Some Great Barrier Reef coral suffering lasting effects from mass bleaching events

Several reefs have not recovered from back-to-back bleaching, surveys have found, but others remain in good condition

Coral reefs in the far north of the Great Barrier Reef are showing lasting effects from the mass bleaching of 2016 and 2017 and in some cases their health has declined further, according to fresh surveys by the Australian Institute of Marine Science.

Preliminary results of surveys by Aims scientists in January show several reefs have not recovered from the back-to-back bleaching, although the agency said some reefs they surveyed were in good condition.