The Great Barrier Reef of Australia could deteriorate if the increase in ocean temperatures due to the El Niño phenomenon causes a new massive coral bleaching later this year, the country’s main marine sciences body warned on Wednesday.
Some areas of the reef showed promising signs of recovery until a bleaching event in 2022 turned swaths of the vibrant coral a pale, sickly white.
The Australian Institute of Marine Science stated that although the reef stabilized in one summer “relatively mild” in 2023, it was still fragile.
The institute’s research director, David Wachenfeld, stated that the reef was “exposed to increased risk of climate change leading to more frequent and severe bleaching.”
The Australian Met Office said it is “likely” An El Niño weather phenomenon could develop in the coming weeks, which would increase temperatures in the Pacific Ocean and bring a new risk of coral bleaching.
Globally, the average temperature of the oceans has exceeded seasonal heat levels since April.
Wachenfeld said a major disturbance could be enough to reverse the reef’s recent recovery.
Earlier this year, a United Nations team of experts removed this marvel from the list of heritage sites considered “endangered”.
Unesco had first alerted in 2010 about the deterioration of the reef.
Oceanic heat waves caused massive coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef in 2016, 2017, 2020, and 2022.
According to researcher Mike Emslie, even the smallest episode of bleaching was enough to “curb” reef recovery.
“This means that the reef remains at risk of decline from more frequent disturbances”he claimed.
The reef is one of Australia’s top tourist attractions.
Source: AFP
Source: Gestion
Ricardo is a renowned author and journalist, known for his exceptional writing on top-news stories. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he is known for his ability to deliver breaking news and insightful analysis on the most pressing issues of the day.
