[Coral-List] GBRMPA Current Conditions Report (3)

[Gillian Goby]

Dear All,

*Current Conditions Report*
/This report is compiled by the Climate Change Response Programme of the 
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. 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. This is the third 
Current Conditions Report for the summer of 2005/06/. 

*Updated 6 February 2006 *

*Summary *
Based on current conditions and climate predictions for the summer of 
2005/06, the threat of widespread coral bleaching for the Great Barrier 
Reef (GBR) region is currently rated as moderate. Sea temperatures in 
the southern GBR have remained significantly warmer than average (+ 0.5 
- 2.5 degrees C) since December 2005 (ReefTemp), and are now exceeding 
the long-term summer maxima by up to 2 degrees C  (NOAA HotSpot map). In 
contrast, recent heavy cloud cover and rain over northern parts of the 
GBR has kept temperatures close to average conditions for this region 
(Reef Futures). Central GBR waters have shown a warming tendency in 
recent weeks, with sea surface temperatures currently exceeding the 
January long-term average by 0.5 - 1.5 degrees C (ReefTemp). Consistent 
with these temperature patterns, reports of severe coral bleaching have 
now been confirmed for some reefs in the southern region, with minor 
levels of bleaching in parts of the central GBR.

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_

The GBRMPA Coral Bleaching Response Plan has been implemented, and with 
a moderate bleaching risk still existent for this summer, and with the 
bleaching risk period far from over we are heavily relying on 
BleachWatch participants and others to help us detect and report any 
bleaching that might occur on the GBR .

For more information on climate change, BleachWatch 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


-- 
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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