an estimated 95 to 98 percent of the coral in the Keppel

Islands, part of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, is suffering from

a bleaching episode.  basically, the algae that live in coral

and give coral its colors, are killed by hotter-than-usual

water temperatures.  if the algae do not return within a

month or so, the corals themselves may begin to die.

     Australia has just experienced its warmest year on record and

abnormally high sea temperatures during summer have caused massive

coral bleaching in the Keppels. Sea temperatures touched 84

Fahrenheit, the upper limit for coral.  Source.

bleached coral in the great barrier reef

   these bleaching episodes started in 1998, and have continued as the

average ocean temperatures continue to rise.  the Caribbean has also

suffered bleaching, but not to the extent the Great Barrier Reef has.

   will there be a time soon when the reefs off Bonaire, Grand Cayman,

and Roatan, will be void of coral? 

    i must admit it does not look good.