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The Australian Marine Conservation Society has flagged that with the Great Barrier Reef having suffered its 6th mass bleaching event in the last nine years - only the second time mass bleaching has occurred in consecutive summers - the next Australian Government must rapidly cut climate pollution and commit to no new fossil fuel approvals.

Coral bleaching stretches over 1300 km from Townsville to Cape York, with alarming heat stress in the Far North.

Flood plumes impact the northern and central regions, threatening coral and seagrass habitats vital to turtles and dugongs.

The Reef needs an Emergency Response Plan to increase resilience for reefs affected by major events like bleaching, cyclones and floods.

The Australian Marine Conservation Society demands action from the next Australian Government, and the Queensland Government, as the latest summer snapshot shows the Great Barrier Reef has suffered yet another devastating mass bleaching event following a summer of heat stress and extreme weather. The snapshot, published annually by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, provides an overview of conditions on the Reef during the summer months. This year's report highlights severe bleaching in the north and Far North and widespread flooding exacerbating the pressures on this already stressed ecosystem.

Coral bleaching has been recorded across large areas of the Reef, with parts of the Far North experiencing heat stress levels well above historical averages. The majority of surveyed inshore reefs north of Cooktown appear to have high or very high bleaching with between 31 and 90% of corals bleached. The Reef is already struggling to recover, and the science is clear - things are only going to get worse.

Simon Miller, Great Barrier Reef Campaigner at The Australian Marine Conservation Society notes "After the devastation of 2024, this summer delivered another major hit with back to back mass bleaching events for only the second time on record. Severe bleaching in the Far North and across the North and central reefs, combined with widespread flood plumes across the central and northern Reef, have added yet more pressure to a system still trying to recover from last year's mass bleaching event.

"These reports continue to show the damage climate change is causing, but they must lead to action. Monitoring is essential, but it cannot be where our response ends. Australia must rapidly slash climate pollution and stop new fossil fuel approvals.

"The number one thing the Australian and Queensland Governments must do is adopt reef-safe climate policies. That means cutting climate pollution by 90% by 2035 and stopping approvals for new fossil fuel projects. Without tackling the root cause of the problem, the Reef's long-term health and resilience are seriously jeopardised.

"The Reef also urgently needs an emergency response plan, which the Australian and Queensland Governments implement in response to events that push reefs beyond their limits."

An emergency response plan would establish clear protocols for supporting reefs before, during, and after extreme events. This includes quickly deploying resources and fast-tracking recovery efforts to give damaged reefs the best chance of bouncing back.

Tackling local threats like water pollution is also essential to boosting the Reef's resilience. This summer's floods sent pollution more than 100 kilometres offshore, adding pressure to coral and seagrass already stressed by marine heatwaves.

Miller added "The Queensland Government has set targets to cut pollution entering the Reef, but progress has been so slow that one major pollutant won't reach safe levels for another 90 years. We need a clear, fully funded plan to meet these pollution targets this decade.

"Management of the Reef sits with both the Federal and Queensland Governments, and In the face of escalating climate impacts, they should be pulling every lever to reduce pressure on the Reef. That means delivering strong climate action, implementing an emergency response plan to deal with extreme events, and accelerating efforts to meet water quality targets. Delay is no longer an option."

Reef Snapshot Report

Images: Bleached Coral, Outer Reef Near Cairns, March 2025, Credit: Angelina Pilarinos

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