One reef has been reclassified as 'non-outbreaking' in the Cape Upstart sector. A list of reefs surveyed in the Townsville and Cape Upstart sectors are detailed in Long-Term Monitoring Status report number 2 summary , Sweatman 1997. Three other reefs were surveyed in the Whitsunday sector. Pandora Reef was surveyed in February, so results are not included in this report. Broadscale surveys were undertaken on nine reefs in this sector.
Coral cover remains stable on most reefs.
Coral bleaching was observed to some extent on all reefs surveyed. The highest levels of bleaching were seen on the inshore reefs where bleaching affected up to 75 per cent of coral cover on some reefs. Less bleaching was apparent on midshelf reefs and little bleaching occurred on outer shelf reefs. On those reefs where bleaching was common there appeared to be a hierarchy of corals affected depending on the extent of the bleaching and the species present. Havannah Island and Middle Reef had extensive bleaching over the entire reef area, particularly in the shallower areas.