For 500,000 years, the Great Barrier Reef has grown steadily in the cool, clear waters off Australia. But after surviving five glacial periods,
the reef's billions of inhabitants may not survive humanity
. … “Climate change remains the single greatest challenge to the Reef,” states Australia's marine park agency.
Are people allowed to fish in the Great Barrier Reef?
Fishing is allowed in about 70 per cent of the marine park area
, while the remainder is covered by protected zones. … Illegal fishing on the Great Barrier Reef comes in many forms, but the most common was line-fishing, wither with rod and reel, or handline.
Can people fish in the Great Barrier Reef?
Fishing is a long-established and important activity in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. … All fishing activities are required to comply with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan 2003, with approximately 67 per cent of the Marine Park available for various types of fishing.
Why is fishing bad for the Great Barrier Reef?
Overfishing can deplete key reef species and damage coral habitat
. … Rapid human population growth, increased demand, use of more efficient fishery technologies, and inadequate management and enforcement have led to the depletion of key reef species and habitat damage in many locations.
Is commercial fishing allowed on the Great Barrier Reef?
With 750 active
fishing
licences operating in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA), the commercial fishing industry provides essential seafood to local and other markets, and a value of production of $122.9 million in 2011/12 (Deloitte Access Economics, 2013).
Who owns the Great Barrier Reef?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
are the Traditional Owners of the Great Barrier Reef area and have a continuing connection to their land and sea country.
What is killing the Great Barrier Reef?
According to the GBRMPA in 2014, the most significant threat to the status of the Great Barrier Reef is
climate change
, due to the consequential rise of sea temperatures, gradual ocean acidification and an increase in the number of “intense weather events”.
What is killing coral reefs?
Despite their importance,
warming waters, pollution, ocean acidification, overfishing, and physical destruction
are killing coral reefs around the world. … Genetics is also becoming a larger area of coral research, giving scientists hope they might one day restore reefs with more heat tolerant coral.
How are humans destroying the coral reefs?
Most coral reefs occur in shallow water near shore. … Coral reefs face many threats from local sources, including:
Physical damage or destruction from coastal development, dredging, quarrying, destructive fishing practices
How many fish is in the Great Barrier Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef is home to
more than 1,500 species of fish
, 411 types of hard coral, one-third of the world's soft corals, 134 species of sharks and rays, six of the world's seven species of threatened marine turtles
How many fish are caught each year in the Great Barrier Reef?
Fishing on the Great Barrier Reef is part of the identity for Queensland coastal communities and helps support them economically. Commercial fishing is the largest extractive activity in the Marine Park and an important contributor to Australia's seafood industry, with
about 8,000 tonnes of seafood
harvested each year.
Is the Great Barrier Reef polluted?
The
Reef is highly vulnerable
. In the past three decades, it has lost half its coral cover, pollution has caused deadly starfish outbreaks, and global warming has produced horrific coral bleaching. Coastal development also looms as a major threat.
Is the Great Barrier Reef spiritual?
The Great Barrier Reef is
important in the history and culture of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
. … Animals such as dugongs and turtles have long been part of Aboriginal dreaming and are important in many aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture.
Is the Great Barrier Reef significant to Aboriginal people?
The
Great Barrier Reef is important in the history and culture of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples. … Animals such as dugongs and turtles have long been part of Aboriginal dreaming and are important in many aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture.
How far below sea level is the Great Barrier Reef?
On the Great Barrier Reef, the sea level was at its lowest about 21,000 years ago —
118 metres below
the present sea level. During exposure from falling sea levels, the reef migrated up to 1 kilometre seaward to stay underwater.
