Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Reef
The reef's ecosystem includes the sea-floor habitats between the reefs, hundreds of contin-
ental islands and coral cays, and coastal beaches, headlands and estuaries. The 2900 reefs
(ranging from less than 1km to 26km in length) that make up the GBR system support truly
astounding biological diversity, with over 1500 species of fish, over 400 species of reef-
building coral, and hundreds of species of mollusc (clams, snails, octopuses), echinoderm
(sea stars, bêches-de-mer, sea urchins), sponge, worm, crustacean and seaweed. The GBR
is also home to marine mammals (dolphins, whales, dugongs), dozens of species of bird,
and six of the planet's seven species of sea turtle. The GBR's 900 or so islands range from
ephemeral, unvegetated or sparsely vegetated sand cays to densely forested cays and con-
tinental islands.
THE GREAT BARRIER REEF MARINE PARK
Established in 1975, the 360,000-sq-km Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (about the same size as Italy) is one of the
best-protected large marine systems on the planet. About 30% of the park is closed and the remainder is open to
commercial and recreational fishing. There are a handful of coastal cities along the reef's southern half (notably
Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Gladstone), some with ports to service cattle and sugar export, and mineral export
and import. Shipping lanes traverse its length and breadth, and ore carriers, cargo ships and cruise liners must use
local marine pilots to reduce the risk of groundings and collisions.
Australia is internationally recognized for its leading management and protection of the Great Barrier Reef: the
marine park is inscribed on the World Heritage List and has an envied program of management led by the Great
Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. But there is an aura of pessimism across the reef-science world, and the ele-
phant in the room is climate change. For comprehensive information and educational tools at all levels, see
