The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has prepared a Coral Bleaching Response Plan. Its development has been triggered by the increasing threat of coral bleaching under projected climate change scenarios. Key objectives of the plan are to:

• Provide early warnings of major coral bleaching events
• Measure the spatial extent of bleaching
• Assess the ecological impacts of bleaching
• Involve the community in monitoring the health of the Reef
• Communicate and raise awareness about bleaching
• Evaluate the implications of bleaching events for management policy and strategies.

The response plan has the following three main components

As part of the response plan, a diver surveys the severity and extent of coral bleaching

The early warning system is comprised of climate and sea temperature monitoring (ReefTemp) and early detection of coral bleaching through in-water reef health monitoring surveys, such as those completed by BleachWatch volunteers. If this system identifies conditions conducive to mass bleaching or the early signs of bleaching, the assessment and monitoring component is triggered.

The assessment and monitoring component determines the extent, severity and ecological impacts of a bleaching event. Broad-scale synoptic surveys are used to detect bleaching at large spatial scales. The second component, intensive in-water surveys, validates the broad-scale synoptic surveys and assesses the ecological effects of bleaching, including coral mortality.

The response plan has been developed in conjunction with the Reef Manager’s Guide to Coral Bleaching. This helps ensure consistency among bleaching response plans in other regions. The response plan also links with other monitoring programs such as Eye on the Reef, Reef Check and the Australian Institute of Marine Science Long Term Monitoring Program.

Related information

• What is coral bleaching?
• Current bleaching status on the Great Barrier Reef
• BleachWatch
• ReefTemp