An Australian government agency tasked with overseeing the health of Australia's Great Barrier Reef has found signs of heat stress in several coral regions. This increases the prospect of another major coral reef bleaching.
According to scientists, a long period of warmer than usual ocean currents has led to the fact that the water temperature in the reef area has been observed for a long time 2-3 ° above average. Moreover, February, which ends in a few days, will most likely be recognized as the hottest month of the year on the reef (it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere). This is what is causing the experts' concern.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Administration said it is further investigating the resumption of coral bleaching using spot checks of divers, helicopter patrols and public observation.
The Great Barrier Reef has an economic, social and significant asset value that is estimated at $ 56 billion. Australia's Great Barrier Reef supports 64,000 jobs and contributes $ 6.4 billion to the Australian economy, according to a 2017 report.