The Great Barrier Reef which has already phased a mass bleaching event last year is endangered to face the bleaching event once again, says the Marine Park Authority.
The scientists claim that last year’s unprecedented bleaching had already affected over 93 percent of the reef, as a result, killing more than 22 percent of its coral.
The scientists fear that the baking temperatures in parts of Australia this year could be a cause of the bleaching event. As per the weatherman, parts of Australia soared under the temperature exceeding 47°C this year.
Moreover, the climate change along with poor water quality are the major contributing factors in the bleaching of coral reefs.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is steering surveys of reefs between Townsville and Cairns. The authority fears that due to the unusually warm winters and hot summers this year, the reef is under heat stress.
The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) has also published photographs of the bleached coral reefs near Townsville, Queensland and around the Whitsundays.
As per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this time of the year, the waters off the eastern Australian coast is unusually warm. Moreover, a red alert was also in place for the Great Barrier Reef for approximately a month. Thus, raising the chances of bleaching.
Moreover, the corals of the Cairns and Whitsundays are at a deadly risk.
Image Credit: the Huffington post
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