Tasmania marine heatwave hits seafood industry and puts some species at risk

While the visual impact is not as dramatic as the coral bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef, the rise in ocean temperature has been far higher

Ocean temperatures off the coast of Tasmania have risen to 4.5C above average - twice the temperature rise that led to the mass coral bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef - in a marine heatwave that has lasted more than 130 days.

The above-average temperatures were first recorded in December and have continued into April, affecting the oyster, salmon and abalone industries, as well as stressing already declining kelp forests.