Great Barrier Reef faces serious danger despite areas of resilience

The Great Barrier Reef still supports abundant marine life in parts, but it has suffered repeated mass bleaching and other pressures; scientists, island research programs, and some tourism operations are involved in restoration and monitoring efforts.

The Great Barrier Reef remains spectacular in many places, with islands and reefs that support manta rays, turtles, colorful corals and abundant fish. At the same time, the reef system has experienced repeated mass bleaching events and other stresses that vary widely across its 3,800 reefs, 600 islands, and 300 coral cays. Researchers, Indigenous groups, marine parks, and some resorts are working on monitoring, coral breeding and seeding, and other conservation projects in different parts of the reef. Key points: - Since 2016 the reef has experienced multiple mass bleaching events alongside ongoing pressures such as pollution, overfishing, coastal development, and warming ocean temperatures. - The Great Barrier Reef is highly variable in condition because it is very large; some areas retain substantial living coral while others have been heavily affected. - Scientists and conservation programs described in the article include efforts to breed and seed heat-tolerant corals, monitor manta rays through citizen science, and trial cooling and other short-term interventions. - Populations of crown-of-thorns starfish have increased in places and have damaged coral; the article notes overfishing is one factor thought to contribute by reducing starfish predators. Summary: The reef’s mixed condition means both significant local loss and areas of notable resilience, and ongoing scientific and conservation work aims to protect and restore parts of it. Undetermined at this time.