Tuesday December 21 2004

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is encouraging users of the Great Barrier Reef to keep an eye out for signs of coral bleaching this summer, as the Reef gets ready for another warm season.

According to Dr Paul Marshall, coral bleaching and climate change expert at the GBRMPA, the first step in understanding the full extent of coral bleaching is to determine which areas of the Great Barrier Reef are affected by bleaching.

"We need all the information we can get from people who use the Marine Park, so that we can identify strategies that might help reefs survive future bleaching events," Dr Marshall said.

"Whether you are a recreational or commercial fisherman, a tourism operator, researcher or student, or even if you only visit the reef once in your life, you can help us to learn more about when and where bleaching occurs on the Great Barrier Reef by keeping an eye out for signs of coral bleaching."

Visitors to the Reef can play an important role in monitoring and assessing the likelihood of bleaching by becoming involved in BleachWatch, which enables reef users to report bleaching observations online at www.gbrmpa.gov.au. The information provided by BleachWatch participants helps the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to detect the onset of bleaching and helps assess the full extent and severity of a bleaching event.

Coral bleaching events occur during the summer months due to elevated water temperatures. When corals become stressed, due to increased water temperature, they can loose the microscopic algae that live within their tissue, turning them bright white.

"A lot of the corals. energy and colour comes from the algae. If hot conditions persist, then bleached corals may not be able to regain their algae, leading to starvation and death," Dr Marshall said.

Dr Marshall said while we cannot control the weather or prevent rising sea temperatures, everyone can do their bit to help corals cope with the stresses associated with climate change.

"In particular, we can take action to make corals more resilient and increase their chances of surviving the effects of coral bleaching by implementing best practices on the land and around our homes," Dr Marshall said.

Dr Marshall said each summer corals in the Great Barrier Reef are at risk of bleaching, however reefs that are healthy and free from other pressures like pollution and nutrient overloading are more likely to survive or recover from a bleaching event.