Sydney: The Australian Institute of Marine Science announced today that the Great Barrier Reef in Australia has experienced the most significant decline in coral cover in two of its three regions over the past year, following a widespread coral bleaching event, described as among the worst ever recorded.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the institute said the reef saw its largest annual decline in coral cover in both its northern and southern regions since monitoring began 39 years ago. Coral cover dropped by between one-quarter and one-third, following several years of strong growth. It pointed out that what occurred in 2024 had the greatest recorded impact on the reef, as bleaching ranging from high to severe affected all three regions.
The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest living ecosystem, stretches 2,400 kilometers off the coast of Queensland in northern Australia. Although it is not currently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site 'in danger,' the United Nations has recommended adding it to the list. Since 2016, the Great Barrier Reef has experienced five summers of widespread coral bleaching, a phenomenon in which large sections of coral turn white due to heat stress, putting them at risk of dying.