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The Great Barrier Reef is experiencing unprecedented levels of coral bleaching, with damage being observed up to 59 feet below the surface. EcoWatch is a digital platform that was established in 2005 in Ohio, focusing on publishing high-quality, science-based content related to environmental matters, including issues, causes, and solutions.
According to The Guardian, the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) has shared video footage indicating that the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef is experiencing coral bleaching in its deep-sea corals.
According to a press release from AMCS, the footage reveals that the bleaching is happening as deep as 59.1 feet, which is the deepest recorded in this mass bleaching event. As a result of unusually high sea temperatures, some of the corals are starting to perish.
Dr. Selina Ward, who used to be the academic director of the Heron Island Research Station at the University of Queensland, expressed deep sadness about the current bleaching event, calling it the most severe one she has witnessed.
Ward observed severe coral bleaching in all 16 locations she visited in the southern Great Barrier Reef, noting that it was the most severe she had witnessed in 30 years.
Since 1992, I have been involved in working on the Reef, but this current mass coral bleaching event has been particularly challenging for me. The wide range of species affected has made it difficult to cope with. When looking at the bleached areas, it is evident that there are numerous species that have been affected, including some that are usually resilient to bleaching. Overall, this situation is not a pleasant one to deal with.
Recent aerial survey data revealed that a significant portion of the reef, around 75 percent, has been affected by bleaching in the ongoing event. The severity of the bleaching is categorized as "high to extreme" in many areas.
Marine heat waves caused by climate change can lead to corals becoming stressed and expelling the algae they live in symbiosis with. These algae provide corals with color and energy, so prolonged periods without them can result in starvation for the corals.
New footage has revealed widespread coral bleaching in the southern reefs, with evidence of severe bleaching in central and northern areas as well. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has conducted aerial surveys and collected data on the extent of the bleaching event. Dr. Lissa Schindler, campaign manager with AMCS, emphasized the importance of releasing maps to the public to showcase the severity of the bleaching. In-water surveys will still be necessary over the coming months.
Certain areas of reefs in the southern region have experienced higher than normal water temperatures for a period of 14.57 weeks, surpassing the previous record of 11.8 weeks set in April 2020, as reported by data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The Great Barrier Reef is currently undergoing its fifth mass coral bleaching event in just eight years, which is more severe than the bleaching events in 2020 and 2022. Scientists fear that this bleaching event may be as severe as the worst one on record in 2016. This unprecedented situation is due to prolonged marine heatwaves that the Reef has never faced before.
According to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, recent surveys of over 1,000 individual reefs revealed that over 50 percent are experiencing significant bleaching, with less than 10 percent experiencing extreme bleaching. Approximately a quarter of the reefs surveyed showed minimal impact.
"Coral species that were once able to withstand past marine heatwaves are now experiencing bleaching. We are witnessing coral dying due to the high levels of heat, and we anticipate that this will affect multiple coral species," stated Schindler in the press release. "The Great Barrier Reef is a well-known symbol globally, hosting numerous species and contributing $6 billion to the economy each year. If this were a bushfire, it would be declared a national disaster. However, because it is underwater and not visible, it is not receiving the necessary attention from our leaders."
Schindler highlighted the importance of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority taking on a more significant role in tackling the threats to the reef caused by climate change.
Check out this Instagram post from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, shared on their official account @gbrmarinepark.
According to Schindler, the Australian Government needs to increase its goals for reducing emissions in order to align with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, which is crucial for coral reefs. The current target of a 43% reduction by 2030 is not sufficient, as it only aligns with a 2°C warming scenario, leading to the potential loss of 99% of the world's coral reefs. To fulfill its commitment to protecting the Great Barrier Reef, the Albanese government should aim for net-zero emissions by 2035 and refrain from approving new fossil fuel projects.
The issues facing the Great Barrier Reef are a result of climate change caused by human activities. It is crucial to act quickly to address and reduce the root cause of the problem, as Ward emphasized.
The recent bleaching event prompts the question of what actions are being taken to prevent the loss of the Reef. There is a sense of urgency as time is running out, and immediate steps must be taken to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Continuing to allow new fossil fuel developments while trying to save the Great Barrier Reef is not a viable solution. It is time to take action without any more excuses, as stated by Ward in the press release.
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