Fifth mass coral bleaching event in eight years hits Great Barrier Reef, marine park authority confirms

Particular concern raised for southern areas of the reef that have not been badly bleached since 2016 with ‘high risk’ of significant coral death

• Lord Howe island faces ‘major’ coral bleaching as ocean temperatures continue to break records

The Great Barrier Reef is in the grip of a mass coral bleaching event driven by global heating – the fifth in only eight years – the marine park’s government authority has confirmed.

The authority, together with scientists from the Australian Institute of Marine Science, have completed aerial surveys across 300 reefs over two thirds of the reef, with more to come.