Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has confirmed at their annual conference that chartered yachts are not responsible for coral bleaching. Chartered tours to the UNESCO world heritage site are welcome and activities in the various zones have not been affected.

Studies on the process of coral bleaching have found that coral exposed to high temperatures over a period of weeks undergoes stress. The ongoing stress to the organism may lead to initially vivid pink, blue and yellow hues in the coral, followed by bleaching and possibly death. 2016 has produced high temperatures in the oceans, with little cooling from monsoon rains.

Various sites across the Great Barrier Reef are undergoing monitoring and further tests to improve recovery, and observations have uncovered that the most damaged parts of the reef are in areas that yachts rarely visit, putting to rest fears that boating activities and water sports are the direct cause.

The conference also discussed increasing the available marine services at the popular tourist destination, in order to make the reef more accessible and environmentally friendly to visitors wishing to take a luxury yacht charter. The Cayman Islands have undertaken similar developments, including increasing moorings, in efforts to prevent coral damage which may occur when chartered vessels drop anchor.

Visit the Great Barrier Reef in comfort and style aboard one of the many chartered superyachts available in the Australia and New Zealand region. Contact CharterWorld today, or search for charters to find out more.