[Coral-List] GBR coral bleaching current conditions report No.2

[Gillian Goby]

Dear Coral- listers,

/The Climate Change Response Programme provides regular reports on 
conditions on the Great Barrier Reef throughout summer and publishes 
early warnings of increases in levels of stress or widespread bleaching 
of corals. The second Current Conditions Report for the summer of 
2005/06 is available on the GBRMPA website.

/*Summary report*
Based on current conditions and climate predictions for the summer of 
2005/06, *the* *threat of widespread coral bleaching 
<http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/science/climate_change/coral_bleaching.html> 
for the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) region is currently rated as moderate*. 
Regional sea temperatures in the southern GBR currently exceed (1 - 1.5 
degrees C) long-term January averages, while central and northern GBR 
waters have cooled to around average since December 2005 (ReefTemp 
<http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/science/climate_change/seatemp/#daily_update.html>). 
Temperatures at most monitoring stations show cooling in the last couple 
of weeks and are near expected for this time of year (Reef Futures 
<http://www.reeffutures.org/topics/bleach.cfm>). Additionally, regional 
sea temperatures are either at or have slightly (0.5 degrees C) exceeded 
expected summer maxima (NOAA HotSpot map). There have been a few minor 
reports of coral bleaching.

For the full current conditions report please visit the GBRMPA website 
on the link below:
http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/science/climate_change/conditions_report.html

For more information on climate change or coral bleaching please visit 
the GBRMPA website at:
http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/science/climate_change/index.html

Regards,
Gillian Goby

-- 
Gillian Goby
Climate Change Response Program
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
PO Box 1379
Townsville, Qld  4810

Ph: 07 4750 0762
Fax: 07 4772 6093

Email: g.goby at gbrmpa.gov.au

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