The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world (“About the Great Barrier Reef”). The Reef is located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, and the reef is visible from space. On June 11, 1770, James Cook’s crew became acquainted with the Great Barrier Reef when they struck the Endeavour Reef. They had to spend six weeks repairing the ship on shore at Cooktown. Cook’s crew, which were scientists and illustrators, “were able to carry out very little direct scientific observation of the Reef, but as a result of Cook’s voyage, the international scientific community knew that the Reef existed” (“History of the Great Barrier Reef”). After Cook, William Bligh was the next navigator to chart the Reef. Bligh was trying to
…show more content…
The Reef is home to more than 1,500 species of fish, 215 species of birds, 30 species of dolphins and whales, 133 varieties of sharks and rays, 600 plus types of soft and hard corals, 14 species of sea snakes, and six of the world’s seven marine turtle species. (“The Facts”). “The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was created in 1975 through the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act” (“Great Barrier Reef”). “Most of the Reef is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and various parts of it are protected in certain ways” (“Great Barrier Reef”). In some areas, certain animals are protected and fishing is restricted in some parts. More than 2 million people visit the Reef a year and the Reef supports about 70,000 jobs. The Reef contributes more than $5 billion to the Australian economy annually. The Reef is very important to the economy because of the biodiversity in the ocean and “nearly 3 billion people rely on fish as their major source of protein” (“Oceans”). If we were to lose the Great Barrier Reef people would lose their major source of protein, the Australian economy would lose a significant amount of money, and the Park would close. People would lose their jobs and all the animals in the reef would die unless they migrated to a new ocean. I have always wanted to go to The Great Barrier Reef and going there knowing that 93 percent of the Reef is bleached is sad. If more bleaching occurs to the Reef, I think less people will go there because the Reef is not as colorful as it used to be. The Great Barrier Reef is very essential to Australia and the world because a lot of people depend on it for food, jobs, and a vacation destination and without it we would be at a
The Reef is home to more than 1,500 species of fish, 215 species of birds, 30 species of dolphins and whales, 133 varieties of sharks and rays, 600 plus types of soft and hard corals, 14 species of sea snakes, and six of the world’s seven marine turtle species. (“The Facts”). “The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was created in 1975 through the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act” (“Great Barrier Reef”). “Most of the Reef is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and various parts of it are protected in certain ways” (“Great Barrier Reef”). In some areas, certain animals are protected and fishing is restricted in some parts. More than 2 million people visit the Reef a year and the Reef supports about 70,000 jobs. The Reef contributes more than $5 billion to the Australian economy annually. The Reef is very important to the economy because of the biodiversity in the ocean and “nearly 3 billion people rely on fish as their major source of protein” (“Oceans”). If we were to lose the Great Barrier Reef people would lose their major source of protein, the Australian economy would lose a significant amount of money, and the Park would close. People would lose their jobs and all the animals in the reef would die unless they migrated to a new ocean. I have always wanted to go to The Great Barrier Reef and going there knowing that 93 percent of the Reef is bleached is sad. If more bleaching occurs to the Reef, I think less people will go there because the Reef is not as colorful as it used to be. The Great Barrier Reef is very essential to Australia and the world because a lot of people depend on it for food, jobs, and a vacation destination and without it we would be at a