Monsoon cooling helps Great Barrier Reef coral cover hold steady after bleaching

The Australian Institute of Marine Science's (AIMS) annual survey of the Great Barrier Reef has found that coral cover across all three regions of the reef remained steady or increased slightly in 2026, after surviving a mass bleaching event in 2025 and a regional bleaching event in 2026. The late-summer monsoon in Australia in 2026 provided a reprieve from the coral bleaching that was unfolding, aiding the initial recovery from recent climate-induced disturbances.

While the reef faced other impacts from flooding and two tropical cyclones, most of the surveys for this report were completed before the passage of the category 5 tropical cyclone Narelle over the Northern region in March. The coral cover levels recorded over the 2025-26 field season were above or just below the long-term average, indicating limited impacts from the mass bleaching event.

AIMS Long-Term Monitoring Program leader Dr. Mike Emslie stated that coral cover levels increased modestly or remained stable on many reefs, and substantial declines were uncommon. Despite the challenges faced by the reef, the report highlights the resilience of the Great Barrier Reef and the importance of long-term monitoring in understanding its status and informing management decisions.