Following the news that parts of the Great Barrier Reef have experienced the worst coral bleaching on record there is concern that some superyachts might be put off visiting the region. However, Superyacht Australia is keen to stress that bleaching is caused by prolonged exposure to heat stress, as the result of global warming and El Niño, rather than the presence of superyachts.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) confirmed to Superyacht Australia at the recent ASMEX conference (May 17/18) that, “superyachts cruising the Great Barrier Reef are not in any way causing coral bleaching”.