New findings from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) reveal that recent mass coral bleaching events, coupled with two cyclones and significant flooding, have caused “substantial coral mortality” in parts of the Great Barrier Reef. Between August and October, researchers conducted underwater surveys across 19 reefs spanning from Lizard Island to Cardwell. In 12 of these reefs, coral mortality rates reached as high as 72 percent, the data confirmed on Tuesday. One particularly