Great Barrier Reef damage ‘unbelievable, we've never seen anything like this’

[Barrett808]

The damage done by Cyclone Yasi to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia's top attraction, will take decades to fully mend, according to a growing number of scientists—which could reduce both visitor numbers and the local fishing industry's catches.

In the worst-hit areas "there was hardly a coral to be found left alive," said Paul Marshall, a reef ecologist who coordinated a survey on the storm's impact for the Great Barrier Marine Park Authority.

"Big piles of coral rubble and broken plates had been ripped off the reef and tossed about or dumped at the bottom of the reef in piles," he said. "That was pretty heart-wrenching to see. ..."

The cyclone hit at a particularly bad time for the reef, which scientists say suffered from the outflow of fresh water as well as pollution from devastating floods that washed across the state and threatened the regional capital of Brisbane. ...

Great Barrier Reef damage ‘unbelievable, we've never seen anything like this’

[BarbaRosa]

1. Damn, that is so sad.

I spent some of the most idyllic days of my life as a teenager snorkeling the GBR and exploring the east coast of Australia. So sad.

[itsrobert]

2. Don't worry

With advent of 3-D/4-D simulators you will be able to holodeck into a simulated reality undersea world where your real-life snorkeling experience will be dwarf in comparison.