Mass coral bleaching confirmed

THE Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has confirmed mass coral bleaching on the 2300km natural wonder, the fourth such event in just six years.

Bleaching has occurred in all four management regions of the Reef, a report reveals, and while it varies in intensity it is rated “mostly severe” in the northern and central areas.

Scientists had also seen signs of “mortality” – dead coral – in these areas.

Bleaching in the Far North region of the Reef was a combination of severe and minor, while the whitening of the coral in the southern region was minor.

The authority and the Australian Institute of Marine Science used helicopters and light aircraft to do aerial surveys of close to 750 reefs to ascertain the extent of the problem.

“It is important to note that bleached coral is stressed but still alive,” the authority says in its report.

“If conditions moderate, bleached corals can recover from this stress.”

A spokesman for federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley said the authority would continue to monitor the Reef.