Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

A research briefing titled “In hot water: Climate change, Marine heatwaves and coral bleaching”, is claiming that Australia’s reefs and marine ecosystems are at grave risk of mass bleachings and extinction.

The briefing has been released as a UN reef monitoring delegation has touched down in Australia to assess the condition of the Great Barrier Reef. The monitoring visit comes ahead of a World Heritage Committee meeting in June to consider listing the Reef as “in danger”.

But today, Warren Entsch, Liberal MP for Leichhardt and Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef, said the this is the best managed reef in the world, and if there is talk of placing it in the endangered category, what is being said about the other reefs?

“I will be going out to the reef with the UN delegation on Saturday where they will see serious bleaching. But they will also observe where there is recovery which provides a balance,” said Entsch.

“We will be taking advice from the experts and not activists, who want the GBR on the endangered list, and it’s important to understand that we have a role to play in climate change.”

Clr Abigail Noli

And in the Douglas Shire, the reef is a major contributor to the economy and Councillor Abigail Noli has been quick to point this out.

“The Douglas Shire has an approximately 80 percent economic reliance on tourism, so our community depends on a healthy, vibrant reef.

“Queensland can be a global leader in renewable technologies, with some of the best natural resources in the world. Embracing the opportunities of a clean economy will not only protect the Reef, but can deliver huge economic benefits for our region," she said.

TPDD & Mayor

The region’s tourism body, Tourism Port Douglas Daintree (TPDD), says Port Douglas and Cairns have not been impacted by bleaching.

“Meaningful action on climate change must be taken at the national, state and local level to tackle rising temperatures and extreme weather events.

“The areas of Port Douglas and Cairns have not been as impacted by bleaching on this occasion as the heat wave conditions were greater in other areas.

“It’s important to remember the reef is resilient but needs help. Tourism is working hand-in-hand with science and conservations to ensure this remains the best managed reef on earth,” said TPDD Chief Executive Officer Tara Bennett.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the health of the reef is always of a major concern and one that everyone should take seriously.

“We should all be doing our part in protecting the reef while also utilising opportunities such as the Coral Reef Bank to ensure there will be coral samples for future replanting if and when required,” he said.

Climate Councillor, climate scientist and Distinguished Professor of Biology at Macquarie University, Lesley Hughes said: “Under a high emissions scenario, the Reef could face bleaching every year as soon as 2044. This would effectively destroy the Reef and other shallow water reefs worldwide.

“The Great Barrier Reef is dangerously close to another mass bleaching event, which would make it an unprecedented and catastrophic fourth such event in six years. Unless we cut emissions deeply this decade the situation on the reef will only get worse.”

The briefing also reveals that heatwaves are having devastating impacts on Australia’s marine ecosystems including seagrass and kelp forests, and on industries including aquaculture, fisheries and tourism.

Dr Scott Heron, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University said: “The last eight years have been the warmest years on record, so it isn’t a surprise that we’ve seen increased frequency and severity of marine heatwaves.

“Summertime heatwaves in that period have had severe impacts on the Great Barrier Reef, which not only affect the Reef and the organisms that live there but also the people whose livelihoods rely upon a vibrant reef, such as tourism operators and commercial fishers.

It is clear that we need strong action this decade from Australia and from the global community on the primary cause of climate change – fossil fuel emissions.”

Briefing Key Findings Include:

Climate change is warming the ocean, leading to more frequent and severe marine heatwaves. In just the last six years, marine heatwaves have caused three mass bleaching events on the Reef.

This summer, the temperature of waters offshore from Australia has been well above average, impacting coral reefs and marine ecosystems.

After a summer of marine heatwaves, the Reef is again at risk of mass bleaching.

Under a high emissions scenario, marine heatwaves are projected to become 50 times more frequent by the end of the century and many parts of the ocean could reach a near-permanent marine heatwave state.

More frequent and severe marine heatwaves also have devastating consequences for other marine ecosystems.

The near-surface waters off southeastern Australia are warming at nearly four times the global average, leading to changes in distribution of species, species collapse and a decline in biodiversity.

Every fraction of a degree of warming avoided will be measured in saved ecosystems. Net zero by 2050 is not fast enough.

Cutting global emissions by at least 50 percent this decade is key to the survival of Australia’s ocean wonders.

Last year, successful political lobbying saw the Reef narrowly dodge being placed on UNESCOs “in danger list”.

The Climate Council recommends Australia triple its efforts and take bold measures to reduce its national emissions 75 percent by 2030, and reach net zero by 2035.

* Councillors Roz Zammataro, Lisa Scomazzon and Peter McKeown were approached for comment, but did not respond.