‘Symphony of the sea silenced’ on coral reefs

A lack of noise on coral reefs damaged by global warming is impairing the ability of young fish to find a home, research has suggested.

Coral reefs are usually filled with the noise of clicks, pops, chirps and chattering of fish and crustaceans.

But a study conducted on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef shows that the “coral orchestra” has been quietened in areas damaged by cyclones and bleaching. Researchers found that without the din, fish born outside the reef struggled to find a suitable place to live and breed.

Lead scientist Tim Gordon, from the University of Exeter, said: “The symphony of the sea is being silenced.”