The Institute of Marine Affairs says it is addressing a mass coral bleaching event threatening Tobago’s coral reefs.

It says the public has been reporting bleaching at Mount Irvine, Arnos Vale and Charlotteville.

The IMA adds that in August the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coral Reef Watch placed T&T under a Bleaching Alert Level 2 which will remain in place until the end of October.

It notes that coral bleaching is driven by marine heat waves and poses a significant risk of death to the reefs.

The IMA says, this year, the trajectory of the marine heat wave appears to be more severe and extensive.