In August 2023, an intense marine heatwave along the Saudi Arabian coast of the central Red Sea coincided with the mass beaching of dead fish, prompting a team of KAUST researchers to investigate[1].

Temperatures in oceans and seas around the globe are rising due to anthropogenic climate change, increasing stress on marine ecosystems and wildlife. Marine heatwaves occur when localized water temperatures exceed historical average sea temperatures; extreme events occur when temperatures reach 2ºC or more above average for a prolonged period. This can have multifaceted and catastrophic effects on marine life.