Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is experiencing “extensive bleaching”, the fourth since 2016, caused by above-average ocean temperatures, the Reef Authority said on Friday.
Aerial surveillance flights have found discoloration of coral at multiple reefs, “confirming a large bleaching phenomenon, the fourth since 2016”, according to a report by this authority which manages the largest coral reef system in the world.
Corals suffered despite a La Nina austral summer cooling phenomenon, the authority said.
This phenomenon of decline, which results in discoloration, is caused by the rise in water temperature – a consequence of global warming – which leads to the expulsion of the symbiotic algae giving the coral its bright color.
Although bleached corals are under stress, they can still recover if conditions improve, however, the same source pointed out: “Weather conditions over the next two weeks are crucial in determining the extent and severity of coral bleaching. corals in the marine park”.
The study into the massive bleaching phenomenon was released four days after the United Nations began inspecting the Great Barrier Reef to assess whether the World Heritage-listed site is protected from climate change.
“The beloved bright colors of the Great Barrier Reef are being replaced by … ghostly white,” said Greenpeace Australia activist Martin Zavan.
He urged the government to show the areas affected by this phenomenon to the UN mission which is currently inspecting the reef rather than the scenic areas which have not been affected.
“If the government is serious about allowing the UN mission to get a full picture of the state of the reef, it needs to take the mission to the north and center of the reef,” Zavan said.
The UNESCO mission aims to assess whether the Australian government is doing enough to address threats to the Great Barrier Reef, including climate change, before the World Heritage Commission decides in June whether to classify it as “in danger”.
Last July, the World Heritage Commission decided not to classify the site as “in danger”, to the surprise of many observers and against the recommendation of Unesco.
Australia launched a billion-dollar “Reef 2050” protection plan after the United Nations threatened in 2015 to decommission the site.
The Great Barrier Reef is home to some 1500 species of fish and 4000 types of molluscs.