Raja Ampat Reef Bleaching 2024 Caught in the Confluence

In October 2024, a marine heatwave struck the iconic coral reefs of Raja Ampat. Corals in the Dampier Straits experienced severe bleaching and mortality fueled by increasing levels of sewage from rapidly expanding ecotourism. Unless the sewage threat is eliminated, the World’s richest reefs and the economy they support will collapse. Phil Dustan 3/1/25