Report Australia’s Coral Crisis: Reefs Face 'Underwater Bushfire' Threat

[webfact]

 

A marine heatwave is devastating Australia's majestic coral reefs on both the eastern and western coasts. The lesser-known Ningaloo Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the northwest coast, is now turning white due to the rising water temperatures. This phenomenon, called coral bleaching, has alarmed scientists, with some reefs potentially incapable of recovery.

 

The current marine heatwave, originating from the Caribbean in 2023, has traversed the Indo-Pacific, wreaking havoc on coral ecosystems globally. For the first time, both Ningaloo and the Great Barrier Reef have been simultaneously affected, marking the ongoing fourth global bleaching event that threatens over 80% of the world’s reefs.

 

Dr Kate Quigley from the Minderoo Foundation describes how warmer waters disrupt the corals’ symbiotic relationships, likening this disruption to a stomach bug, and stresses that prolonged warmth could lead to high coral mortality.

 

Despite governmental monitoring, uncertainties remain. Dr Tom Holmes, from Western Australia’s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, notes that follow-up surveys are critical to assess survival rates. Meanwhile, residents and tourists are witnessing the grim aftermath, as the once-thriving marine habitat shows signs of devastation.

 

The causes of this crisis are twofold: rising carbon emissions and local industrial activities. The Australian government’s decision to extend operations of the North West Shelf gas plant until 2070 raises questions about priorities, as fossil fuel projects pose significant environmental and economic challenges in the region.

 

To combat the crisis, scientists are developing strategies to protect the reefs. Dr Chris Roelfsema and his team at the University of Queensland are employing advanced mapping techniques to monitor coral health.

 

Concurrently, Dr Quigley’s team is experimenting with breeding coral variants to withstand higher temperatures. These scientific endeavours aim to bolster the reefs, though experts admit that addressing root causes, like emissions, is paramount.

 

The analogy of an "underwater bushfire" effectively captures the urgency of the situation. Unlike terrestrial bushfires, coral reefs do not receive immediate human attention; however, their health is crucial for maintaining marine biodiversity and providing coastal protection. The current situation underscores the pressing need for policy shifts toward renewable energies and environmental protection.

 

Australia's coral reefs, valued for their biodiversity and economic importance, confront an uncertain future. Their fate hinges on concerted global efforts to curb emissions and mitigate climate impacts, ensuring these natural wonders endure for future generations.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-07-23

 

 

[roquefort]

So the BBC is quite sure it's due to  rising carbon emissions and local industrial activities. Do they not imagine this might have something to so with it?

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Hunga_Tonga–Hunga_Haʻapai_eruption_and_tsunami

[pacovl46]

1 hour ago, roquefort said:

So the BBC is quite sure it's due to  rising carbon emissions and local industrial activities. Do they not imagine this might have something to so with it?

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Hunga_Tonga–Hunga_Haʻapai_eruption_and_tsunami

It certainly didn’t help, but it’s not just one volcano that does that on its own.

[GreasyFingers]

I have been around (in Australia) for a lot longer than the Dr and have experienced these type of reports many times. But the coral reefs are still there.

Just ask yourself the question: what are coral reefs made from?:

[Donga]

I recall scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef 40 years ago, when it was going through a bleaching cycle in the part I was in. The doomsday reports were around then, and the sky's been falling ever since.

It's a multi million $ industry now with so many marine biologists being churned out of universities, and where do you think they end up working? State and federal gov't grants, universities of course and plethora of foundations, as not hard to attract donations to "Save the Reef". The schools in  north Queensland all have Save the Reef signs outside to remind kiddies and parents how dire the situation is.

The cynical scientists to all of this, who get limited coverage, are labelled "deniers" other than in Murdoch media and seen as evil by the far left , which dominates much of the other media, including of course the ABC. Prof Peter Ridd is one such scientist amongst quite a few older ones who are drowned out by the hundreds of others dependent on the doomsday cult. Here's his 2024 report which ironically the federal govt reef body kind of agreed with at the time as again the reef had demonstrated miraculous recovery from the previous bleaching cycle, but with the usual caveats....