Table of Contents
How are humans affecting the GBR?
Pollution, overfishing, destructive fishing practices using dynamite or cyanide, collecting live corals for the aquarium market, mining coral for building materials, and a warming climate are some of the many ways that people damage reefs all around the world every day.
How do tourists damage the Great Barrier Reef?
When tourists accidently touch, pollute or break off parts of the reef, corals experience stress. When dirt and debris are deposited into the ocean, they pollute marine ecosystems and block the sunlight algae need for photosynthesis. When light is blocked, the immobile coral reefs bleach and die.
How are we destroying the Great Barrier Reef?
The coal industry is accelerating global warming by mining and burning coal, and is putting the future of the Reef at risk. In 2016, warming oceans caused the worst coral bleaching event in history on the Great Barrier Reef and almost a quarter of the Reef’s coral died.
How Has overfishing affected 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.
What is damaging the Great Barrier Reef?
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.
How has pollution affected the Great Barrier Reef?
Pollution can smother coral reefs, lower water quality, and make corals more susceptible to disease. When sediment and other pollutants enter the water, they smother coral reefs, speed the growth of damaging algae, and lower water quality.
What has affected the Great Barrier Reef?
Rising water temperatures, increasing ocean acidification, Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS), fishing, and coastal development are also impacting the Great Barrier Reef.
How does the GBR affect Australia’s economy?
The Great Barrier Reef has a economic, social and icon asset value of $56 billion. It supports 64,000 jobs and contributes $6.4 billion to the Australian economy. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on Earth.
Why is the GBR at risk?