Bleaching occurs when the sea surface temperature is too hot for too long,causing corals to expel the algae living in their tissues and turn white. Scientists say global warming is the major factor driving more frequent bleaching events.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) chief scientist David Wachenfeld said coral bleached when it was “severely stressed” but could recover if sea surface temperatures returned to normal quickly enough.
“It’s a bad sign on its own,but it doesn’t necessarily mean it will die,” Dr Wachenfeld said.
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Widespread severe bleaching in 2020 caused very little mortality.
The reef is divided into four management areas – Far North,North,Central and Southern. A mass bleaching event is designated when multiple reefs in at least two of the four management areas are affected.
Surveys of the southern reef are likely to be completed next week when GBRMPA is expected to make a call on whether this recent event qualifies as a mass bleaching.