The GBR is huge. Are you sure you visited the exact same spot (confirmed by GPS coordinates from the trip back in 2007)?
Anecdotally I was also there around 2006/2007 - somewhere near Cairns - and the part I saw was esentially dead, not just bleached. It really depends on where you go.
Btw since many in this thread mention ocean warming I want to mention that after having followed this for many years, and observed changes first hand in different parts of the world, my conclusion is that the main factor is direct human influence, not something more abstract like global warming. Especially water pollution as a result of agriculture, unchecked population growth and tourism.
One of the problems is all the people who say they love the reefs want to go where the reefs are still intact, after other parts have already been destroyed. Which then puts even more pressure on those last remaining healthy reef systems. Just talk to divers and listen to the exotic locations they travel to these days. I think many aren't even aware they're part of the problem. Or maybe they subconsciously shift the blame. Reefs are usually healthiest where there are no or very few people around.
Anecdotally I was also there around 2006/2007 - somewhere near Cairns - and the part I saw was esentially dead, not just bleached. It really depends on where you go.
Btw since many in this thread mention ocean warming I want to mention that after having followed this for many years, and observed changes first hand in different parts of the world, my conclusion is that the main factor is direct human influence, not something more abstract like global warming. Especially water pollution as a result of agriculture, unchecked population growth and tourism.
One of the problems is all the people who say they love the reefs want to go where the reefs are still intact, after other parts have already been destroyed. Which then puts even more pressure on those last remaining healthy reef systems. Just talk to divers and listen to the exotic locations they travel to these days. I think many aren't even aware they're part of the problem. Or maybe they subconsciously shift the blame. Reefs are usually healthiest where there are no or very few people around.