A UNESCO heritage committee of scientific advisors has recommended that Australia's Great Barrier Reef be not placed on a list of world heritage sites that are in "danger".

A UNESCO heritage committee of scientific advisors has recommended that Australia's Great Barrier Reef be not placed on a list of world heritage sites that are in "danger". The committee, however, stressed that the 2,300-kilometre (1,243-mile) network of corals, the biggest in the world, remains under 'serious threat' from global heating and water pollution. The committee's decision might come as a relief for Australia which has been lobbying for years to keep the reef off the endangered list as it could lead to losing its heritage status - thereby heavily affecting the tourism business. Notably, the reef contributes over $4 billion to the Australian economy and supports some 64,000 jobs. Prior to COVID-19, over two million tourists visited the reef, located off Australia's northeast coast every year. PM Albanese acknowledges more need to be done "The draft decision cites 'significant progress' being made on climate change, water quality, and sustainable fishing – all putting the reef on a stronger and more sustainable path," said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, reflecting on UNESCO's decision. Albanese, however, acknowledged that the decision did not put the reef or its future "in the clear". Albanese, who leads the centre-left Labor government in Canberra, said more steps were needed to maintain the status quo. His government has already pledged over $800 million to protect the reef, withdrawn funding for dams and denied permission to a coal mine that could have potentially affected the reef's water quality. It was last year in November that UNESCO suggested that the reef should be put on the danger list after frequent incidents of coral bleaching. Bleaching happens when the water warms too much, causing corals to expel the colourful algae living in their tissues and turn white. Also read | Fish in Australia's Great Barrier Reef are 'fading' in colour Experts argue that the olive branch extended by the UN committee is an opportunity for Australia to step up and perform its duty to save the reef. "UNESCO has kept the Australian and Queensland governments on probation. There's an opportunity for Australia to lift its game before it is required to provide a progress report...next year," said WWF-Australia Head of Oceans Richard Leck. Watch | UN lists great barrier reef 'in danger'| WION Climate Tracker × Leck was referring to the progress report that the UN panel has asked the Australian government to submit by February 2024 to show the developments it had undertaken to preserve the delicate ecosystem of the reef. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Relief for Australia as Great Barrier Reef stays off UNESCO danger list

Australia on Friday declared that the Great Barrier Reef is suffering "mass bleaching" as corals lose their colour under the stress of warmer seas.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority said in a weekly update most of the marine park had been hit by "significant heat stress" over the summer, with water temperatures in some areas as much as 2-4 degrees Celsius above average.

"Bleaching has been detected across the Marine Park,&nbsp;it is widespread but variable, across multiple regions, ranging in impact from minor to severe," the agency said in an update on its website.

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Aerial surveys showed whole colonies of coral had been bleached white in several locations, and in some sections there were reports of corals dying, it said.

"Corals across the Marine Park remain vulnerable to the ongoing elevated temperatures," the authority said.

The Great Barrier Reef, home to some 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of mollusc, was suffering despite the cooling effect of the La Nina weather phenomenon, which is currently influencing Australia's climate, the authority said.

The area, which comprises about 2,500 individual reefs and more than 900 islands, suffers from bleaching when corals expel algae living in their tissues, draining them of their vibrant colours.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/fish-in-australias-great-barrier-reef-are-fading-in-colour-465124">Also read |&nbsp;Fish in Australia's Great Barrier Reef are 'fading' in colour</a>

Though bleached corals are under stress, they can still recover if conditions become more moderate, the Reef Authority said.

"Weather patterns over the next couple of weeks continue to remain critical in determining the overall extent and severity of coral bleaching across the Marine Park," it said.

The mass bleaching report emerged four days after the United Nations began a monitoring mission to assess whether the World Heritage site is being protected from climate change.

The environmental group Greenpeace said the severe and widespread coral bleaching suffered during a La Niña weather pattern that is associated with cooler Pacific Ocean temperatures was evidence of the Australian government’s failure to protect the coral from the impacts of climate change.

“This is a sure sign that climate change caused by burning coal, oil and gas is threatening the very existence of our reef,” Greenpeace Australia Pacific Climate Impacts Campaigner Martin Zavan said in a statement.

In July last year, Australia garnered enough international support to defer an attempt by UNESCO, the United Nations’ cultural organization, to downgrade the reef’s World Heritage status to “in danger“ because of damage caused by climate change.

(With inputs from agencies)

Australia on Friday declared that the Great Barrier Reef is suffering "mass bleaching" as corals lose their colour under the stress of warmer seas. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority said in a weekly update most of the marine park had been hit by "significant heat stress" over the summer, with water temperatures in some areas as much as 2-4 degrees Celsius above average.

Australia on Friday declared that the Great Barrier Reef is suffering "mass bleaching" as corals lose their colour under the stress of warmer seas. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority said in a weekly update most of the marine park had been hit by "significant heat stress" over the summer, with water temperatures in some areas as much as 2-4 degrees Celsius above average. "Bleaching has been detected across the Marine Park, it is widespread but variable, across multiple regions, ranging in impact from minor to severe," the agency said in an update on its website. Aerial surveys showed whole colonies of coral had been bleached white in several locations, and in some sections there were reports of corals dying, it said. "Corals across the Marine Park remain vulnerable to the ongoing elevated temperatures," the authority said. The Great Barrier Reef, home to some 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of mollusc, was suffering despite the cooling effect of the La Nina weather phenomenon, which is currently influencing Australia's climate, the authority said. The area, which comprises about 2,500 individual reefs and more than 900 islands, suffers from bleaching when corals expel algae living in their tissues, draining them of their vibrant colours. Also read | Fish in Australia's Great Barrier Reef are 'fading' in colour Though bleached corals are under stress, they can still recover if conditions become more moderate, the Reef Authority said. "Weather patterns over the next couple of weeks continue to remain critical in determining the overall extent and severity of coral bleaching across the Marine Park," it said. The mass bleaching report emerged four days after the United Nations began a monitoring mission to assess whether the World Heritage site is being protected from climate change. The environmental group Greenpeace said the severe and widespread coral bleaching suffered during a La Niña weather pattern that is associated with cooler Pacific Ocean temperatures was evidence of the Australian government’s failure to protect the coral from the impacts of climate change. “This is a sure sign that climate change caused by burning coal, oil and gas is threatening the very existence of our reef,” Greenpeace Australia Pacific Climate Impacts Campaigner Martin Zavan said in a statement. In July last year, Australia garnered enough international support to defer an attempt by UNESCO, the United Nations’ cultural organization, to downgrade the reef’s World Heritage status to “in danger“ because of damage caused by climate change. (With inputs from agencies)

Australia's Great Barrier Reef suffers sixth mass bleaching event

The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Queensland has simultaneously released sperm and eggs in its annual coral spawn.

Comprised of more than 3,000 individual reefs, it stretches for over 2,300 km.

The ecosystem supports 65,000 jobs in reef tourism. Globally, hundreds of millions of people depend on the survival of coral reefs for their livelihoods and food security.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-spread-of-protest-in-solomon-islands-australia-to-deploy-military-431949" hreflang="en">After spread of protest in Solomon Islands, Australia to deploy military</a>

Bleaching is a stress response by overheated corals during heat waves, where they lose their colour and many struggles to survive.&nbsp;

According to Australian marine biologist Gareth Phillips, ''Nothing makes people happier than new life -- and coral spawning is the world's biggest proof of that.''

''It's a strong demonstration that its ecological functions are intact and working after being in a recovery phase for more than 18 months,'' he added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/research-reveals-only-2-of-australias-great-barrier-reef-escaped-bleaching-426886" hreflang="en">Research reveals only 2% of Australia's Great Barrier Reef escaped bleaching</a>

Earlier, a study by James Cook University in Australia's Queensland state found coral bleaching has affected 98 percent of Australia's Great Barrier Reef since 1998.

The Great Barrier Reef has suffered three mass bleaching events during heatwaves in 2016, 2017, and 2020, leaving many affected corals struggling to survive.

The reef is also susceptible to harm from cyclones and outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish, which eat the coral, with both factors becoming more damaging due to climate change.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Queensland has simultaneously released sperm and eggs in its annual coral spawn. Comprised of more than 3,000 individual reefs, it stretches for over 2,300 km.

The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Queensland has simultaneously released sperm and eggs in its annual coral spawn. Comprised of more than 3,000 individual reefs, it stretches for over 2,300 km. The ecosystem supports 65,000 jobs in reef tourism. Globally, hundreds of millions of people depend on the survival of coral reefs for their livelihoods and food security. Also read | After spread of protest in Solomon Islands, Australia to deploy military Bleaching is a stress response by overheated corals during heat waves, where they lose their colour and many struggles to survive. According to Australian marine biologist Gareth Phillips, ''Nothing makes people happier than new life -- and coral spawning is the world's biggest proof of that.'' ''It's a strong demonstration that its ecological functions are intact and working after being in a recovery phase for more than 18 months,'' he added. Also read | Research reveals only 2% of Australia's Great Barrier Reef escaped bleaching Earlier, a study by James Cook University in Australia's Queensland state found coral bleaching has affected 98 percent of Australia's Great Barrier Reef since 1998. The Great Barrier Reef has suffered three mass bleaching events during heatwaves in 2016, 2017, and 2020, leaving many affected corals struggling to survive. The reef is also susceptible to harm from cyclones and outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish, which eat the coral, with both factors becoming more damaging due to climate change. (With inputs from agencies)

Great Barrier Reef simultaneously releases sperm and eggs

Australian Great Barrier Reef experts agreed on Friday (December 4) that the government needs to step up in protecting the world's most extensive and spectacular coral reef ecosystem, as an international conservation group also said it was in a critical state as a result of climate change.

Australia's Great Barrier Reef outlook worsens, environmentalists blame government