GREAT BARRlER REEF - Saint Ignatius' Moodle Community

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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
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem. It makes up about one tenth of the world’s coral reefs. It is one of the places with the greatest biodiversity in the world. High biodiversity The Great Barrier Reef is home to many rare animal and plant species. It has more than 10 000 animal species and around 500 species of seaweed. Like all fish species living in the Great Barrier Reef, this Potato cod is vulnerable to changes in the ecosystem. Approximate number of species living in the Great Barrier Reef Type of plant or animal Corals 400 Seaweed 500 Fish 1500 Molluscs (e.g. shellfish) 5000 Echinoderms (e.g. sea urchins and sea stars) 600 Mammals (e.g. whales, dolphins) 31 Birds 200 Reptiles Number of species 6 species of sea turtles, 14 species of sea snakes Habitats in the Great Barrier Reef The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park includes many habitats, such as coral reefs, seagrass meadows, deep ocean areas, shorelines and islands. These habitats help to maintain biodiversity by providing species with shelter, feeding grounds and nesting sites. Biological resources Humans use the rich biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef for food, employment, income and enjoyment. The Great Barrier Reef’s ecosystem is particularly important to the Australian tourism and fishing industries – without it they would probably collapse. I’m fortunate in that I’ve lived a time when it was there in all of its beauty and providing masses and masses of … fish for people to eat. Frank Cooper, small scale commercial fisher, 2007 10 This shark relies on its reef habitat for shelter and food. Life on the Reef is in delicate balance, so any change that has an impact on one species can affect others, which can affect our fishing and tourism industries. 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 11
Page 1 and 2: Contents What’s the issue? Great
Page 3: The Great Barrier Reef is not a sin
Page 7 and 8: The Great Barrier Reef is an import
Page 9 and 10: The fragile Great Barrier Reef ecos
Page 11 and 12: Despite fishing restrictions and zo
Page 13 and 14: Some issues are not serious now but
Page 15 and 16: There are two sides to every issue.
Page 17: A acidification 21, 28 acidity 5, 1

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