Underwater Environmental Crisis Unfolds
Unprecedented heatwaves are devastating the soft coral communities surrounding South Korea's Jeju Island. This large-scale die-off is linked to abnormal spikes in water temperature, shifts in salinity, and broader climate change impacts, threatening the region's distinctive marine ecosystem. According to the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST), approximately 50% of the coral clusters near Bomsom Island, part of a UNESCO protected area, now face severe risk. Over the past decade, the duration of marine heatwaves around the Korean Peninsula has surged to an average of 83 days per year, highlighting the scale of environmental change.
Consequences for Marine Life
Soft corals rely on internal fluid pressure to maintain their upright structure, but rising water temperatures and altered salinity disrupt this balance, causing their tissues to lose tension and leading to breakage and death. Additionally, extreme weather events such as typhoons and heavy rains—often intensified by the El Niño phenomenon—exacerbate stress on the marine environment.
Diver Ko Myung Hyo, a third-generation freediver, reflects, 'Instead of vibrant coral gardens, I now witness an increasing number of sick organisms. Watching entire underwater landscapes bleach and collapse before my eyes has been deeply unsettling.'
Warming waters also hinder the reproductive ability of seafood species, while algae clinging to rocks perish due to changing conditions.
Seasoned diver Son Chung Sook, with 45 years of experience, voices concern over the dwindling marine harvest: 'After decades of working at sea, supporting my family, the catch has completely dried up. My work shifts have shrunk from five hours to three because there is simply less to gather.'
The ecological shifts not only threaten marine biodiversity but also jeopardize the livelihoods of local communities dependent on these resources.
This unfolding crisis around Jeju Island reflects a widespread challenge brought on by global climate change, which poses serious risks to ocean ecosystems worldwide. The loss of coral populations could reduce biodiversity, undermining fisheries and tourism—both vital to the local economy. Urgent action from authorities and environmental groups is essential to safeguard these invaluable marine habitats and mitigate climate change effects.