The Great Barrier Reef is in very poor shape, suggests report

According to reports, the Great Barrier Reef is not in great shape, as its long-term outlook has now dropped to very poor from its previous poor status. The cause for this is, of course, climate change, and other threats, all of which needs to be tackled urgently. All this, according to a report published by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
The report mentioned that rising sea temperatures, and marine heat waves are the main causes for the damage to the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s CEO, Josh Thomas said in a statement that this is indeed a critical point in the history of the reef.


The 400-page document clearly states that if nothing is done right now to alter the consequences suffered by the reef, it will be irreparably damaged for future generations. The report has been written after years of coral bleaching have wreaked havoc on the reefs. Moreover, it has been seen that crown-of-thorns starfish that are known to eat coral have also contributed in damaging the reefs. Out of the 31 ecosystem health markers that were assessed in the report, only 60 percent were good to very good, while the rest were poor or very poor.
Coastal development, illegal fishing, and land-based run-off from agriculture are also some other factors besides climate change that are leading to its fall.

Back in 2016, award winning environmentalist, Naomi Klein, had travelled to the Great Barrier Reef and had reported on the level of damage inflicted upon it back then. Today, the problem is even more dire, and a call to action is on the cards.