The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority today announced it had detected highly variable but widespread coral bleaching across the already fragile reef ecosystem, prompting it to increase its surveys, particularly in areas experiencing the greatest heat stress.
They found severe bleaching on inshore reefs, along with moderate bleaching on mid-shelf reefs. Bleaching has been found in 23 percent of the GBRMPA’s reef surveys, mostly affecting corals that are highly sensitive.
“In the two weeks ago since the level 1 response plan began, the Queensland government has allowed some 8 million tonnes of coal to be exported straight through this delicate ecosystem. This coal will be burnt overseas, driving climate change, warming our oceans and contributing to coral bleaching,” said Shani Tager, Greenpeace Reef Campaigner.
“We already have the effects of El Nino driving this bleaching on the Reef. We can’t do anything about that, but we can stop activities that add to climate change. The last thing we want now is any industry that will further warm ocean waters and kill off swathes of our incredible Reef.”
The bleaching outlook is the worst for the pristine Northern Great Barrier Reef near Cape York, with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration last week putting it on its highest alert level because of ocean temperatures.
“We’re in the middle of the third global coral bleaching event, which is the longest such event ever recorded and has already impacted severely on coral reef systems in the Pacific.
“The Great Barrier Reef is on the brink of permanent damage. We know reefs can recover from bleaching, but only in the right conditions. Dredging at Abbot Point for a coal port, industrialisation of the reef’s coast and increases in coal exports must stop to give our reef the best chance of recovery.
“With warming waters threatening our greatest natural wonder, the government needs to decide whether they want a healthy reef or a coal industry. It’s clear we cannot have both,” said Ms Tager.