DescriptionBleached Sea Sponges found in New Zealand waters.jpg
English: Bleached sea sponges have been found off New Zealand’s coastline for the first time. The alarming discovery took place at multiple sites near the Breaksea Sound fjord, visible in this image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 14 May 2022. In some areas, up to 95% of the sponges were bleached. Sea sponges are very common in New Zealand, dominating the ocean floor around the country and playing a crucial role in creating a welcoming habitat for fish and other marine species. The extreme ocean temperatures recorded in 2021, New Zealand’s hottest year on record are believed to be responsible for the bleaching episode. The ocean warming persisted in April 2022, with coastal water temperatures up to 2.6°C above average, according to the National Institute for Water and Atmospherics. Data from Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites support the mapping of marine habitats, water quality studies and bathymetry (the study of ocean and lake floors), which are vital for ocean floor health assessment and monitoring around the globe.
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The alarming discovery took place at multiple sites near the Breaksea Sound fjord, visible in this image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 14 May 2022.