Tropical Cyclone Narelle (currently Category 5) has developed in the Coral Sea and is forecast to decrease to a Category 4 before crossing the Far Northern region of the Marine Park and making landfall on Friday. The system is expected to bring strong wind and wave action and heavy rainfall, which are likely to damage some reefs and increase the likelihood of freshwater runoff into the Marine Park.

Sea surface temperatures have eased slightly over the past week, particularly in the Northern region (between Innisfail and just above Cooktown), while remaining relatively stable elsewhere.

Encouragingly, coral bleaching alert levels have eased in recent days. The USA’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which monitors ocean temperatures globally, has downgraded the Far Northern and Northern regions to bleaching watch  ...