Fiji's reefs were affected by bleaching in 1998 and in 2000 with some areas worse hit than others. According to Dr Robin Cumming, a biology lecturer at USP, while Fiji had experienced bleaching in the past, recent episodes were much bigger than previous events. A team of marine scientists, including Dr Cumming, flew over Fiji in late April 2000 to gauge the extent of the problem. They reported that the reefs in the south and south-east of the country were the worst hit. One scientist, Dr Nick Dulvy also from USP, said that at least 12 per cent of coral in the Beqa Lagoon in Fiji's east, had died as a result of bleaching. Fiji-based marine biologist Ed Lovell was reported saying that most of the bleached coral would survive to reproduce.