SYDNEY – Australian scientists managing the Great Barrier
Reef have lifted their emergency response to the highest level following the
publication of video footage of damage caused by coral bleaching.

Authorities this month said that areas of the World
Heritage site were experiencing the worst bleaching in 15 years, at least
partially as a result of the current El Nino, one of the strongest in two
decades.

Coral bleaching is a process by which coral expels living
algae, causing it to calcify. Coral can only survive within a narrow band of
ocean temperature.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority on Sunday
said it was lifting its response to level three, authority chairman Dr Russell
Reichelt said.

“A level-three response level means we’re stepping up
surveys in response to the coral mortality to help us better understand the
effects of various pressures on the reef and help guide management actions,”
Reichelt said in a statement.

The footage, shot on Saturday by the University of
Queensland’s CoralWatch group, has raised serious concerns amongst scientists
and environmental groups about the growing impact of climate change.

“The new video and stills are very concerning and
show large sections of coral drained of all colour and fighting for
survival,” World Wildlife Fund spokesman Richard Leck said in a statement.

“This is the worst coral bleaching event ever to hit
this most pristine part of the Great Barrier Reef.”

Scientists said the Great Barrier Reef needs a break in El
Nino conditions within weeks if some coral areas are to survive, but the
Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s most recent forecast calls for a continuation
of El Nino conditions.

This year will be the hottest on record and 2016 could be
even hotter due to El Nino, the World Meteorological Organization has said.

The Great Barrier Reef stretches 2,000 kilometres along
Australia’s northeast coast and is the world’s largest living ecosystem. It
brings in billions of dollars a year in tourism revenue.

UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee last May stopped short
of placing the Great Barrier Reef on an “in danger” list, but the
ruling raised long-term concerns about its future.

– Reuters