This report is compiled by the Climate Change Response Programme of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. The Climate Change Response Programme provides regular reports on conditions on the Great Barrier Reef throughout summer and publishes early warnings of increases in levels of stress or widespread bleaching of corals.

Updated January 2007

Current Conditions Report January 2007

On the basis of current conditions and forecasts the threat of widespread coral bleaching for the Great Barrier Reef region is currently rated as low. 

Sea surface temperatures continue to be lower than the long-term average for January. Sea surface temperatures are measured using regional remote sensing and supported by reef-based weather stations (ReefFutures). These conditions are associated with  an El-Niño event (Bureau of Meteorology) that has influenced sea surface temperatures along the eastern tropical coastline of Australia. The event is currently weakening. Sea surface temperature forecasts suggest that lower than average temperatures will continue into February (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Predicted sea surface temperature anomaly for February 2007 (POAMA 10 January 2007)

Water temperatures at present are below the average levels known to cause thermal stress to corals. BleachWatch observers have reported some slight paling of corals on reef flats in the central and northern Great Barrier Reef. The condition of corals at these  sites will be assessed regularly as the summer progresses.

The actual risk of sea temperatures increasing to levels known to be stressful to corals depends on a complex interaction of regional water temperatures, local air temperatures, cloud cover, winds and rainfall. While the threat of mass bleaching is currently low, the Climate Change Response team will continue to closely monitor sea surface temperatures and weather conditions. 

The Climate Change Response Programme encourages reef users to visit the Climate Change pages of our site for more information. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authortiy (GBRMPA) welcomes any reports of coral bleaching. If you  regularly visit a reef site, or if you have seen bleaching on the reef, you can  submit a BleachWatch monitoring form. For more information on becoming a BleachWatch observer go to the GBRMPA BleachWatch website.

Related links:

ReefTemp is a remote sensing tool used for tracking persistent sea surface temperature anomalies that may be stressful to corals.

ReefFutures synthesises information from a variety of sources on the Great Barrier Reef including weather stations and temperature loggers at reef sites.

The Bureau of Meteorology maintains a regular commentary on the El Nino-Southern Oscillation.

POAMA uses a coupled ocean / atmosphere model to forecast sea surface temperature anomalies months in advance, indicating the likelihood of bleaching-inducing conditions.

BleachWatch is a volunteer program of observers who visit the Great Barrier Reef regularly and report on the condition of the Reef. It is a part of GBRMPA’s Coral Bleaching Response Plan.