Great Barrier Reef stages a stunning comeback nobody predicted
Marine biologists say coral cover has jumped to levels not seen in 36 years.
For a decade the story of the Great Barrier Reef has been one of loss. This week, that story flipped. New surveys covering more than 300 individual reefs show hard coral cover at record highs across two-thirds of the system.
"We were not expecting numbers like this," said lead researcher Dr. Marina Osei. "Nature, when given even a small window, is astonishingly resilient."
Cautious optimism
Scientists warn the comeback is fragile. A single hot summer could reverse years of recovery. Still, the data has energised conservation groups who had begun to fear the worst.
Tourism operators along the Queensland coast are already reporting a surge in bookings. "People want to see it while it is thriving," said one Cairns skipper. "We've been fully booked for three weekends straight."
The federal government is expected to announce an expanded protection package within days.
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