Great Barrier Reef Under Serious Threat

Despite conservation efforts, the future of the Great Barrier Reef

remains in jeopardy as it is under threat. Despite the conservations

efforts and after reports have been released, the Great Barrier Reef

Marine Park authority predicts even greater deterioration to the natural

wonder if major efforts are not undertaken.

Climate change is the main cause of damage; it is bleaching the coral

and lowering the pH of the water, becoming more acidic and rising its

temperature. Also adding to the problem are poor water quality from land run-off, illegal fishing and construction.

The report predicted: “Even with the recent management initiatives to reduce threats and improve resilience, the overall outlook for the

Great Barrier Reef is poor, has worsened since 2009 and is expected to further deteriorate.”

Environmental organisations and conservationists say that great changes are needed to avoid such an outcome.

As the largest coral site in the world (2,600 km or 1,680 miles), the Great Barrier Reef is a Unesco protected World Heritage Site; it

provides marine biologists with a overabundance of rare sea life. It is home to 4,000 types of coral, and at least 1,500 species of fish

and 4,000 species of mollusc. It could well be placed on the Unesco danger list if improvements to its condition are not seen soon.

The Australian government invests A$180 million a year in efforts to maintain the reef, and some notable improvements have been

seen: water pollution has decreased, and species including humpback whales and crocodiles are increasing in number.

An intensive effort over a long period of time has to be made. The reports reinforce there are no quick fixes and it will take time to turn

around the overall health of the reef with a concerted effort from government, industries and communities.

By Adriana Rueda

 Source: The Sydney Morning Herald, BBC News Asia

Image: The Sydney Morning Herald