Great Barrier Reef hit by sixth coral bleaching event - video

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has confirmed an unprecedented sixth mass coral bleaching event since 1998.This is the first time mass bleaching has happened in a cooler La Nina year which scientists had hoped would be a period of recovery for corals.Most reefs along that stretch were recorded as 'severe', which means at least 60% of an individual reef's corals had bleached. Some of those reefs also had corals that had bleached and then died in the last few weeks.Dr Neal Cantin, an Australian Institute of Marine Science research scientist, led one of two observing teams and personally observed reefs from helicopters across 1,800km.Between the Whitsunday Islands and Cooktown he says he 'did not fly over a reef and score it as "no bleaching".'Great Barrier Reef authority confirms unprecedented sixth mass coral bleaching event Continue reading...