Ocean warming and acidification are causing coral reef collapse, which eliminates the complex habitat that supports billions of reef fish and their welfare.
Coral reef fish welfare is directly tied to habitat quality: complex reef structures provide refuges from predation, feeding opportunities, and territories for reproduction. Bleached and dead reefs strip away this complexity, leaving fish exposed, malnourished, and stressed. Beyond direct welfare, acidification-impaired sensory function means fish cannot effectively detect and avoid predators, increasing fear and injury. Climate change is the largest single threat to marine fish welfare globally.