410K views · 1.4K reactions | As one of the world’s most diverse ocean habitats, the Great Barrier Reef is home to remarkable marine life.  | Australia.com | Facebook

53K views · 878 reactions |  Sneak peek – Reef Light at Cairns...

Did you know freshwater can cause coral bleaching? Corals are sensitive creatures, and they like the conditions out on the Reef to be just right. This includes conditions like the right temperature and the right salinity, or salt content, in the water. When heavy rains push large amounts of freshwater onto the Reef, this can lower the salinity suddenly. This drop in salinity can stress out corals which can lead to coral bleaching. Watch our Chief Scientist Roger Beeden explain freshwater coral b

Reef Health Update | 29 January 2026 Sea surface temperatures remain relatively stable across the Marine Park and slightly above the long-term average for this time of year. We’ve moved some of our crown-of-thorns starfish control vessels north to respond early to a new outbreak, while keeping control efforts underway in the central and southern Reefs to protect coral cover. High rainfall across Reef catchment areas during January has contributed to some cooling of sea surface temperatures with

The Great Barrier Reef is undergoing a major coral bleaching event for the second year in a row. | National Geographic