Record heat over Great Barrier Reef raises fears of second summer of coral bleaching

This does not bode well,' reef scientist says, as highest November temperatures reached since 1985

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Ocean temperatures over parts of the Great Barrier Reef have reached record levels this month, sparking fears of a second summer in a row of mass coral bleaching.

Data from the US government's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) shows sea surface temperatures over the northern parts of the reef have been the highest for any November on a record going back to 1985.