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Australia’s reefs follow trend of global coral cover decline

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31 August 2026

Australia’s coral reefs are in relatively good condition compared to coral reefs globally, although coral cover on our reefs has declined in the past 40 years - reflecting the global trend, a major new report has found.

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Relief for recovering Reef as monsoon cools waters

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11 August 2026

A late summer monsoon in 2026 brought the Great Barrier Reef a reprieve from unfolding coral bleaching, aiding its initial recovery from recent climate-induced disturbances, according to the Australian Institute of Marine Science’s (AIMS) annual survey report on the ecosystem.

Underwater view of a coral reef during a manta tow survey. A swimmer towed across the reef is visible near the surface, while table and branching corals cover the reef below, documenting reef condition and coral cover.
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Fair or foul, for 40 years our scientists have been monitoring the Reef

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08 July 2026

Many people dream of being a marine biologist working on the Great Barrier Reef, but what’s it really like?

Three marine biologists share their experiences working in the Long-Term Monitoring Program (LTMP), which turns 40 this year and is one of the world’s longest, continuous reef monitoring datasets.

Marine scientist portrait composite
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World’s largest, longest continuous reef monitoring dataset turns 40

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01 July 2026

In 2026, the AIMS Long-term Monitoring Program marks 40 years of continuously monitoring the Great Barrier Reef.

SCUBA diver filming manta tow
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Great Barrier Reef more volatile with sharp declines in coral cover

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06 August 2025
Minor bleaching of Acropora coral on Great Barrier Reef
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New global role for coral researcher following departure of long-term AIMS science leader

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30 June 2025
Dr Britta Schaffelke and Dr Manuel Gonzalez Rivero at AIMS SeaSim
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Initial Great Barrier Reef monitoring results show coral mortality in north due to bleaching and cyclones

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19 November 2024

New data from the Australian Institute of Marine Science’s (AIMS) in-water surveys show coral cover has declined on 12 of 19 reefs surveyed between Lizard Island and Cardwell following a summer of disturb

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High coral cover amid intense heatwaves and bleaching? Here's how both can be true on the Great Barrier Reef

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07 August 2024

Has this summer’s bleaching killed many corals on the Barrier Reef – or will they recover? The answer is – we don’t know yet.

A scuba diver swims over a bleached reef
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New report on Great Barrier Reef shows coral cover increases before onset of serious bleaching, cyclones

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07 August 2024

Coral cover has increased in all three regions on the Great Barrier Reef and is at regional highs in two of the three regions. But the results come with a note of caution.

a low aerial photo of a reef flat at high tide dropping off to deeper water on the right of the photo. A small orange boat with a person in it is over the deeper blue water.
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Drones offer new perspective on vulnerable tide-exposed coral reefs

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03 June 2024

A new study has used drone technology and cutting-edge analytical methods for the first time to map the intertidal coral reefs of the Rowley Shoals off the Kimberley coast of Western Australia.

Aerial of intertidal areas at low tide where coral reef is exposed amongst pools of sea