Immediate threat of Reef bleaching drops

By Daniel Bateman

Scientists have downgraded the threat of coral bleaching to the Great Barrier Reef this summer.

But they warn there is still danger the Reef may get hammered by cyclones and heavy flooding.

The worst bleaching event known to science has destroyed several South-East Asian reefs since the outbreak started in May.

A scientific think-tank, comprised of representatives from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, James Cook University and the weather bureau has concluded the risk of bleaching this summer is low, with rainfall and cloud cover keeping surface temperatures down.

AIMS researcher Janice Lough, however, told The Weekend Post increased cyclone and rain activity could still cause major problems this summer.

The weather bureau has warned the Queensland Government to expect up to six cyclones this summer, in what is predicted to be the worst cyclone season in 40 years.

Many parts of the Reef are still recovering from cyclone Hamish, which struck in March last year, decimating coral cover by up to 70 per cent.

"Tropical cyclones are part of what coral reefs are used to, but typically once they’ve been messed around and broken up by a cyclone, you’re really looking at five-10 years for the coral reef to fully recover," Dr Lough said. "And that’s presuming there are no other sources of stress."

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