Scientists document cyclone damage to reef
Helene Hoffman
Last Updated:
Scientists say the coral reef surrounding the French Polynesian island of Moorea, has been seriously damaged by last month's Category Four, Cyclone Ollie.
They have completed their assessment of the reef and say parts of it may never recover and that could seriously affect future tourism on the island.
Local business owner, Kathleen Kyster, says the reef is unrecognisable.
"The north side is like a lawn mower that went over the reef ... most of the blocks that protrude out and protected the smaller corals underneath were taken away."
One man was killed and more than 4,000 people evacuated when Cyclone Ollie hit; bringing winds up to 200 kilometres an hour and damaging hundreds of homes, south of Tahiti.
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