Great Barrier Reef

In its lifespan of 25 million years, the Great Barrier Reef has been a home to species. The colorful, vibrant habitat is the aquatic sanctuary to over 4,000 different breeds of fish, mollusks, and sponge. Taking the place for the World’s Largest Heritage Area, it is the richest and most diverse ecosystem. Since the reef is constructed through coral, it is extremely frail and prone to being threatened to human activities. In today’s society, the Great Barrier Reef has been decaying to the point where there is a slim possibility of it ever reforming back to its original state. History alone states that human activities are the cause for the destruction of coral reef. Human activities such as overfishing and excessive tourism, joined with dumping have assisted dramatically in the elimination of the ecological community.   With such a fragile ecosystem, it is very substantial that society keeps the reef decontaminated.

    Fishing is a significant element in the way of life for Australians. It has created over 70,000 jobs for the community and profits over $5.8 billion annually.  The most preferred place to fish is off the coast of Queensland, where the Great Barrier Reef is located. This results in overfishing. Overfishing within range of the Great Barrier Reef has caused it to unsettle its natural food chain. With the ten fishing industries located within the Great Barrier Reef region, it leaves many species exposed to potential extinction. Overfishing unsettles the natural flow of the food chain. In illustration, removing too many adult fish leaves an unstable living environment for younger fish allowing larger predators attack them. Nature has a complicated way of keeping the ecosystem balanced and human activities have disrupted it.

        As beautiful as the Great Barrier Reef is, it is obvious that it would attract many people to come see it. Studies say that “The Great Barrier Reef generated $5.7 billion in revenue for Australia in 2012 from tourism” Australia has established over 15 residential islands located nearby the Great Barrier Reef to acquire more profit. The most common type of debris collected on the coasts of the Great Barrier Reef is plastic. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Authority states, “Plastic is the most prevalent type of marine debris found on beaches worldwide, comprising between 50 to 90 per cent by number of all debris items recorded”. Tourism impacts the reef by allowing negligent tourists entering the natural environment, polluting it with litter. The litter is then consumed by the animals in the ecosystem that innocently mistake it for food resulting it clogging up their intestines. Litter can also destroy the coral’s sensitive structure and trap marine life. Not to mention, litter affects the enchantment of the Great Barrier Reef which would plummet the revenue.