MAGNETIC ISLAND CORAL BLEACHING EVENT. FEBRUARY 2020.

This video is about a major coral bleaching event on Magnetic Island which began in early February 2020. A major event was forecast for the inner N Great Barrier Reef as ocean temperature was 30+ degrees c for several weeks. By 16-17 Feb, bleaching was very severe along the snorkel trail and Moltke ship wreck in Geoffrey Bay. The well known bommies (Porites), 2-3 m in diameter and many decades old, were moderately to severely bleached. Some parts were dying, with sloughing dead coral tissue. This video may be reposted with acknowledgement.

[@lozdives4066]

Great video Leon, I dived Geoffrey and Alma on Sunday and was shocked by the level of bleaching and coral mortality. It’s heartbreaking. You should share this on the Magnetic Island locals facebook page, shocks me how many locals have no idea of the extent to which this is occurring around the island (and across the GBR) and think this is just usual “seasonal bleaching”.

[@leonzann5962]

Hi, thanks. I just saw your before and after. Yes, its serious , and many other parts of the GBR are bleaching. Even the offshore Coral Sea reefs. I'm in Florida now, and can't monitor my sites, but will see when/if I get back. regards

[@FLACCoal]

What a tragedy Leon. I hope that TEL and TCC are made aware of this. Wendy Tubman

[@oliverstratton2231]

Great video Leon, well done.

[@gypsydalliston3676]

Heart Breaking.

[@LoseWeightTips]

Some are saying that this is caused by dredge dumping. Could that be a contributor?

[@leonzann5962]

No. Bleaching is also beginning in many other parts of the Great Barrier Reef (not subject to dredge dumping). It was predicted by the US NOAA which monitors world ocean temps. There is a 'marine heat wave' (ocean temp around the island is now 32 degrees C (and hotter in the shallows). It is almost certainly climate-change related.

[@LoseWeightTips]

@@leonzann5962 Thank you for your reply.

[@leonzann5962]

@@LoseWeightTips On further reflection, maybe the dredging has placed some background stress on Magnetic Island corals, making them more susceptible to temperature bleaching. The Arthur Bay reef is less affected by dredging and the terrestrial runoff from Townsville. But the major stress is certainly the hot ocean mass.

[@LoseWeightTips]

@@leonzann5962 Thanks for that Leon

[@leonzann84]

Great video. Fantastic name.