====================  Bleaching Report  ==================

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******* Bleaching at Heron Island, GBR, Australia ********
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Report from:  Dr. Anya Salih
              University of Sydney

Date:         26 February 2002


Field observations were conducted between 18 and 30 Jan 2002 
at Heron Island area in Great Barrier Reef, Australia. The 
water depth in the survey area is 1 to 10 meters. Coral
bleaching was observed with about 7% of corals bleached. 
Observed maximum water temperture was 28.2 deg C.

"Bleaching was most extensive at intermediate depths of the upper 
slope, at 3-6m, compared to shallower upper slope and reef flat. 
Acropora cervicorn was most severely affected, followed by 
A. nobilis, A. formosa, A. yongei, A. abrolhosensis." 

"Partial bleaching of corals was observed in the intertidal lagoon. 
A. palifera, A. millepora, and several montiporiids were affected.

"Bleaching of other corals was rare. 

"Extensive turbidity was observed during the bleaching event which 
was not observed at near-by One tree Island where bleaching was 
minimal.

"Algal blooms were extensive in patches of staghorn acroporids 
0.5-2m depth at upper slope. These were severely bleached in 1998.

"Bleaching was in 'recovery' phase, i.e. Bleached colonies were 
recovering their color, measured photosynthetic yeilds were 
reduced compared to unbleached corals, but were not as low as in 
bleached corals (Fv/Fm 0.4-0.65)."

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Alan E. Strong
NOAA's Coral Reef Watch Project
NOAA/NESDIS

26 February 2002