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Many of the human activities that help Australia’s economy threaten the Great Barrier Reef. Management decisions aim to balance the protection of the Reef with its sustainable use. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which is 344 400 square kilometres in size, was formed in 1975. It includes reefs, sea areas, islands and many other habitats. It is jointly managed by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), which was also created in 1975. The GBRMPA makes management decisions and laws to ensure the Park is protected and its use is sustainable. Around 100 officers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) enforce these laws throughout the Park. The cost of protection In 2010, the Australian Government dedicated $48 million to the long-term protection and sustainable use of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. World Heritage protection In 1981, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognised the Great Barrier Reef’s outstanding value by declaring it a World Heritage Site. Australia agreed to be responsible for protecting the Reef for the world’s benefit. Conservation and research programs were encouraged to support Australia’s mission. Management of the Great Barrier Reef In 2009, an independent study found that effective management of the Reef is being limited by a number of factors. For different management areas, assessors observed a lack of overall planning, resources, coordination, information and enforcement. Challenges for park managers Park managers face many challenges. For example, only 100 officers patrol the whole Park. Also, numerous factors threaten the Reef, and some come from beyond the Park where managers have little authority. In addition, effective decisions must be based on a broad but thorough understanding of many subjects and gaps still exist in our scientific knowledge. 16 A park officer’s job includes monitoring water quality, as well as educating visitors, performing maintenance duties, patrolling and issuing permits and fines. To monitor the health of the Great Barrier Reef closely and effectively, many more officers would be needed. 17 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 fragile Great Barrier Reef ecosystem is under stress and its health is declining. Reduced water quality Healthy coral reef ecosystems need clean saltwater. Catchment run-off from nearby farms is introducing soil sediment, fertiliser and pesticide poisons into the Reef’s waters. The water is becoming cloudier, which prevents sunlight from reaching the corals. Climate change is increasing water temperature, making it more acidic, and raising the sea level. These factors are working together to kill marine animal and plant species. It is also making them more vulnerable to disease. For much of the Great Barrier Reef, the chemical environment has deteriorated significantly, especially close to developed areas. This trend is expected to continue. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Outlook Report, 2009 Threatened species So few of some species are left in parts of the Great Barrier Reef that they are in danger of becoming extinct in the region. Examples include triton shells, barramundi, some sharks, turtles and dugongs. Numbers of plant-eating dugongs are so low in the southern Reef region that the plant populations have been affected. The food web and whole Reef ecosystem have changed, perhaps forever. Threatened dugongs Dugongs were commercially hunted in the Great Barrier Reef until 1976. More recently, deaths have been caused by accidental capture in fishing nets, illegal hunting, pollution, disease and injury by boats. South of Cooktown, only 3 per cent remain compared to 40 years ago. The effect of pollution on the Great Barrier Reef’s water Aspect of water quality Change observed Effect Sediment Increased four to five times since European settlement Clouds water, killing corals Nitrogen Phosphorous pH Increased two to five times since European settlement Increased four to ten times since European settlement Decreased 0.1 units (becoming more acidic) since European settlement Promotes seaweed growth, smothering corals Promotes seaweed growth, smothering corals Decreases building of coral skeletons Sea temperature Has risen for long periods twice since 2002 Coral bleaching Sea level Increased 3 milllimetres per year since 1991 Ultimately blocks light, killing corals 18 The number of dugongs in the southern Great Barrier Reef remains low, despite protection areas being set up and Indigenous Australians agreeing to decrease traditional hunting. 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 19
Page 1 and 2: Contents What’s the issue? Great
Page 3 and 4: The Great Barrier Reef is not a sin
Page 5 and 6: The Great Barrier Reef is the world
Page 7: The Great Barrier Reef is an import
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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