Great Barrier Reef damaged beyond repair

Amount of coral that died from bleaching in 2016 up from original estimates

Melbourne, May 29: Scientists have said that the Great Barrier Reef can no longer be saved because it is so damaged. The plight of the reef is partly due to the “extraordinary rapidity” of climate change, according to experts.

Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef has experienced widespread coral decline and habitat loss than previously thought, due to global bleaching events over the past two years.

The 2,300-km world heritage site suffered its most severe bleaching on record last year due to warming ocean temperatures during March and April.

“We are very concerned about what this means for the Great Barrier Reef itself and what it means for the communities and industries that depend on it,” said Russell Reichelt, chairman of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority in Australia.

“The amount of coral that died from bleaching in 2016 is up from our original estimates and, at this stage, although reports are still being finalised, it is expected we will also see an overall further coral cover decline by the end of 2017,” said Mr Reichelt.

Both aerial and in-water surveys confirmed a pronounced gradation in impacts from north to south.

Experts have said the ecological function of the reef should be maintained as much as possible in coming years, but that the reef itself will not be saved in its current form.

It is now confirmed an estimated 29 per cent of shallow water corals died from bleaching in 2016. Coral bleaching did extend to deeper corals beyond depths divers typically survey to, but mortality cannot be systematically assessed.

This is up from the original estimated 22 per cent in mid-2016, with most mortality occurring in the north of the Reef, researchers said.

The most severe mortality was confined to the area north of Port Douglas, where an estimated 70 per cent of shallow water corals died and there was significant variability between and within reefs.

This year, further coral loss is expected from the second consecutive year of bleaching and the impacts of tropical cyclone Debbie, researchers said.

This is in addition to ongoing impacts from crown-of- thorns starfish, coral disease and poor water quality from coastal run-off.

The 2017 pattern of bleaching was similar to 2016, but most severe in the centre of the Reef.