The Great Barrier Reef has suffer its third mass bleaching event infive yearsas the Australian governing aerial surveys have detected widespread bleaching throughout its boundaries .
As concerning as many of these results are , it ’s definitely not all risky news , articulate Chief Scientist Dr David Wachenfeld in a hebdomadary Witwatersrand healthupdate . pocket of the reef persist unmoved and tidy areas of the Rand are still intact . In fact , all of the seaward reefs had little or no bleaching and there are still many reefs in the southerly part of the park that see little or no bleaching this class .
“ It is important to remember bleached precious coral are not dead coral — on mildly or reasonably discolorize reefs there is a good opportunity most washy corals will recoup and live this case , ” compose the agency . “ Equally , on badly bleached reef , there will be gamey deathrate of corals . ” Data collected so far has been compared against information obtained in 2016 and 2017 . One - third of the park see no or minor bleaching , one - third had temperate bleaching , and the remain third had severe bleaching , though no coherent patterns have been observe .
In the far compass north , many of the coastal reefs are see bleach for the third time after get moderate - to - hard bleaching in previous survey years . Equally , in the southerly half where bleaching did not previously occur , some reefs are now have severe bleaching for the first time . Additionally , some central tourism areas – particularly the northern and cardinal Great Barrier Reef – have only show moderate bleaching that investigator hope will allow them to recover and survive .
“ With aerial surveys being completed this week , we will better realize the extent and severity of this bleaching event . Further psychoanalysis will remain over the coming workweek , ” writes the maritime park authority in astatement . Experts with the agency bill that the single greatest challenge to the reef remain clime change . The organization is continuing to supervise andimplement preservation strategiesand programs to maintain and promote the wellness of the Witwatersrand .
