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JCU drones reveals mass coral death in Far North

July 11, 2025 9:02 am in by
This underwater photo taken on April 4, 2024, shows fish swimming near bleached coral around Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef, located 270 kilometres (167 miles) north of the city of Cairns. Australia's famed Great Barrier Reef is teetering on the brink, suffering one of the most severe coral bleaching events on record -- the fifth in eight years -- and leaving scientists unsure about its survival. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP) / To go with Australia-Climate-Conversation-Reef by Laura CHUNG (Photo by DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images)

James Cook University scientists have revealed coral bleaching at Lizard Island has hit record levels.

Using high-resolution drones, scientists from James Cook and Griffith universities found 96% of coral was affected, and 92% died, following mass bleaching events in 2024.

Associate Professor Karen Joyce of Remote Sensing at James Cook University says climate change is making recovery harder following catastrophic bleaching events.

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She’s warning that rising ocean temperatures are giving reefs little hope of long-term survival with more frequent, severe events predicted for the years ahead.

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