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".

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.

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.

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