The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) will soon issue weekly summer reef health updates supported by video updates from Chief Scientist Dr David Wachenfeld, EDMs and social posts. Bookmark to stay up to date.
The conditions of Cairns are good with no reports of bleaching. However, water temperatures are one degree above average following the third hottest September, second hottest October and the hottest November on record in Queensland. The Bureau of Meteorology forecast to the end of January predicts warmer that average temperatures to persist by 0.5 to 1 degree. Rain and cloud cover will influence outcomes.
High Standard Tourism Operators and their Master Reef Guides and guests play a big role in reef monitoring as they are in the water every day and regularly contribute what they are seeing via reef monitoring surveys through Eye on the Reef. GBRMPA will increase monitoring and undertake aerial surveys if required.
Long-term monitoring is important. Bleaching does not always result in dead coral and monitoring shows there has been significant recovery from previous mass bleaching events. The Great Barrier Reef is a very resilient system with many reefs in great condition making it ideal for visiting and experiencing.
Understand UNESCO’s Reactive Monitoring Mission report so that you can answer visitor questions about their recommendation to list the Reef as in danger.
[Weekly summer reef reports – TTNQ Fortnightly Pulse – 14 December 2022]