Reef health update | 07 May 2026

Sea surface temperatures continued to ease across the Marine Park this week.

Queensland’s wet season has also come to an end, ranking as the 9th wettest on record since 1900, with most Marine Park catchments receiving above-average rainfall.

Climate conditions remain neutral, however, sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn) are warming. Current Bureau of Meteorology outlooks indicate a possible El Niño developing by late winter, which could bring drier conditions to Northern Queensland in the months ahead.

Temperature

Sea surface temperatures declined slightly, dropping by 0.3–0.6°C across the Marine Park.

Over the coming month, temperatures are expected to sit close to average, although some offshore reefs in the Far Northern and Northern regions may remain slightly above average (up to 0.8°C).

Rainfall

With the start of the dry season, rainfall was below average across most catchments, with totals generally below 25mm. The Wet Tropics was the exception, receiving up to 150mm.

Looking ahead, forecasts suggest a low chance of above-average rainfall across the Marine Park during May.

Reef health

Over the past week, 49 Reef Health Impact Surveys were conducted across six reefs.

In the Northern region, five reefs were surveyed, with low to moderate coral bleaching recorded and low to moderate coral damage observed across all sites.

In the Central region, one reef was surveyed with no bleaching and low coral damage.

Coral disease was recorded on three reefs during this period.

Additional Eye on the Reef monitoring reported coral bleaching on 11 of 14 reefs surveyed across the Marine Park.

Crown-of-thorns starfish control

As of 30 April 2026, the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish Control Program and Reef Joint Field Management Program response teams have surveyed and, where needed, culled starfish on 204 reefs this financial year.

Of these reefs:

• Crown-of-thorns starfish are at sustainable levels on 91 reefs (45%)
• Active culling is underway on 67 reefs (33%) to suppress outbreaks
• 47 reefs (25%) have COTS present and will be targeted based on priority and operational conditions

The program uses a science-based prioritisation process to focus effort on reefs with high ecological and economic value, with the aim of maximising coral protection.