‘Devastating’: 91% of reefs surveyed on Great Barrier Reef affected by coral bleaching in 2022

Report reveals extent of sixth mass bleaching event with worst-affected reefs between Cape Tribulation and Whitsundays

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Get our free news app; get our morning email briefing

Coral bleaching affected 91% of reefs surveyed along the Great Barrier Reef this year, according to a report by government scientists that confirms the natural landmark has suffered its sixth mass bleaching event on record.

The Reef snapshot: summer 2021-22, quietly published by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority on Tuesday night after weeks of delay, said above-average water temperatures in late summer had caused coral bleaching throughout the 2,300km reef system, but particularly in the central region between Cape Tribulation and the Whitsundays.

Sign up to receive an email with the top stories from Guardian Australia every morning