GREAT BARRlER REEF - Saint Ignatius' Moodle Community

The Great Barrier Reef has been through many changes over millions of
years. Since the 1900s, many important laws have been introduced to
protect the Reef.
Date Event Date Event Date Event Date Event
8
500 000
years
ago
1770
1800
1900
500 000 years ago
The sea floor on which the Reef sits is
formed.
60 000 years ago
People begin living along the coast.
8000–6000 years ago
The sea level reaches its current height and
the Reef as we know it today begins to form.
1770
British explorer,
Captain James
Cook, runs aground
on the Reef.
1800s
Coral islands in the Reef are mined for
guano (bird dung), which is used for
fertiliser, and lighthouses are built.
1911
The SS Yongala sinks in the central Reef
during a cyclone, with 122 passengers and
crew lost.
1928
The first major scientific investigation of the
Reef is carried out.
1930
1950
1960
1970
1930s
The first hotel resorts are built on islands of
the Reef.
1952
The Fisheries Act
protects all turtle
species and
dugongs in the
Reef from
commercial fishing.
1960
The Whaling Act protects right, humpback
and blue whales from commercial fishing
and restricts the taking of fin, sei and sperm
whales.
1960s
Scientists first become aware of damage
to the Reef from crown-of-thorns starfish
outbreaks.
1963
Applications for oil and mineral exploration
in the Reef trigger protests from the
community.
1971
Mining and drilling operations in the Reef
area are suspended. They are later banned.
1975
1980
1990
2000
1975
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
(GBRMPA) and Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park are are formed to protect the Reef and
its surrounding waters.
1981
The Reef is added to the World Heritage List
by the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
1983
The first permit for traditional hunting
and fishing in the Reef is issued,
acknowledging Indigenous people’s
longstanding use of the sea for food.
1994
The first native title claims are lodged for
areas within the Reef.
1998
Warmer sea temperatures cause major coral
bleaching.
2001
Under Queensland
regulations,
commercial trawling
operations in the
Reef must now be
fitted with devices in their nets to help
reduce bycatch.
2002
2005
2010
2002
Warmer sea
temperatures
cause major
coral bleaching.
2003
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning
Plan is introduced, restricting human
activities in some areas.
2005
The first agreement allowing traditional
owners to continue traditional hunting
of protected turtle and dugong species is
signed.
2006
Coral bleaching occurs in the southern Reef
region.
2009
The Great Barrier Reef Protection
Amendment Bill is introduced to reduce
pollution in catchment run-off. Some critics
argue that the Bill discriminates against
farmers.
2010
MV Shen Neng 1 runs aground in the
southern Reef.
9
Macmillan Digital Library: What’s the Issue? Set 2 © Michelle Atkins, Julie Murphy, Greg Reid, Geoff Thompson, Ashten Warfe/Macmillan Publishers Australia 2011 ISBN 978 1 4202 9209 1 Macmillan Digital Library: What’s the Issue? Set 2 © Michelle Atkins, Julie Murphy, Greg Reid, Geoff Thompson, Ashten Warfe/Macmillan Publishers Australia 2011 ISBN 978 1 4202 9209 1