Date: Thu, 02 Apr 1998 11:09:00 +1000
From: KATHARINA FABRICIUS <K.FABRICIUS@email.aims.gov.au>
To: coral-list@aoml.noaa.gov
Subject: extensive bleaching of soft corals on near-shore reefs of the  GBR


Dear coral listers,

In response to Goetz Reinicke's question: Soft corals have experienced
extensive bleaching on the near-shore reefs of the central Great Barrier
Reef. Affected are almost all zooxanthellate orders and families (Briareum
is one exception), but the taxa show varying degree of susceptibility. Many
near-shore areas are 100% bleached within the upper 5 m, and ~ 20% bleaching
is still observed at 8 - 12 m depth. The rate of mortality is high even
among otherwise very persistant alcyonacean taxa (such as Sinularia). We are
about to conduct a 2-weeks AIMS survey to determine the extent of bleaching
on the central GBR, as well as species-specific and habitat-specific
susceptibility in soft corals to bleaching. Results should be available 
in a
month time.

Regards,

Katharina Fabricius