Reef Health update – week ending 27 January 2023

Conditions have been mostly favourable across the Marine Park this week, with temperatures close to average for the end of January.
Monsoon conditions have eased over Northern Australia in the past week, however recent flooding has caused flood plumes to enter the Marine Park, particularly in the Cape York, Mackay and Whitsundays regions.
Temperature and rainfall

Sea temperatures have remained near or just above average across the Marine Park and are expected to remain so for the coming week.
Monsoon conditions will return next week with average rainfall forecast across most of the Marine Park, and heavy falls expected across the Cape York region.
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting above average sea surface temperatures for the remainder of summer, but with a low probability of exceeding those averages by more than 1°C. Temperatures have been slightly higher in some offshore locations.
Reef health

Mostly minor bleaching was reported in surveys conducted across the northern and central Reef, while isolated physical damage and minor coral disease were reported on a low number of reefs in the central and southern regions.
Crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) outbreaks remain the most severe in the Reef’s central and southern regions.
Reef management

As summer progresses, the Reef Authority continues to closely monitor forecast conditions and near real-time climate and weather observations, as well as collating in-water reports to build a current picture of Reef health. Preparations are in place for aerial surveys should they be required.
We are continuing to work with our partners to protect and strengthen the resilience of the Reef through our management actions, including controlling the coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish and deterring illegal fishing.
You can do your bit to help by reporting what you’re seeing out in the Marine Park through our Eye on the Reef app. Reports of healthy coral are just as important as reports of bleached or diseased coral.
Our next Reef health update will be released on Friday 3 February 2023.