Alesha Pettersen

Coral Bleaching In The Great Barrier Reef

Everyone in Australia knows the sacred, vast and beautiful Great Barrier Reef, BUT does everyone know that the corals of the reef are drastically becoming bleached and dying ? The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system composed of 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands. However coral bleaching has almost entirely taken over rapidly taking it out at 91% becoming affected. I will be discussing why the coral reefs are crucial to our ecosystem and biodiversity, what is actually destroying them and what we can do to help stop this . We desperately need to help regain life to our historic coral reefs. Healthy coral means healthy oceans and healthy oceans mean healthy earth. It is possible, And we can do it ! 

Coral reefs are one of the most diverse and valuable ecosystems on earth. Coral reefs support more than any other marine environment including 4,000 species of fish and animals in the sea. We need these coral for our planet to survive. They’re home to a quarter of the oceans marine life, generate clean air and protect vulnerable coastlines from flooding. Words from the Great Barrier Reef foundation. This information has been out and you are aware yet the cycle of not caring and not doing anything to help restore the coral reefs continues. 

Despite the beauty and importance of our coral reefs they are disappearing AND FAST !! What has led this to happen ? The plain and clear answer to it all is US, YOU ! We are the main contributors to this problem that we need to fix. Coral bleaching is when the corals are under stress, they expel the microscopic algae that live in their tissues. Without these algae, corals' tissues become transparent, exposing their white skeleton. There are numerous Mass bleaching events that have happened very recently on the Great Barrier Reef documented with full-scale surveys in 1998, 2002,2016, 2017, 2020 and 2022.Increased greenhouse gasses from activities like deforestation, and the burning of fossil fuels for heat and energy, cause ocean temperatures to rise ALL activities pursued by humans. The more and more our corals become affected the more our earth, our home suffers. Luckily there are things we can do to help stop this ! 

Although it may sound like once the corals are bleached they die, BUT did you know they  can recover from bleaching over time, but only if temperatures drop and conditions return to normal. Some ways that we are able to do for example whilst visiting Practice safe and responsible diving and snorkeling.  Avoid touching reefs or anchoring your boat on the reef. Contact with the reef will damage the delicate coral animals, and anchoring on the reef can kill corals, so look for sandy bottom or use moorings, if available. Everyday things we are able to do to prevent coral bleaching and releases of greenhouse gasses is to  Recycle and dispose of trash properly.  Marine debris can be harmful to coral reefs. Recycle your trash at home and on the go, and remember the three R’s (reduce, reuse, and recycle). When disposing of trash, do it properly in bins, to avoid trash being blown or washed away into waterways and oceans. On beaches, make sure you leave no trash behind. Use environmentally-friendly modes of transportation.  Instead of driving a car, try to walk, bike, or use public transport (like buses and trains) more often. See it's as simple as that just a couple simple steps to include in you everyday life can make such a huge difference on our corals. 

It's time that we take action. No coral later means no earth. WE DO NOT WANT THAT. Our coral reefs deserve more attention. As from my 3 points i said that Coral reefs support more than any other marine environment including 4,000 species of fish and animals in the sea. We need these coral for our planet to survive. The effect that coral bleaching has taken on the coral and what we can definitely do to help. Get eager to help restore this beautiful monument of our country Australia https://www.des.qld.gov.au/great-barrier-reef to read and get involved now !