Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
At the Crossroads
These are tough times in which to be a coral reef. In the last three decades the GBR has en-
dured more severe cyclones than in the whole of the last century (and more can be expected
in the changed climate of the 21st century); recurrent outbreaks of coral-devouring crown-
of-thorns starfish; two major coral-bleaching events caused by unusually hot water temper-
atures; and record-breaking floods that washed huge volumes of fresh water, sediments,
fertilisers and other farm chemicals into the sea, triggering blooms of light-blocking plank-
ton and disrupting the ecological relationships that keep coral reefs vibrant and resilient.
With all this going on, it's no surprise that a bit of web surfing could give the impression
that the GBR is suffering more than other reefs around the world. But the plethora of in-
formation about risks to the reef simply reflects the amount of research, government invest-
ment and national commitment to tackling the challenge rather than pretending that
everything is OK. It is an unfortunate reality that damaged reefs are easier to find now than
they were 30 years ago. But the GBR is still one of the best places in the world to see coral
reefs, especially if you have one of the hundreds of accredited tourism operators show you
around. A recent study by the volunteer reef-monitoring group Reef Check Australia found
that the amount of coral at 70% of dive sites monitored between 2001 and 2011 either re-
mained the same or increased. Like every reef around the world, the GBR is in trouble -
but in this case scientists, reef managers, coastal residents and even visitors are joining
forces to help the reef through the challenges of the century ahead.
