SYDNEY : Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef has suffered the most widespread coral bleaching ever recorded, driven by record-breaking ocean temperatures in 2024 and early 2025, according to a new government report.
The Australian Institute of Marine Science, which surveyed 124 reef sites between August 2024 and May 2025, found that both the northern and southern regions experienced the largest annual decline in coral cover since monitoring began nearly 40 years ago.
The report blames climate change as the primary cause, with the reef enduring “unprecedented levels of heat stress”
resulting in severe bleaching. Tropical cyclones and infestations of crown-of-thorns starfish also contributed to the damage.
This event marks the sixth mass bleaching in the past nine years. Bleaching occurs when high temperatures cause corals to expel the algae (zooxanthellae) that give them color and life. Without the algae, the coral turns white and may die if conditions persist.
A particularly fast-growing yet vulnerable coral species, acropora, was hit hardest. Although past growth offers some buffer against the losses, scientists caution that full recovery could take years and would depend on coral reproduction and minimal environmental disruptions.
The global coral crisis extends beyond Australia, with over 80 per cent of reefs worldwide affected by bleaching in the past two years. Experts warn that ecosystems are under “incredible stress” and may not bounce back as they once did.
WWF’s Richard Leck compared the reef’s fluctuating health to a “rollercoaster”, adding that without urgent climate action, the Great Barrier Reef could face irreversible damage.
Australia recorded its highest average sea surface temperature in 2024 and remains one of the largest coal exporters, despite global calls for reduced fossil fuel reliance.
The country is preparing its next emissions reduction targets under the Paris Agreement, as pressure mounts for more ambitious climate measures to protect its natural heritage.
Despite the grim findings, lead researcher Mike Emslie insists the reef is still an “amazing place” worth fighting for, urging continued efforts to ensure its survival.
– AFP
