Recent findings from the Australian Institute of Marine Science indicate that the iconic Great Barrier Reef has recorded the most severe coral cover loss in nearly 40 years. Climate change remains the leading cause, threatening the ecosystem's recovery and stability.
Unprecedented Coral Loss Hits Great Barrier Reef
Unprecedented Coral Loss Hits Great Barrier Reef
A new report reveals the Great Barrier Reef has experienced its worst-ever coral decline, driven primarily by heat stress from climate change.
The Great Barrier Reef is facing a grim reality, as new research unveils the most significant decline in coral cover ever documented. According to the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), both the northern and southern sections of this iconic reef have endured unprecedented levels of coral bleaching, attributed mainly to climate change.
Over the past year, tropical cyclones and outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish have further exacerbated the reef's plight. However, experts from AIMS emphasize that the predominant factor behind the coral's distress is heat stress caused by rising global temperatures.
"This decrease in coral cover represents the largest annual decline recorded since our surveys began nearly four decades ago," stated AIMS during findings released following a survey of 124 reefs conducted between August 2024 and May 2025. The Great Barrier Reef, famously known as the world's largest living organism, stretches across 2,300 kilometers of vibrant and diverse underwater life, a habitat that is now under severe threat.
Coral bleaching occurs when coral becomes stressed, often turning white as a response to elevated water temperatures. While certain coral species have a natural resilience, they need substantial recovery time to bounce back from such episodes. Unfortunately, with the record-breaking heat experienced in 2024 and the early part of 2025, the reef is facing major challenges to its survival. AIMS has recorded this event as the sixth major bleaching incident since 2016.
Compounding the problem is the increased prevalence of the crown-of-thorns starfish, which feeds aggressively on coral. Since the 1960s, owing to nutrient runoff from agriculture, their population has surged. In a proactive response, an Australian government initiative has managed to cull over 50,000 of these destructive starfish with vinegar and ox bile, which has shown some promise in curbing potential outbreaks.
Richard Leck of WWF noted the dire implications of the report, stating that the reef's ecosystem is under enormous strain. He warns that without urgent and comprehensive climate action, the Great Barrier Reef might face an irreversible decline.
Currently, UNESCO recognizes the Great Barrier Reef as a World Heritage Site, but it is increasingly deemed "in danger" due to the ongoing threats of climate change and pollution. As scientists highlight the fragile state of the reef, the urgency for global awareness and immediate action to mitigate climate change has never been clearer.
