscores the pivotal role of locally managed VMCAs and coral nurseries in enhancing reef resilience to climate-driven disturbances. By integrating science-based restoration, community participation, and effective conservation enforcement, these initiatives provide a viable pathway to maintaining biodiversity, sustaining fisheries, and safeguarding coastal protection functions across the Western Indian Ocean.
More information please click here: https://coralgardenconservation.org/after-the-2025-bleaching-a-reef-in-crisis