Reef Health Update | November 2024

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a warm 2024–25 summer season as a result ongoing high sea surface temperatures.?The Bureau, together with CSIRO, recently released the latest State of the Climate 2024 report, which looks at long-term climate trends in Australia.?

The report found:

• Sea surface temperatures, ocean heat content, and acidification in the Marine Park have all been rising in recent decades.
• Since 1900, sea surface temperatures have increased by 1.08°C, contributing to more frequent extreme heat events, both on land and in the ocean.
• The world's oceans have absorbed over 90 per cent of the extra energy from greenhouse gases.

The report highlights the importance of the work we do to build the resilience on the Great Barrier Reef, including programs such as the Crown-of-thorns starfish Control Program which is doing critical work to reduce outbreaks of the starfish to protect coral cover.

On a positive note, it’s coral spawning season — a time of regeneration for the Reef, as spawning corals pass on heat-tolerant genes, helping the Reef adapt to warmer waters.

October conditions

During October, sea surface temperatures were about 0.5°C above average across the Marine Park.

Rainfall was slightly below average across Queensland, with low chances of extreme rain in November.

A total of 497 Reef Health Impact Surveys were conducted across 41 reefs in the Marine Park, showing minor coral bleaching in some areas, likely linked to earlier mass bleaching this year. Coral recovery and mortality remains varied across the Reef.

There were no reports of disease or physical damage (such as that caused by anchors) during these surveys.

Crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks continue to be an issue at some reefs, particularly in areas like Swain Reefs and offshore Port Douglas, and isolated outbreaks are ongoing on several reefs offshore Townsville and the Whitsundays.

During coral spawning, the focus of the Crown-of-thorns starfish control program is to reduce starfish populations to protect the Reef's recovery.

Reef management

With summer approaching, the Reef is more vulnerable to extreme weather like cyclones and heatwaves.

We’re working closely with partners including the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service through the Reef Joint Field Management Program, as well as the tourism industry and scientific organisations such as the Australian Institute of Marine Science to monitor the Reef 24/7.

Over the past month, we've been working with the tourism industry, running Eye on the Reef training which teaches operators how to gather important data on Reef health, which we use year-round to monitor conditions.

The training will continue this month, including training a new cohort of Master Reef Guides.?

Our year-round management actions are geared towards building and supporting Reef resilience, including enforcing compliance with the Reef’s zoning plan and ensuring people are enjoying the Reef in a responsible way.

Stay up-to-date with what’s happening across the Reef by following our social channels and downloading the Eye of the reef app to let us know what you see in the Marine Park.

For more information, visit our website.

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