Damage to Reef ‘normal’

FRESH coral bleaching occurring off the Far Northern coast is no cause for alarm, according to the Great Barrier Reef watchdog.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority this week received a report of brain and branching corals “heavily paling” on the reef flat at Opal Reef, off Port Douglas.

The Barrier Reef has been placed on “bleach watch” in case rising sea temperatures cause the third mass coral bleaching event on the natural wonder in three years.

GBRMPA’s acting chief scientist Dr Mark Reid said the authority had received reports of minor bleaching across the marine park for several weeks, which was not unusual this time of year.

He said it was not an indication that mass bleaching was starting on the Reef again.

“What we’ve got to realise is we’re living in an environment with a changed climate,” he said.

“We are probably in a situation where we’re likely to get minor bleaching every summer, simply because of the changed conditions of global temperatures.”

He said Cyclone Owen could bring cooler sea temperatures, which would help stave off bleaching, but the storm could also bring physical damage to coral.

“Cyclones are always a bit of a double-edged sword,” he said.

Reef users are encouraged to submit any reports of coral bleaching or coral damage through GBRMPA’s Eye on the Reef program at www.gbrmpa.gov.au.