Climate Change
Altering the negative effects of climate change is a global effort and should be conscious daily choice for everyone. Individuals can be energy efficient, choose renewable power, trim their waste, and support/donate to professional organizations are working to halt the change of our climate. |
Pollution
Placing sanctions on the use of sediment, pesticides, and eutrophication (farming fertilizer) is a simple way to control surrounding pollution and has been done by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Mining is also a large cause of pollution, specifically the Queensland Nickel mining company who released 516 tones of nitrate-laden water into the area in 2009 and 2011. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has strongly encouraged the company to investigate options that do not entail releasing the material to the environment, however legislative control over the waste management of this company. Peaceful protests have been conducted to raise awareness and try to stop this company from dumping their waste. |
Crown-of-thorns
Crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks are worsened by poor water quality and overfishing of the starfish's predators. Since the Great Barrier Reef is a Marine Protected area, overfishing is not a serious concern; marine park officials should also monitor water quality very closely in order to keep these threatening starfish in low numbers. |
Overfishing
As of the middle of 2004, approximately one-third of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is protected from species removal of any kind, including fishing, without written permission. being a Marine Protected, the Great Barrier Reef is completely controled from overfising, however close by areas are still under this risk. |
Shipping
Commercial shipping within the Great Barrier Reef is subject to stringent management arrangements. The the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority along with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and Maritime Safety Queensland, administer special measures under international and domestic law to regulate ship activities. |
Tourism
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service manage all tourism activities on the Great Barrier Reef. These two organizations monitor tourism impacts, and implement permits when necessary. Permits have been used as the principle tool for management of tourism, with conditions applying to any permits that are granted. |