The coral reefs that make up the Great Barrier Reef are affected by mass bleaching during the summer

A government report released by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority confirmed that this was the fourth mass bleaching event to occur in seven years, and the first during a La Nina weather pattern.

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is suffering widespread and severe coral bleaching. Source: AAP

Scientists initially sounded the alarm in December, when sea temperatures over the Coral hit record highs.

Three distinct heat waves throughout the summer referred to in late March, when aerial surveys were carried out, the damage was evident.

Of the more than 700 coral reefs surveyed, 91 percent of them showed bleaching.

 

It's hoped the reefs have some time now during the colder months to recover, before another summer rolls around.

 

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