CORAL PROVES THERE IS HOPE
Sigh of relief as Reef report shows less stress and time good for growth
SIGNIFICANT increases in the central Great Barrier Reef hard coral cover attributed to a lack of prolonged heat stress and cyclone activity has been heralded as a positive development by Reef tourism operators.
The coral growth survey conducted by the Australian Institute of Marine Science looked at 53 reefs in the central zone between Cooktown and the Whitsundays and found “moderate” hard coral cover had increased to 26 per cent in 2021.
The 2019-20 result discovered regrowth between 12–14 per cent.
Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators chief executive Gareth Phillips said increased cover was evidence of a strong supporting ecosystem.
“This is really positive news. We are happy with the report because it aligns with what we are seeing out on the water,” he said.
“We can’t rest on our laurels but the encouraging thing is the Reef is resilient enough to have this great rebound. Such strong recovery is encouraging.”
AIMS chief executive Dr Paul Hardisty said of 127 reefs surveyed in 2021, 69 of these reefs had increases in hard coral cover across the northern, central and southern Reef regions.
“Coral reefs can recover from disturbances if given enough time and the Reef has been given a breather over the last year,” he said.
There were seven reefs in the central zone of the 53 surveyed reefs that recorded 0-10 per cent coral cover.
Experience Co chief John O’Sullivan hoped the AIMS data would be looked at by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee which was expected to make a decision on listing the Reef as “in danger” this week.
“Our industry has suffered under commentary that has bordered on the hysterical – (the Reef) has struggled with bleaching and no one is denying that, but it’s a living breathing thing that can regenerate.”
Dr Hardisty declined to comment on what the AIMS report could mean for the World Heritage Committee determination.
“We don’t have an opinion on that; that’s for others. We do not comment on policy,” he said.
The central region, including reefs off the coast of Cairns, bounced back from the lowest coral cover on record in 2012 – after Cyclone Yasi hit in 2011 – to record the highest average regional cover this year.
Sarah Finney visited two different Reef locations with her family on Monday while on holiday from Brisbane.
She said the water temperature and visibility was good.
“(And) there was definitely some highlights and beautiful fish to see but it was a bit disappointing to see some of the Reef had died,” she said.
“We visited the Reef about 10 years ago and it was better when we saw it then.”
According to the Australian Marine Conservation Society AIMS data doesn’t overturn a conclusion of the five-year Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report, published in 2019, which found the Reef’s outlook to be “very poor”.