Sydney [Australia], August 6 (ANI): The Great Barrier Reef has experienced its most extensive coral bleaching event since records began in 1986, as ocean temperatures soared to unprecedented levels in 2024, according to a new report by the Australian government, cited by Al Jazeera.
The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) conducted reef health surveys between August 2024 and May 2025. The findings reveal that the bleaching event was “predominantly driven by climate change-induced heat stress” and affected more of the reef’s expanse than any previous event in history.
The report noted that coral cover in the southern third of the reef plummeted to just 26.9 percent—a near one-third decline—marking the steepest annual drop in coral cover ever recorded in both the northern and southern regions of the reef. The southern reefs, in particular, faced their highest levels of heat stress since monitoring began nearly four decades ago.
The Great Barrier Reef, the largest living structure on Earth, stretches over 2,300 kilometers and supports immense biodiversity. AIMS CEO Professor Selina Stead said the increasing frequency and severity of mass bleaching events are a clear sign of escalating climate threats. “The future of the world’s coral reefs relies on strong greenhouse gas emissions reduction,” Stead stated. She also emphasized the importance of managing local environmental pressures and enhancing the reef’s resilience against climate change.
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Great Barrier Reef is home to over 400 types of coral, 1,500 fish species, 4,000 mollusc varieties, 240 bird species, as well as iconic marine animals like the dugong and the large green turtle.
Despite global concerns, including recommendations from UN experts to classify the reef as “in danger,” the Australian government has resisted such a designation, worried about the potential negative impact on tourism—a sector that generates billions of dollars annually through reef-related activities.
In a separate report released last week, Australia’s Climate Change Authority outlined critical measures to safeguard the reef, including urgent global action to curb climate pollutants like methane and a shift by fossil-fuel exporting countries toward low- or zero-emission energy alternatives. The report highlighted that 93 percent of excess atmospheric heat is absorbed by oceans and confirmed that 2024 sea surface temperatures have broken the previous record set in 2023.
Although Australia has made progress on climate policy, it remains a major exporter of fossil fuels, a factor that continues to put its iconic reef system at risk, Al Jazeera reported.
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