In Australia, the Great Barrier Reef continues to whiten
A bleached coral in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park off the coast of Australia.
AFP - GLENN NICHOLLS
Text by: RFI Follow
3 mins
Affected by an episode of bleaching, the site, classified as World Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), is experiencing a rise in average ocean temperatures off the north-east of the 'Australia.
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The Great Barrier Reef, treasure of the seabed already in difficulty in recent years, is now affected by "
generalized
" bleaching, the Australian authorities said on Friday March 18.
According to a recent study, no less than 98% of Australia's Great Barrier Reef has been affected by this phenomenon since 1998. Only a tiny part of the reef is still spared, while traces of bleaching are visible throughout the park. marine.
"
This shows the constant pressure our reef is under today due to global warming
," said Lissa Schindler of the Australian Marine Conservation.
“
A healthy reef can recover from coral bleaching, but it takes time.
The increase in the frequency of marine heat waves, mainly due to the burning of coal and gas, means that it will not have this weather
, ”she continues.
This phenomenon of dieback, which results in discoloration, is caused by the rise in ocean temperature, a consequence of global warming, which leads to the expulsion of the symbiotic algae which gives the coral its bright color.
The Great Barrier Reef extends over approximately 345,000 km² along the east coast of Australia REDA&CO/Universal Images Group v - REDA&CO
►Also read: The oceans in danger
During the week, temperatures between 0.5 and 2 degrees Celsius above average were recorded throughout the Marine Park during surveillance flights.
Some areas of the Great Barrier Reef, particularly the coastal areas and the far north, were between two and four degrees above average.
The site authority said '
early mortality
' had been reported '
where heat stress was greatest
'.
Reef health update for Friday 18 March 2022: Sea surface temperatures remain above average.
Future weather patterns will be critical in determining the severity of coral bleaching across the Marine Park.
https://t.co/eV9Tqm0cuj.
#ReefAuthority continuing to monitor the situation pic.twitter.com/bTr6NvtFhK
— Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (@gbrmarinepark) March 18, 2022
The Great Barrier Reef, soon on the list of sites in danger?
This alarming observation comes at a time when Unesco is preparing to carry out an inspection of the site, to check its state of health.
Depending on the results of the mission, which will be presented in June 2022 to the World Heritage Committee, the Great Barrier could join the list of sites in danger,
which it had escaped last July
, despite the recommendation of Unesco .
In 2015, when the UN threatened to downgrade the status of the Great Barrier Reef, a World Heritage Site since 1981, Australia launched a multi-billion dollar investment plan to combat the deterioration of the reef.
A mobilization far from sufficient for environmental defenders: in 2020, several associations had accused the government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison of not respecting its legal obligations in terms of protecting the reef against global warming.
►Also read: Australia pays 700 million dollars for the protection of the Great Barrier Reef
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