Diving the Great Barrier Reef reveals shocking extent of the latest mass bleaching event

This week, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Australian Institute of Marine Science concluded aerial surveys of 1000 reefs. Half recorded high or very high levels of coral bleaching, and high to extreme levels of bleaching were common in the southern region of the Marine Park, where One Tree Island is located. Our reporter James Woodford went diving at One Tree Island, a remote and highly protected part of the reef, to learn more.

This region is far enough south that, before now, cooler waters and good luck have largely shielded it from mass bleaching, says Stuart Kininmonth at the University of Queensland. The reefs here are also some of the most highly protected and well managed in the marine park, he says. At One Tree Island, for example, public access and fishing is illegal and all activities other than research are prohibited. The fact that reefs so far offshore, distant from pollution, exploitation and development, are bleaching is extremely significant, says Kininmonth.

The good news is that the marine heatwave appears to have peaked and the waters throughout the reef have begun to cool, but they are still much warmer than the long-term average. Now, researchers are set to assess the longer-term damage.

Bleaching isn't necessarily lethal, but if the water doesn't cool quickly enough in the coming weeks then the corals won't be able to recover. Most alarming is that this is the seventh mass bleaching event since the late 1990s. Scientists are increasingly asking how much the reef can take before recovery isn't possible.

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[nasrinmita]

Changing is the natural process of the Earth.this process are not same from the beginning of the evaluation of the world and now people make it more spoiled😢

[peterlyall]

A name like New Scientist makes it sound like some kind of Crazy Cult movement that I don't nothing to do with.

[nurichbinreel]

I mean lets be honest the ship has sailed for those corals hasnt it? Even if we stop greenhouse gasses tomorrow the oceans are still gonna warm for another couple centuries so this is just the beginning. Just really sad.

[eileenspamer]

this is bull you been saying that for 40 yrs, , that scare boat sailed a long time ago

[JetLagRecords]

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