Coral Bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef

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Coral bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef is currently a major problem whose scale is constantly increasing. The problem impacts the ecosystem, tourism, fisheries, communities and pharmaceuticals (“Bleaching Impacts”, 2018) and although the Government is trying to implement solutions there remains more that can be done. There are challenges associated with resolving this issue but ultimately the outcome will be worth the trouble.

The Problem and its affects

The scale of coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef continues to grow as water temperatures continue to rise. It is believed that 60% of the reef is currently affected by bleaching and the total mortality rate is 22% which is incredibly significant (“Coral Bleaching Events”, 2016). Bleaching appears to be most severe in the Northern areas of the reef with up to 90% of coral being bleached in some areas, this figure steadily decreases in the Southern areas to a low of 10% (“Bleaching Impacts”, 2018). As for evidence to accompany these figures, it can be observed visually as bleached coral can very easily be observed due to its distinct white colour as oppose to the usually bright colours.

There are large negative impacts on industries such as tourism, fisheries and pharmaceuticals. Due to loss of aesthetic appeal, the reef will experience a decrease in tourism which will negatively affect surrounding communities that rely on tourism as a source of sustainable income (“Bleaching Impacts”, 2018). Local communities and fisheries are massively affected due to decreased fish yields, many local communities rely on fish for food and general livelihood and fisheries will experience lower overall yields which may increase the price of fish nation-wide (“Bleaching Impacts”, 2018). Pharmaceutical companies lose a major source of medical compounds, this may slow research efforts and increase the price of certain medications (“Bleaching Impacts”, 2018).

As well as socioeconomic impacts there many natural impacts attributed to coral bleaching. Healthy coral has a symbiotic relationship with a species of algae which provide 90% of the corals energy requirements, increases in water temperature disturbs this relationship drastically effecting the coral (“Managing the Reef”, 2013). The coral subsequently starves and bleaches in the absence of the algae, bleached coral is more susceptible to disease and have decreased growth and production which greatly increases the mortality rate (“Managing the Reef”, 2013). The degradation of the coral for many species means losing a source of food and shelter which results in decreased populations of many species, which then results in a decrease in genetic diversity and reef composition (“Bleaching Impacts”, 2018).

What needs to change

The Australian Government is currently implementing measures in an attempt to reduce coral bleaching rates, but the effectiveness of these measures is unknown. The Australian Government provides $200 million in funding annually (“Managing and Protecting the Reef”, 2015) but this figure has recently jumped quite considerably due to the development of the Reef Trust which has provided $700 million in funding (“The Reef Trust”, 2018). The main goal of the Reef Trust is to assist the reef long-term sustainability plan which is addressing issues such as coral bleaching. The sustainability plan aims to resolve major problems within the reef by 2050 by working with scientists, industry and communities in an attempt to increase water quality and to develop reef resilience against changing climates (“Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan”, 2018).

Although the current sustainability plan appears to be a step in the right direction, it may too little too late as the scale of coral bleaching continues to rise. Rather than a 2050 sustainability goal the measures to be implemented should be more immediate and global rather than nation-wide. This would maximise the chance of coral reef repairing themselves as the measures would be immediate and more widespread.

Effectiveness of proposed solutions

The effectiveness of current measures is yet to be seen as the sustainability plan only began in 2015 but it can be assumed that the plan will be effective. Based on previous research decreasing the water temperature to natural temperatures has been shown to restore the symbiotic relationship between coral and algae which allowed for the coral to repair (“Managing the Reef”, 2013). Hence, if the sustainability plan completes its goal then it can be assumed that the coral reefs will repair themselves.

Effect of proposed solutions

The impact the described solutions will have on society and the environment as a whole is massive in the short and long-term. The repairing of the Great Barrier Reef’s coral reefs will result a greater number of fish species being present due to having a restored food and shelter source. An increased population of fish will allow for communities and fisheries to have a much larger yield of fish from the reef, this will help sustain dependent communities and help Australia as a larger fish yield subsequently results in cheaper seafood prices. The tourism industry could be restored due to the renewed aesthetic appeal of the reef, this will boost the local and state economy which has large benefits for society. The medical industry will be greatly impacted as their source of pharmaceutical compounds will drastically increase. The ecosystem will be largely benefitted, the restoration of the coral reefs will decrease mortality of coral, increase biodiversity of many species and the reef as a whole will become a richer environment.

Risks and challenges to overcome

Challenges and risks include opposition from industries and the sustainability plan being too slow. The proposed solutions are likely to be met with opposition from industries whose profits may decrease due to the proposed changes. Although this is a challenge it can be overcome by pushing the solutions as ultimately the positives will vastly outweigh the negatives. Because the problem is already so widespread a 2050 plan may be a problem as the coral reefs may be irreparable by the time the sustainability plan begins to work. This large problem can be overcome by implementing change at a much faster rate which will decrease the effect on the reefs and subsequently increase the chance of the reefs repairing.

Success metrics of proposed solutions

The success of the measures can be measured and proven relatively easily, if the solutions are effective the result will be observable, indicated by a very blatant change in colour of the coral. To find more precise data on the effectiveness of the measures data can be taken from specific areas overtime, this will provide an overview of the repairing process of the coral and hence a more accurate assessment of the effectiveness can be taken.

Vision statement

The vision of change is a community which works cooperatively together to sustain its most precious natural landmark ensuring that measures are constantly taken to ensure the optimal health of the reef.

References

"Managing and protecting the Great Barrier Reef". Department of the Environment and Energy. Australian Government. 2015. Retrieved September 7, 2018.

"The Reef Trust". Department of the Environment and Energy. Australian Government. 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2018.

"Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan". Department of the Environment and Energy. Australian Government. 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2018.

"Bleaching Impacts". Coral Reef Module. Reef Resilience Network. 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2018.

"Coral Bleaching Events". Australian Institute of Marine Science. Australian Government. 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2018.

"Managing the Reef". Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Australian Government. 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2018.

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