The latest study has found that both the northern and southern areas of the Great Barrier Reef have faced severe coral bleaching, marking the most extensive damage recorded since monitoring began. Recent events, including tropical cyclones and outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish, further exacerbated the situation, yet AIMS identifies climate change as the leading cause of coral devastation.
Conducted between August 2024 and May 2025, the AIMS survey assessed 124 coral reefs, revealing that these ecosystems encounter increasing threats and could reach a tipping point, hindering recovery from catastrophic environmental events. Repeated bleaching, linked to rising ocean temperatures, has led to significant changes in the reef's health.
Historically recognized as the planet's largest living structure, the Great Barrier Reef extends over 2,300 kilometers and supports diverse marine life, accounting for approximately 25% of all aquatic species. Both the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef, located on Australia’s west coast, suffered simultaneous bleaching for the first time this year.
Coral bleaching, which occurs when corals expel the algae living in them due to temperature stress, compromises their survival. Dr. Mike Emslie, AIMS research lead, emphasized the importance of fighting to preserve the Great Barrier Reef, noting its inherent recovery abilities if given enough time and reduced disturbances. The rapid growth of heat-sensitive Acropora corals makes them particularly vulnerable, and they have seen significant declines in recent assessments.
The Australian government is actively intervening with a crown-of-thorns starfish control program that successfully removed over 50,000 starfish. However, the rising numbers of these coral-consuming creatures, linked to agricultural runoff, continue to pose a threat and could undermine coral recovery efforts.
Environmental organizations have raised alarms about the dire state of the reef, suggesting that, without rapid climate action, similar ecosystems around the globe may face irretrievable damage. UNESCO has also highlighted that the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site for over 40 years, remains in jeopardy due to climate change and water pollution, urging more proactive measures to safeguard this vital marine habitat.
Conducted between August 2024 and May 2025, the AIMS survey assessed 124 coral reefs, revealing that these ecosystems encounter increasing threats and could reach a tipping point, hindering recovery from catastrophic environmental events. Repeated bleaching, linked to rising ocean temperatures, has led to significant changes in the reef's health.
Historically recognized as the planet's largest living structure, the Great Barrier Reef extends over 2,300 kilometers and supports diverse marine life, accounting for approximately 25% of all aquatic species. Both the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef, located on Australia’s west coast, suffered simultaneous bleaching for the first time this year.
Coral bleaching, which occurs when corals expel the algae living in them due to temperature stress, compromises their survival. Dr. Mike Emslie, AIMS research lead, emphasized the importance of fighting to preserve the Great Barrier Reef, noting its inherent recovery abilities if given enough time and reduced disturbances. The rapid growth of heat-sensitive Acropora corals makes them particularly vulnerable, and they have seen significant declines in recent assessments.
The Australian government is actively intervening with a crown-of-thorns starfish control program that successfully removed over 50,000 starfish. However, the rising numbers of these coral-consuming creatures, linked to agricultural runoff, continue to pose a threat and could undermine coral recovery efforts.
Environmental organizations have raised alarms about the dire state of the reef, suggesting that, without rapid climate action, similar ecosystems around the globe may face irretrievable damage. UNESCO has also highlighted that the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site for over 40 years, remains in jeopardy due to climate change and water pollution, urging more proactive measures to safeguard this vital marine habitat.
