The new AIMS annual survey is in with the shocking result that not only was last year a record, but this year is even better. There is more coral cover on the Great Barrier Reef than ever recorded. We’ve had four bleaching events in the last seven years, and record hottest ever heat, the highest CO2 levels recorded since we invented ways to record CO2, and yet, despite all that, the reef is thriving.

AIMS, Coral Reef Survey

AIMS, Coral Reef Survey

In 36 years of measuring coral cover on the reef, it’s never been better.

Record coral cover for Great Barrier Reef: Australian Institute of Marine Science

Graham Lloyd, The Australian

The Great Barrier Reef has set a new record for hard coral cover over two-thirds of its 2300km length, results of the Australian Institute of Marine Science official long-term monitoring program show.

AIMS program leader Mike Emslie said the results were “good news” and showed that the Reef had “dodged a bullet” in bleaching this year.

“But the fact we have had four bleaching events in seven years is a major concern and highlights […]