The Great Barrier Reef has suffered its most widespread coral bleaching since monitoring began in 1986, driven by record ocean heat in 2024, a new Australian government report has confirmed.

Scientists from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) found severe bleaching across the reef, with coral cover in the southern region falling by nearly a third. The damage, largely caused by climate change, marks the biggest annual decline in nearly 40 years, according to Al Jazeera.

AIMS CEO Professor Selina Stead said bleaching events are becoming more frequent and severe, stressing the need for urgent emissions cuts and stronger reef management.

Despite global concerns, Australia continues to resist listing the reef as “in danger” while remaining a major fossil fuel exporter, Al Jazeera reported.