Great Barrier Reef's Most Severe Bleaching on Record; $160M Spent, Action Urged

May 4, 2024, 09:58 PM

The Great Barrier Reef has experienced its most severe and widespread coral bleaching event on record, with more than half of the individual reefs surveyed showing high or very high levels of bleaching. This mass mortality event has left vast areas resembling a 'carpet bombed' graveyard. Despite efforts, including spending $160 million over five years on various interventions and the culling of crown-of-thorns starfish, the Australian government has been unable to prevent the ongoing destruction caused by anthropogenic heating and the continued subsidy of fossil fuels. Marine biologists and experts are urging immediate action to address the crisis, emphasizing the urgent need for effective conservation strategies. Prior to this year, 80% of the Barrier Reef had severely bleached since 2016, and NOAA announced last month a rare global mass coral bleaching event impacting at least 53 countries.