Great Barrier Reef outlook now 'very poor', Australian government review says

Five-yearly report says climate change is escalating the threat and window of opportunity for action is now

The outlook for the Great Barrier Reef has deteriorated from poor to very poor according to an exhaustive government report that warns the window of opportunity to improve the natural wonder's future "is now".

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's outlook report, published every five years, finds coral reefs have declined to a very poor condition and there is widespread habitat loss and degradation affecting fish, turtles and seabirds.

It warns the plight of the reef will not improve unless there is urgent national and global action to address the climate crisis, which it described as its greatest threat.

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